Published: March 23, 2008 09:44 pm         

Summers man announces run for judge’s seat

Kent Hellems is pleased to announce his candidacy for circuit judge of Summers and Monroe counties.

Hellems is a lifelong resident of Summers County. He is a 1980 graduate of Hinton High School and a 1984 cum laude graduate of Concord College. He was accepted into the West Virginia University College of Law in 1984, graduating in 1987. While attending law school, Hellems was selected as a member of the Law Review based on his academic achievement. In 1986 he was selected as the senior manuscript editor of the Law Review.

Hellems began practicing law with the firm of Gorman, Sheatsley and Hutchison in Beckley in 1987 where he remained until he opened his own law practice in Hinton in January 1996. He was selected by the West Virginia State Bar to be a member of the Lawyer Disciplinary Board in 1996 where he served until 1999.

With 20 years as an attorney, Hellems has extensive trial experience. He has tried cases in both civil and criminal matters throughout southern West Virginia and in federal court.

He has also appeared on numerous appellate matters before the state Supreme Court. In the published opinion of State ex rel Daniel v. Legursky, Justice Cleckley had this to say about Hellems’ representation in a court-appointed matter: “We take this opportunity to applaud and commend ... counsel for an excellent job of representation.”

Hellems is an active outdoorsman. He is an avid turkey and deer hunter, and a fisherman of the New River. He has been active in many civic organizations, including serving on the board of the Hinton Little League. He also served as a Hinton Little League softball coach and as a Hinton Area Elementary girls basketball coach.

Hellems believes the time is at hand to effectuate a positive change in the judicial system and to provide a firm and fair foundation for law and order. If elected, he pledges to consider all matters with fairness and impartiality, to deliver timely and well-founded decisions, and to treat all parties and their counsel with respect.

He also pledges to keep his doors open to the public and involve all the citizens of Summers and Monroe counties to the fullest extent possible in the administration of justice.