The event, held in Harper-McNeeley Auditorium in the Myles Center for the Arts, was open to the public, with tables that offered informational packets, free items and more for students. D&E students and members of the public were in attendance, as well as EHS students who were bused to the event. The proceedings were also live streamed. This was the third ICA On-Campus event across the state.

The Intermediate Court of Appeals was presided over by Chief Judge Thomas E. Scarr, Judge Charles O. Lorensen and Judge Daniel W. Greear. Judges are elected in nonpartisan elections to 10-year terms, while the chief judge is chosen by members of the court and serves a one-year term. Judges must have practiced law for at least 10 years.

“We thank Davis & Elkins for hosting us today, on Sept.17, Constitution and Citizenship Day,” Scarr said in his opening remarks. “We thank all the attendees and we thank the attorneys, who agreed to participate with us here today, and all those who are in person or on webcast.”

Four cases were argued before the court: In re: Expungement of Record of N.B., 23-ICA-430; A.D.A., as next friend of L.R.A., a minor child under the age of 18, et al. v. Johnson & Johnson, et al., 23-ICA-275, 23-ICA-276, 23-ICA-287, and 23-ICA-307; Damon McDowell, Mary McDowell, and DeeAnna Rae Lawson v. Allstate Vehicle and Property Insurance Company, 23-ICA-406; and The Silver Creek Association, Inc., et al. v. Matthew Irby, in his official capacity as State Tax Commissioner of the State of West Virginia, and Johnny Pritt, in his official capacity as Assessor of Pocahontas County, West Virginia, 23-ICA-372.

West Virginia University College of Law third-year law student Syd McGinnis, at right, speaks about being in law school with Melissa Giggenbach, left, program director of the West Virginia Innocence Project clinic.

In between cases, members of the audience were encouraged to ask questions of each case’s attorneys.

In the first case, which involved the possible expungement of criminal record for second-degree murder for a man in Cabell County, the petitioner was represented by West Virginia University College of Law third-year law student Syd McGinnis. During the question period, McGinnis spoke about law school, explaining that while it’s a different experience, it’s worth it in the end.

“It’s very different from college,” McGinnis said. “It kind of hits you like a ton of bricks, if I’m being honest, but once you kind of realize that’s the place you want to be, this is really what you want to do with your life, you figure it out.”

McGinnis represented the petitioner, alongside the program director of the West Virginia Innocence Project clinic, Melissa Giggenbach. As a third-year law student, McGinnis was allowed to join the West Virginia Innocence Project clinic and make an argument for the petitioner in the ICA. McGinnis will graduate law school in May.

Davis & Elkins College President Chris Wood said Tuesday’s event was an “invaluable opportunity” for students.

“We are thrilled to welcome the West Virginia Intermediate Court of Appeals to our campus, particularly on Constitution Day, a day dedicated to celebrating and understanding our nation’s founding principles,” Wood said in a previously released press statement. “The judges’ outreach and engagement with D&E students in classes and across campus, coupled with the invaluable opportunity to witness oral arguments firsthand, will undoubtedly deepen their understanding of the judicial process.”