Governor Receives Report On Judicial Reform 

“The last major reforms of our judicial system were more than three decades ago and it was time for a comprehensive look at our state’s judicial needs and any changes to be considered for the 21st century,” Manchin said. “I am very grateful to Justice O’Connor, Carte Goodwin and the entire commission for taking the time to gather this information and prepare this report. The input they received from citizens and the legal community at the public meetings will be invaluable to us. I look forward to working with the judicial and legislative branches as we move forward with any recommendations.”

The governor established the commission by his executive order on April 3, 2009 to “study the need for broad systemic judicial reforms including, but not limited to, adopting a merit-based system of judicial selection, enacting judicial campaign finance reforms or reporting requirements, creating an intermediate court of appeals, proposing constitutional amendments or establishing a court of chancery.”

Manchin said he appreciated the hard work of the panel’s nine members, which included retired U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, who served as honorary chair. Commission members are:

Sandra Day O’Connor, Honorary Chair; Carte Goodwin, Chair, Former General Counsel for Gov. Joe Manchin and currently an attorney at Goodwin & Goodwin; Joyce McConnell, Dean of West Virginia College of Law; Sandra Chapman, President of the West Virginia State Bar; Thomas Heywood, Esq.; Marvin Masters, Esq.; Mary McQueen, President National Center for State Courts; Andy MacQueen, Esq.; John McCuskey, Esq.; Caprice Roberts, Associate Dean West Virginia University College of Law.

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