CHARLESTON — John “J.B.” McCuskey officially is West Virginia’s 35th attorney general.
The former state auditor took over duties just after midnight January 13. The public swearing-in ceremony began at 11 a.m. Former AG Patrick Morrisey became West Virginia’s governor.
A Republican like Morrisey, McCuskey also said he wants to ensure a smooth transition. He says his team brings decades of legal experience and “will join McCuskey in his fight to preserve West Virginia values and move the state forward.”
“I am honored to become the state’s next attorney general and vow to fight every day to protect the people of West Virginia,” McCuskey said. “Today, I am announcing my leadership team. The talent we have been able to attract is second to none, bringing in attorneys from the private sector, those with experience in civil and criminal litigation, and those with experience in state government.
“Together, this talented group will continue to lead the way to protect not only West Virginia’s citizens and industries, but also ensure that West Virginia plays a key role in restoring American greatness.”
Jace Goins and Lauren Plymale have been named chief deputy attorneys general. Caleb David will be taking on the role of deputy solicitor general under Solicitor General Michael Williams, who was part of Morrisey’s AG team. Steven Travis will remain the office's general counsel.
Jeff Waybright will be McCuskey’s chief of staff, and Kallie Cart is deputy chief of staff and director of communications. Belinda Carpenter is McCuskey’s executive assistant.
“We are moving into a well-run operation, and for that I am thankful,” McCuskey said. “My leadership team and I are looking forward to working with the existing employees, who hold a wealth of knowledge and work hard to protect the people of West Virginia.
“Those employees, combined with this new crop of talent, ensures a smooth transition as well as a focus on building on the immense success of Governor Morrisey’s administration.”
* Goins has nearly 30 years of courtroom experience managing complex litigation as a member of Steptoe & Johnson, where he specialized in civil litigation.
* Plymale most recently was general counsel for the state Auditor’s Office and director of the Public Integrity and Fraud Unit where her team secured felony fraud convictions and tracked down millions in stolen taxpayer dollars. She also served 17 years as an assistant prosecutor in Cabell County.
* As solicitor general, Williams represents the state in strategic litigation and appeals, including cases before the U.S. Supreme Court. Before joining the AG’s office, he co-led Bush Seyferth’s complex-briefing and appeals group, representing Fortune 500 companies and others in suits across the country. He also practiced in the litigation groups of two Washington, D.C. firms and clerked with the Appellate Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maine.
* David spent the last 10 years in private practice at Shuman McCuskey Slicer, where he was a member in the firm’s Charleston office. His litigation practice included representing the state, its agencies and officials in complex matters in state and federal courts, trying cases to verdict and handling appeals before the Intermediate Court of Appeals, Supreme Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court of the United States.
* Travis has been with the AG’s office for the past 10 years. Before that, he worked for Jackson Kelly.
* Waybright was chief of staff in the state Auditor’s Office for nine years, where he helped run the day-to-day operations and managed the more than 160-person staff. Previously, he was the Jackson County Clerk for more than 23 years. He also served on the Jackson County School Board.
* Cart served as deputy chief of staff in the Auditor’s Office. Before that, she was a broadcast journalist.
* Carpenter was the human resources assistant administrator in the Auditor’s Office. Previously, she worked in office management within the medical field.