MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — A longtime member of the Kanawha County Board of Education visited Morgantown as part of his campaign for a judgeship on the West Virginia Intermediate Court of Appeals.
Charleston attorney Ryan White met with the Monongalia County Commissioners during their final meeting in February, where he discussed his goals if he’s elected to the non-partisan position during the 2024 Primary Election. This was one of several stops as part of a tour of the Morgantown area, where he also met with community members to explain the fairly new part of the West Virginia Court System and how his years of legal experience can be used to benefit the bench.
“It’s a very important position, I’ve always wanted to be a judge, I’ve been more interested in reading opinions, analyzing the law, and deciding issues of law,” said White. “That’s what I decided to run for the Intermediate Court.”
White has served as an attorney in West Virginia for over a decade, where he has gained an increased focus on case analysis related to decisions made by the State Supreme Court and State Circuit Courts. His work with business and economic related law also carried over into his legal experience, which he feels can give a unique perspective to the bench. Along with a hope to explore opportunities to increase affordable housing options, White aims to hear every case equally to help continue growth in the Mountain State.
“A focus on economic development, finance, anything that basically gets West Virginia in a better place,” said White of his legal strengths. “I like to do transactions that build stuff in West Virginia,” he said.
The Intermediate Court of Appeals began accepting its first cases in the summer of 2022 after it was established to assist caseloads for both the State Supreme and Circuit Courts. The Intermediate Court of Appeals hears noncriminal appeals of circuit court cases, family court cases, and guardianships and conservatorships. The court also hears appeals of administrative law judge decisions and final orders and decisions by the state Health Care Authority. The intermediate court also replaces the Workers’ Compensation Office of Administrative Judges with a Workers’ Compensation Board of Review, from which decisions can be appealed to the intermediate court.
“Handling like family law and administrative law, they cover those cases, and then there’s also a right to appeal for those civil cases as well,” said White on what the Intermediate Court of Appeals handles.
White will face Wheeling attorney and former State Republican Party Chair Elgine McArdle and fellow Charleston attorney Mychal Schultz during the 2024 Primary Election on May 14. Whoever wins the election will serve in the seat occupied by Judge Tom Scarr after he announced he would not seek the full 10-year term. With the winner set to become the first elected member of the state Intermediate Court of Appeals, White aims to continue to reach out to voters, describe how the courts benefit the Mountain State, and explain why he is the best candidate to serve on the bench.
“I’ve been meeting with people, calling people, talking to people, and saying ‘look this is what the court is, this is what I’m going to be doing’,” said White. “I’m explaining what I do and (presenting) my public service history,” he said.