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What's New In West Virginia

"We're Not Afraid of Change" says West Virginia Governor

"West Virginia is now truly open for business", said Governor Joe Manchin, III in his recent interview with American Justice Partnership, "Whatever your perception may have been, take another look at us."

In this newly available video interview, Gov. Manchin talks frankly about the impact of reform in his state through a coalition between members of the business community which brought about reform success. The Governor shares his hope to provide jobs, and protect the rights of his citizens while bringing together facets of labor and business in order to continue the rising tide of legal reform success from 2005.

Governor Manchin adds, "We're not afraid to change in West Virginia, change is good, and we know that as long as we're trying to help people and make things better, we're not afraid to make a mistake".

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ATRA Releases Judicial Hellholes 2005

(Courtesy ATRA) The fourth annual "Judicial Hellholes®" report, a ranking of the worst courts in the United States, was released earlier this week by the American Tort Reform Association.

The overwhelming majority of state courts dispense justice in a fair and impartial manner. By way of contrast, Judicial Hellholes are a few, but powerful, courts that have a disproportionately harmful impact on civil litigation. Litigation tourists, who neither lived nor were injured in these jurisdictions, are guided by their personal injury lawyers who seek out these places because they know they will produce a positive outcome, an excessive verdict or settlement, a favorable precedent, or both. This is venue shopping run wild.

"It is possible to quench the fires in Judicial Hellholes with the help of judges, legislators, the electorate and the media," said Sherman Joyce, President of the American Tort Reform Association (ATRA). "By shining the spotlight on the abuses in these jurisdictions, Judicial Hellholes can become fair courts.”

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AJP Chairman Urges West Virginians

To Support Expanded Legal Reforms

On September 2, 2005, American Justice Partnership Chairman Steve Hantler spoke on the importance of legal reform for West Virginia at the 69th Annual Meeting of the West Virginia State Chamber of Commerce. Hantler spoke frankly about the "balancing the needs of both consumers and business" in order to create a successful business environment for the state.

West Virginia currently ranks #4 on the American Tort Reform Association's "Judicial Hellhole" list. It is the only statewide Hellhole on ATRA's list; however, Governor Joe Manchin and the legislature have made significant strides to improve the legal landscape in the past few years. Despite these substantial efforts in the past year, the state still has a substantial amount of work ahead in order to be removed from the list.

As Hantler commented in his speech, "The best piece of tort reform legislation is only as good as the next supreme court that strikes it down...what business needs from legal reform is predictability from judges."

The West Virginia Chamber of Commerce is a member of the American Justice Partnership.

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Available Media

Partner Spotlight: *Audio Interviews*
		Open For Business Steve Roberts West Virginia Chamber of Commerce Steve shares with us the political and legislative outlook for West Virginia in 2007 and discusses the role the state supreme court plays in protecting legislative success. Listen to Interview

AJP Films: *Video Interviews*

Joe Manchin		Governor Joe Manchin Governor, West Virginia Gov. Manchin talks about the progress made in West Virginia in the area of legal reform and the importance of of the continuing effort to improve the business climate of the state. Play Quicktime Version of Video

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The American Justice Partnership is a national nonprofit coalition of leading corporations, think tanks, foundations, trade associations, individuals and organizations advocating for legal reform at the state level. AJP is an affiliate of the National Association of Manufacturers.

If you know of or have authored an article or report that deserves recognition among corporate and public policy leaders, please send an email to LegalReform@lawexec.com. Original material © 2007 American Justice Partnership.