Hillsdale College Alumna Named Chief Justice On West Virginia Supreme Court
Beth (Deere) Walker unanimously chosen to lead state’s highest court
Hillsdale, Mich. — Hillsdale College congratulates 1987 graduate Beth (Deere) Walker for being selected as the next chief justice of the West Virginia Supreme Court. Walker, who was unanimously chosen by the court’s five justices, will exercise oversight on lower courts and hear arguments, among other duties.
In an interview with Hillsdale College’s student-run newspaper, The Collegian, William P. Harris chair in military history and professor of history Thomas Conner said that Walker has “fundamental integrity” and was “a very good student, very serious about her work and about serving the College.”
After graduating from Hillsdale summa cum laude with degrees in English and political science, Walker obtained her J.D. from The Ohio State University. She served as a partner at Bowles Rice LLP and later joined West Virginia United Health System as an associate general counsel role, advising on labor and employment. She was elected to the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals in 2016.
At Hillsdale, Walker belonged to the Chi Omega sorority and served as senior class president. She also helped to establish the admissions department’s student ambassador program and wrote for The Collegian.
“It is such a huge honor to be selected by my fellow justices. It’s a really important leadership position in our court,” said Walker in an interview with The Collegian. “I’m particularly focused on transparency and accountability and working closely with the legislature on budgetary issues.”
Walker will assume the role of chief justice at the beginning of 2019 for a year-long term.