Updated Dec. 9, 2024 at 9:15 a.m. to include comments from Supreme Court Justices and Gov. Jim Justice.
In a statement Saturday afternoon, the West Virginia Democratic Party announced the passing of Darrell V. McGraw, Jr.
“As Attorney General and a Justice of the West Virginia Supreme Court, Darrell dedicated his career to protecting the rights of West Virginians, championing consumer protection, and upholding the rule of law. His legacy of service and commitment to our state will never be forgotten. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and all who were touched by his leadership.”
McGraw was born in Wyoming County on Nov. 8, 1936. After graduating from Pineville High School, he earned degrees from Berea Academy and West Virginia University, where he served as student body president. He also served a stint in the army.
In the 1960s, he opened a private law practice and was a legal counsel to Governor Hulett Smith and the legislature. A staunch Democrat, McGraw was elected to the state Supreme Court of Appeals in 1976, one of three liberals elected to the court that year. The outspoken justice was a lightning rod for conservative critics for court cases such as the 1978 Mandolidis decision, which expanded the rights of injured workers to sue employers.
McGraw was defeated for re-election as attorney general in 1988 but was elected state attorney general four years later. In his 20 years in that position, McGraw emphasized consumer protection and won important settlements with a direct-mail operator and against the tobacco industry.
McGraw was defeated for re-election in 2012 by Republican Patrick Morrissey. And in 2016, he was defeated in another bid for the state Supreme Court.
“Darrell McGraw devoted his life to service in West Virginia’s government through 12 years on the Supreme Court and 20 years as Attorney General. He played a key role in an entire generation of jurisprudence in the Mountain State,” said Chief Justice Tim Armstead. “We honor Justice McGraw’s legacy of service to our state and extend our deepest prayers and sympathies to his wife Jorea and their children during this difficult time.”
“Darrell McGraw’s legacy is an indelible mark on West Virginia’s legal landscape,” said Justice Bill Wooton. “His leadership was evident at an early age; he served as Student Body President at West Virginia University and devoted most of the remainder of his life to public service across all three branches of government. He was a key figure in the administration of Gov. Hulett Smith, a counsel to the Legislature, a former Justice of our Supreme Court and West Virginia’s longest-serving Attorney General. A hallmark of his public service was his love of the state of West Virginia and its people. He will be remembered by those who knew him as an inordinately kind and good man.”
“Cathy and I are saddened to learn about the passing of Darrell McGraw. We’re keeping his family in our prayers this evening and ask everyone to do the same. His lifetime of public service to the people of West Virginia will long be remembered,” Gov. Jim Justice said.
On June 15, 2023, Darrell McGraw’s brother, longtime West Virginia democratic legislator and jurist Warren McGraw, who suffered from Parkinson’s Disease, passed away at the age of 84.
