Flanigan Sworn In During Hometown Ceremony
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WHEELING -- A swearing-in ceremony for West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals Justice Bill Flanigan of Wheeling was held Thursday at West Virginia Independence Hall Museum in downtown Wheeling.
His first swearing-in ceremony was held in June in Charleston, but this hometown ceremony included several local dignitaries, family members, friends and judges.
The emcee for the event was attorney Jordan Laird of Wheeling. Ohio County Sheriff Nelson Croft called the gathering to order as those in attendance rose while First Judicial Circuit Judges David Sims, Jason Cuomo, Michael Olejasz and Joseph Barki entered the room, along with Second Judicial Circuit Judges Jeffrey Cramer and Richard Wilson.
Introductory remarks were made by attorney George Sidiropolis. Barki administered the oath of office, with Flanigan repeating the oath.
Flanigan’s family also was present, including his wife, Melissa, daughters Bella and Sophia and son Liam. Flanigan was robed with assistance from his wife and son.
During her remarks, Bella Flanigan said her father always enjoyed comic books and superheroes, as well as stories about good versus evil and right versus wrong.
She noted that, at first, her father was concerned about fitting in as a justice, but she never had any doubts about his ability to do the job.
“You are the true personification of justice and morality,” she said. “You are very fair-minded and your integrity inspires me and all of us to live with our truths and what we believe in. I’m very proud of you and what you’re doing now and I’m proud that West Virginia gets to have you as a justice.”
Flanigan thanked everyone for attending the ceremony, adding that he grew up a country boy and did not foresee rising to such a position.
Before the ceremony, Flanigan said he began making decisions as a justice just four days into the job.
“It’s been hectic. ... It was right into the frying pan, so to speak. But it’s been fun, it’s been great. I’ve had to polish up on a few areas of law I had not practiced myself in 20 years,” he said. “It’s been enjoyable. I like to learn and the more I learn the more comfortable I feel in the position.”
Flanigan said that although he is from Wheeling, he feels as though he is working for and representing the entire state, not just his hometown.
“The great part, I will say this, is when you see the election results come in, the Northern Panhandle really showed up. That was really amazing,” he said, referring to the May primary. “I’m excited for the next two years and I will be running again in two years. I hope I represent everyone well and that everyone will be satisfied with how I interpret the law. It should not be too difficult. The Constitution is what it is and our laws, for the most part, are well written. I’m just looking forward to being there and doing the best I can.”