On Tuesday, June 2, 2015, Rory Perry will discuss the “History of the West Virginia Supreme Court” in the Archives and History Library of the Culture Center in Charleston. The program will begin at 6:00 p.m. and is free and open to the public.
Since 1863, the 76 justices of West Virginia’s highest court have carried out the duties of the judicial branch in a varied social, industrial, and political environment. Until recently, the activities of the judicial branch were of little interest to those outside of the legal community. Through careful study of the court’s original records, Perry has compiled a compelling and original visual timeline of the court’s history. Using this timeline as a reference, Perry will discuss significant early events, including the post-Civil War test oath cases and the martial law cases during the Paint Creek labor strikes, and provide a birds-eye view of the changing makeup of the court.
Rory L. Perry II is the 13th person to serve as Clerk of the Court since the State was created, and he has served in that position since 2000. He received his B.A. in English from Marshall University and his J.D. from the West Virginia University College of Law. Perry recently served as President of the National Conference of Appellate Court Clerks.
On June 2, the library will close at 5:00 p.m. and reopen at 5:45 p.m. for participants only. For additional information, contact the Archives and History Library at (304) 558-0230.
