Basic Fairness

TRIAL LAWYERS ASSOCIATION NAMES CHIEF JUSTICE STARCHER TO NATIONAL JUDICIAL INDEPENDENCE COMMITTEE

CHARLESTON, W.Va.--- The Association of Trial Lawyers of America (ATLA) has named Chief Justice Larry V. Starcher of the Supreme Court of Appeals to the National Judicial Independence Committee. Fifteen jurists from the highest courts in their states and 15 ATLA leaders comprise the committee.

The committee will develop a program to educate the public and policymakers about the importance of an independent judiciary. The committee also will consider how the trial bar can help respond to unjust criticism of judges and courts. Chief Justice Starcher attended the committee's first full meeting in San Antonio, Texas this past weekend.

The issue of public trust and confidence in the judicial process is an issue of concern not only to ATLA, but to other national legal organizations. In addition to serving on the ATLA committee, Chief Justice Starcher is also serving on a national committee of chief justices preparing for a national conference on Public Trust and Confidence in the Justice System. This conference, sponsored by the Conference of State Supreme Court Chief Justices and the American Bar Association, will be held in Washington, D.C. on May 13-15, 1999.

:: Back to Eye on WV Justice