By Matt Harvey, The Exponent Telegram
CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WV News) — The West Virginia Bar now has until March 14 to respond to a federal lawsuit contending the Bar has violated the 14th Amendment’s equal protection covenant by setting aside a seat on its board of governors exclusively for black West Virginians.
The lawsuit was filed late last year by the Foundation Against Intolerance & Racism Inc., with Chief U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh presiding.
The action wants Kleeh to toss out the part of the state Bar’s bylaws that established the Board of Governors seat only for a black West Virginia Bar lawyer, and only to be voted on by black West Virginia Bar lawyers.
The lawsuit asserts that two non-black members want to run for the seat and also want to vote on who is elected.
