MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals came to the West Virginia University College of Law this week to demonstrate their profession and educate local students.
On MetroNews “Talkline,” Chief Justice Elizabeth Walker explained it is part of the Legal Advancement for West Virginia Students, or LAWS, program. The program was implemented in 1999, and this is the first time it has been brought to Morgantown.
“High school students prepare and take a look at the cases before the arguments, meet with local lawyers about the cases to prepare, and then come and actually see the cases argued, so they can see what our appellate court does,” Chief Justice Walker said.
Day one was spent with students from the College of Law, and day two included sessions for high school students from Monongalia and Preston Counties. The students follow along with the arguments and learn aspects of the law applied.
“The lawyers do an amazing job of arguing the cases in a way, particularly in front of the students, that the students can follow along with what’s happening,” Chief Justice Walker said. “Sometimes the arguments are very technical, but the lawyers do a great job.”
The students have a rare opportunity to follow along with justices from the “court of last resort” or the State Supreme Court of Appeals and then even ask questions. Walker said this is rare for the justices as well to have the opportunity to talk about the profession, its importance, and why they have made it a career.
“If we have extra time, we actually take questions from the students about our backgrounds and how we came to the court, and we enjoy talking about that,” Chief Justice Walker said. “All five of us agree strongly that one of our primary missions is to educate.”
Walker’s outreach also includes a podcast called “Lady Justice: Women of the Court,” with Justice Rhonda Wood of Arkansas and former Chief Justice Bridget McCormack of Michigan, where the real-world implications of the law are discussed.
“Maybe some students today will think about a career in the legal profession, will think about going to college, going to law school, and doing what we do and what lawyers do,” Chief Justice Walker said.