The state Supreme Court has appointed Monongalia County Circuit Judge Debra Scudiere to the West Virginia Mass Litigation Panel.
“Judge Scudiere is very experienced in civil litigation, mediation and arbitration and will be an excellent addition to this important panel,” Chief Justice Beth Walker said.
Scudiere said she’s excited to take on the new position.
“Mainly because I respect these other judges so much that it will be just a joy to get out of, kind of, this little sheltered area of the law where I do things on my own and kind of cogitate with them and talk and conference with them about how maybe we can help some of these situations,” Scudiere said.
The panel’s chairman, Judge Alan Moats, said Scudiere will be a valuable addition to the Mass Litigation Panel. He praised her personality, work ethic and said she was recognized as one of the best mediators in the state prior to her appointment as a judge.
Scudiere was also appointed to be one of the three resolution judges in on-going opioid ligation.
As a resolution judge, Scudiere said she won’t preside over the case. Rather, she’ll help the various sides come together to sort out what issues they can through mutual agreement, something her background in mediation should help with.
“This assignment perfectly blends my two passions — trial work and mediation,” Scudiere said. “I look forward to working with the other fine panel members to help resolve the issues in these cases which are so important to so many people.”
Before she was a judge, Scudiere said she worked on asbestos lawsuits and would likely need to recuse herself from cases involving the material.
Scudiere said she’s thankful for the support of her husband, Bill, and daughter, Rachel Vitt, for their support as she takes on her new role.
The order appointing Scudiere was entered Monday and is retroactively effective to Sept. 9, when the appointment was approved by the state Supreme Court. She replaced Judge Booker Stephens, who retired on May 31. Her term will end June 30, 2021.
