One Davis Square, Suite 100, East, Charleston, WV 25301 - Telephone: (304) 558-9130 - FAX: (304) 558-7075

Office of the Deputy Secretary for Legal Services

Staff:

Susan Shelton Perry, Deputy Secretary for Legal Services

John Street, Privacy Officer

Debra Garnes, Executive Secretary

Office of the General Counsel

Staff:

Vacant, General Counsel

Belle Manjong, Assistant General Counsel

Jennifer Rutherford, Paralegal

Mission:

The Office of the General Counsel provides timely and accurate legal advice and counsel to the Secretary and the Department, including the responsibility to coordinate all litigation activity through the Board of Risk and Insurance Management, Attorney General’s Office, and to issue legal opinions as needed.

Goals/Objectives:

Communicate professionalism and effectiveness of the Department to state and federal judiciary systems in order to vacate remaining class actions and deter initiation of future suits.

Assist program areas with strategy, negotiations, and mediation on problem matters to prevent litigation.