Local lawyer named court administrator

Chief Circuit Judge Duke Bloom announced that local attorneySteven Hanley will be the new court administrator for the KanawhaCircuit Court.

Hanley, a former assistant Kanawha County prosecutor and a partnerat the firm Kay Casto & Chaney, will start on Nov. 16, Bloom said.

"He's an exceptionally well-qualified individual," Bloom said.

Hanley said Wednesday he is looking forward to getting started.

"I know all the circuit court judges well, and I thought it wouldbe very interesting to work with them," he said.

Hanley said he was familiar with the way things work at thecourthouse from his seven years as a prosecutor. He said has enjoyedhis 24 years in private practice, and now he is ready for a change.

"This seemed like a new and interesting challenge," he said.

Bloom said Hanley was the unanimous choice of the seven circuitcourt judges to replace Bill Murray, who left the position Oct. 15.Murray has said he is contemplating a run for the office of KanawhaCounty prosecutor.

Hanley, who is married with two sons, is a Charleston CatholicHigh School graduate. He went on to get a business degree from MorrisHarvey College and his law degree from the West Virginia College ofLaw, according to his resume.

"We are extremely happy that someone of his stature in the legalcommunity would take on the responsibilities of the position," Bloomsaid.

Steve Canterbury, administrative director of the state SupremeCourt, said he had met with Hanley earlier this week.

Canterbury said Hanley seemed to have the right temperament forthe job and praised his qualifications.

"He's absolutely got the right background package for theposition," Canterbury said.

According to the West Virginia State Bar's Web site, Hanley wasadmitted to the bar on May 25, 1971.