Baker & Brown, PLLC

WVAJ Mid-Winter Seminar

Sarah K. Brown — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 21:46:46 +0000

Last week, I attended the West Virginia Association for Justice Mid-Winter Seminar. The West Virginia Association for Justice represents plaintiffs attorneys and works to ensure that the legal system remains open and fair for West Virginians. The attorneys who comprise the WVAJ work to promote the rights and interests of consumers and employees against powerful corporate interests. I was inspired by the opportunity to meet with and learn from these advocates.

During the two-day seminar, I attended sessions on consumer rights litigation, medical malpractice, family law, protective orders, and successor liability. I also heard updates on the latest issues to face West Virginia trial courts, recent decisions from the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia, and upcoming legislation from the West Virginia State Senate and House Judiciary committees.

Presenters included The Honorable Margaret Workman, Justice of the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals, The Honorable Joseph R. Goodwin, Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia, The Honorable Phillip M. Stowers, Judge of the West Virginia 29th Circuit Court, The Honorable Omar J. Aboulhosn, Judge of the West Virginia 9th Circuit Court, Senator Jeffrey V. Kessler, Chair of the West Virginia Senate Judiciary Committee, and Delegate Timothy R. Miley, Chair of the West Virginia House Judiciary Committee.

WVAJ also hosted two receptions during the seminar: one for young lawyers at Vandalia Grille and another for members of the West Virginia Legislature at the Marriott. I enjoyed these opportunities to meet and mingle with other West Virginia attorneys and legislators.

New Year, New Challenge

Kevin Baker — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 19:29:27 +0000

Happy New Year! 2010 brings a new year of excitement to Baker & Brown and a new challenge as well. In addition to continuing our case work and taking new clients, I will be working as a per diem attorney in the West Virginia Legislature for the Senate Judiciary Committee. I am excited about the opportunity to work with our state legislators, especially Chairman Kessler, and the Senate Judiciary Committee staff to help draft bills and contribute to the process of improving the laws of West Virginia. Needless to say, it will make life very busy during the legislative session, but it is a challenge that I welcome, and I am eager to get started.

WV Supreme Court Sides with Baker & Brown

Sarah K. Brown — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:04:54 +0000

In an opinion released yesterday, the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia found that overt acts of physical violence are not a prerequisite to obtaining a domestic violence protective order. Baker & Brown asserted this position in an amicus brief filed on behalf of the West Virginia Coalition Against Domestic Violence. In its opinion, the Court held that “[t]he act of domestic violence defined in West Virginia Code 48–27-202 (5) (2001) as ‘[h]olding, confining, detaining or abducting another person against that person’s will’ does not require proof of some overt physical exertion on the part of the alleged offender in order to justify issuance of a protective order.”

The case, Kimberly Thomas v. Joseph B. Morris, No. 35141, will be remanded to the Family Court of Clay County for the court to issue the petitioner a protective order. Baker & Brown is proud to have played a role in ensuring that West Virginia law protects all those threatened by domestic violence.

A copy of the amicus brief filed by Baker & Brown is available on the Court’s website.

The full text of the Court’s opinion is available here.

Read the Gazette’s coverage of the case here.

We the People

Sarah K. Brown — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 21:17:54 +0000

I am very excited to serve as a mentor to a team of students from Herbert Hoover High School participating in the We the People program. We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution is a national instructional program administered by the Center for Civic Education, a nonprofit organization seeking to promote civic competence and responsibility in students. As a mentor to a team, I will teach the students basic legal and Constitutional issues and assist in explaining judicial opinions. The program culminates with a simulated congressional hearing, allowing students to showcase their knowledge on a constitutional topic. District and state-wide competitions will take place in February.

Other attorneys interested in participating in We the People should contact Rebecca M. Tinder, We the People State Coordinator, at (304) 347‑2132 or rtinder@bowlesrice.com.

Common Consumer Law Issues

Kevin Baker — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 20:44:59 +0000

Have you ever been harassed by debt collectors? Many will call at all hours of the day and night and call multiple times. Some will make threats, false statements, misrepresent the debt that you owe (or maybe even claim you owe money that you simply do not). I was reminded at the NCLC Consumer Rights Litigation Conference that this happens all too often. Luckily, together we can work to stop the phone calls and the harassment.

The West Virginia Consumer Credit and Protection Act and the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act protect consumers from illegal conduct by debt collectors. At Baker & Brown, we want to help you escape the ongoing harassment of debt collectors and move on with your life. If creditors are calling you with these types of debt collection practices, or anything similar, we may be able to help. Call us today or contact us through the form on the right side of this webpage to set up a free consultation.

Consumer Rights Litigation Conference

Kevin Baker — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 14:34:39 +0000

I am traveling to Philadelphia this week for the National Consumer Law Center’s Consumer Rights Litigation Conference. At the conference, I will hear lectures from and have conversations with many of the country’s foremost experts in consumer rights law. Some of the legal topics covered include unfair mortgage practices, the fair credit reporting act, illegal debt collection tactics, and the truth in lending act. In addition, I will have the opportunity to get tips on many aspects of litigation, such as pre-trial litigation strategy, cross-examining expert witnesses, measuring and establishing damages in consumer law cases, and preserving a record for appeal.

This conference will be a great opportunity to learn about cutting edge issues in consumer rights litigation from the best consumer advocates in the nation. I am excited to take part in the conference and thrilled to bring back what I learn to help consumers in West Virginia.

Baker & Brown file amicus brief on behalf of WVCADV

Sarah K. Brown — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 20:54:33 +0000

Working in a pro bono capacity, Baker & Brown recently filed an amicus brief in the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals on behalf of the West Virginia Coalition Against Domestic Violence. The case, Kimberly Thomas v. Joseph B. Morris, No. 35141, provides the Court with the opportunity to define what constitutes domestic violence under West Virginia Code § 48–27-202(5). We are proud to partner with an organization that provides important services, resources, and support to many West Virginians.

The Court will hear oral argument in the case on Wednesday, October 7, 2009. A copy of the brief is available on the Supreme Court’s website.

Guys Night Out

Kevin Baker — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 22:04:56 +0000

I am proud to serve as a member of the 4th Annual Guys Night Out committee and excited that the event is coming up soon: October 1. The Guys Night Out event is an annual fundraiser for the YWCA Sojourner’s Shelter, a homeless shelter for single women, women with children, men with custody of their children, and intact families. Sojourner’s is an extremely important shelter for the Charleston and surrounding communities and this fundraiser brings in much needed support to help keep the shelter running effectively. The event not only raises money for an important cause, but is also a lot of fun. Everyone will gather outside to watch the WVU-Colorado game on big screen TVs with tons of wings, beverages, a pig roast, pizzas, raffle items, and games. There really is nothing like being able to go out for a great night while making a difference for the community at the same time. I encourage all area guys to come on out to Guys Night Out. You can get more information and tickets at the YWCA website.

Grand Opening!

Kevin Baker — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 12:56:12 +0000

On September 1, 2009, Baker & Brown, PLLC opened its doors and began accepting clients. Located in the Chase Tower in downtown Charleston, the firm is easily accessible by car or bus. Parking is available in the Chase Tower garage (entrance on Summers Street between Kanawha Boulevard and Virginia Street) or at metered street parking. The Kanawha Valley Regional Transport Authority’s (KRT) many buses provide an alternative means of visiting our offices. The Laidley Transit Mall on Laidley Street between Quarrier and Lee Streets is just a short walk from our office. For a consultation or to schedule an appointment, contact us using the web form on this page or by phone at 304–344-5400.

Kevin Baker

Kevin Baker — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 23:30:03 +0000

Kevin Baker

Kevin was born and raised in Beckley, West Virginia. A graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School, Kevin completed undergraduate degrees in Government and Computer Science from Wesleyan University before moving to Washington, DC. Before attending law school, Kevin worked for Senator Jay Rockefeller and Congressman Nick Rahall. Kevin then followed in the footsteps of both his grandfather and West Virginia’s own Senator Robert C. Byrd and attended American University Washington College of Law.

While in law school, Kevin worked for AARP’s Legal Counsel for the Elderly, the District of Columbia public schools, prominent labor law firm Bredhoff & Kaiser, the United Mine Workers of America, and the Washington College of Law’s criminal defense clinic. After graduating magna cum laude and Order of the Coif, Kevin worked as a law clerk to The Honorable Joseph R. Goodwin, Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia.

Kevin currently serves as a committee member for the YWCA of Charleston’s Guys Night Out event supporting Sojourner’s Shelter.