West Virginia Chamber of Commerce Releases 2025 Edition of CourtWatch at 89th Annual Meeting & Business Summit

September 5, 2025

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the 2025 edition of CourtWatch: The Impact of the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals on Our State’s Economy, made its debut at the 89th Annual Meeting & Business Summit held from Aug. 27- Aug. 29.

Published exclusively for the Chamber’s flagship event, the report delves into rulings by the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals, the Intermediate Court of Appeals and select federal courts, offering a unique legal lens on how the judiciary shapes West Virginia’s economic landscape.

Panelists Susan Deniker, Jay Ford, Tom Hurney, Jill Rice, and Marc Williams led the audience in a CourtWatch presentation that went far beyond traditional case summaries, offering attendees a deeper exploration of the evolving judicial landscape in West Virginia. The presentation also featured in-depth discussions on the broader implications of judicial elections, including how shifts in the makeup of the courts may influence future business-related decisions. Panelists examined the growing trend of certified questions from federal courts to the West Virginia Supreme Court and what this signifies for legal predictability and clarity in state law. Of particular interest was the resurgence of oil and gas royalty litigation, highlighting renewed legal disputes impacting one of the state’s most vital industries. These insights, along with commentary on emerging procedural trends and appellate court dynamics, made this year’s CourtWatch one of the most comprehensive and forward-looking editions to date.

Decisions are summarized by some of the most experienced attorneys in West Virginia and explain the impact of judiciary decisions on employers. 2025 CourtWatch features case reviews and how they affect your business in the following areas:

  • Contracts
  • Employment/Labor Law
  • ICA Cases
  • Insurnace
  • Oil & Gas
  • MPLA & Healthcare
  • Practice & Procedure
  • S. Supreme Court
  • Federal Cases

 

 

 

“CourtWatch plays a vital role in helping the business community understand how judicial decisions can impact their operations, even for those who aren’t attorneys or familiar with the legal process,” Kaitlyn Pytlak-Morra, Legal Counsel for the West Virginia Chamber and moderator of CourtWatch, said. “Being aware of legal implications isn’t just for lawyers – it’s essential for anyone making decisions in today’s business environment. Our hope is to continue being a trusted legal resource for the business community throughout the year.”

In addition, the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the 89th Annual Meeting & Business Summit was approved for 11.7 hours of live attendance CLE credit from the West Virginia State Bar. West Virginia attorneys who attended the Business Summit, but did not sign up for CLE credits, can reach out to Kaitlyn Pytlak-Morra at [email protected]. Attorneys should include their State Bar number for identification purposes.

2025 CourtWatch is published and can be viewed online at wvchamber.com.

Members of the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce are your small business neighbors. Chamber members employ over half of our state’s workforce and are found across our state. More information about the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce can be found at www.wvchamber.com

For media inquiries, contact Kaylin Jorge at [email protected] or (615) 606-1462.