Supreme Court (2) (West Virginia)
Elizabeth Walker
Contact: (304) 389-0560
Website: www.walkerforsupremecourt.com
| Name: | Elizabeth Walker |
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| Party: | Republican |
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| Home City: | Charleston, W.Va. |
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| Home County: | Kanawha |
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Biography:
Beth is a partner with Bowles Rice McDavid Graff & Love LLP and has received numerous professional recognitions. She has been elected to several significant leadership positions at Bowles Rice. She been actively involved in many community organizations including Girl Scouts of Black Diamond Council and Leadership West Virginia.
Personal Statement:
- What changes, if any, would you like to see in the way judges are selected?
- The state would be well-served if the legislature would give careful consideration to making election of judges nonpartisan, as permitted by Article VIII, Section 2 of the West Virginia Constitution.
- Do you believe that the current language in the Code of Judicial Conduct regarding contributions to judicial candidates' campaigns is adequate to insure impartiality on the bench? Please explain.
- Yes. The Code places significant and important restrictions on the conduct and activities of candidates and judges. I am committed to following these rules. In addition, I recognize the importance of good judgment and adherence to high moral and personal standards, as referenced in the Code's Preamble.
- What standards regarding recusal would you recommend to avoid the appearance of judicial conflict of interest?
- Existing ethical standards regarding recusal are clear and a process is in place to investigate any justice accused of violating them. We should elect justices whom we trust to make these decisions. I will act responsibly, honestly and ethically in such matters, in compliance with the Code of Ethics.
- How would you respond to the allegation that West Virginia is a hostile judicial climate to business?
- I am more focused on how we can change the negative perceptions of our court system than on debating whether the perceptions are accurate. Fairness, impartiality and the rule of law must be more important that politics. The Supreme Court should interpret law, not make law. Judicial activism is unacceptable.
