CHARLESTON, West Virginia – This year marks the 20th anniversary of Shuman McCuskey  Slicer PLLC. Previously formed as Shuman, McCuskey & Slicer, PLLC, the firm has amended its name to Shuman McCuskey Slicer PLLC simply to be less wordy. Shuman McCuskey Slicer PLLC was founded in 2000 by David L. Shuman, John F. McCuskey, and William R. Slicer. The firm’s name change continues to represent over two decades of hard work, community service, and leadership by its founders, lawyers, and staff. About:  Shuman McCuskey Slicer PLLC is a civil defense litigation law [...]

Within the pages of our 2020 Q2 News Blast, you will find the latest updates on West Virginia case summaries, information regarding the SMS Consulting and General Legal Services team, how COVID-19 has changed the way we practice law, and more!

On July 17, 2020, SMS attorneys Lou Ann Cyrus and Caleb David obtained dismissal of Eighth Amendment claims on behalf of four West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation administrators in Russell v. Butcher, et al. in the United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia. The plaintiff, an inmate, alleged that he was assaulted by another inmate and that, in a separate incident, excessive force was used against him by correctional officers. The plaintiff’s claims against the administrators were based upon allegations of negligent [...]

On May 12, 2020, the United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia entered an order dismissing a lawsuit against a former correctional officer. The correctional officer was represented by SMS attorneys Lou Ann S. Cyrus and Emily L. Lilly. The order was entered after the correctional officer moved for summary judgment based on the plaintiff’s failure to exhaust administrative remedies while incarcerated. State and federal law requires that an inmate plaintiff exhaust all available administrative remedies prior to filing a lawsuit related to the [...]

Within the pages of our 2020 Q1 News Blast, you will find the latest updates on legal victories, how our firm is continuing to expand to our bordering states, an update on how SMS is responding to COVID-19 through ISO 27001 alignment, and more. We hope everyone is staying healthy and safe!

On January 30, 2020, Michael Dunham and Kathryn McCann-Slaughter tried Robey v. Clevenger in Winchester General District Court. The case stemmed from a collision that occurred on May 5, 2019, at the intersection of Pleasant Valley Road and Jubal Early Drive. Plaintiff contended that  Ms. Clevenger was attempting to make a left turn into the path of the Plaintiff, causing the collision. The Plaintiff alleged he suffered injuries including a concussion, cervical strain, and midline thoracic back pain. Ms. Clevenger contended that she was not making a left [...]

On March 20, 2020, The Circuit Court of Randolph County entered an order dismissing the West Virginia Regional Jail & Correctional Facility Authority (“WVRJCFA”) from a lawsuit. The WVRJCFA was represented by SMS attorney, Michael Dunham. The order was entered after the WVRJCFA moved the circuit court to dismiss the claims brought by Plaintiff because Plaintiff did not provide adequate pre-suit notice prior to filing suit. Under West Virginia law, at least thirty days prior to initiating a civil action against a State agency, a complaining party is required [...]