Associated Press Published

West Virginia Suspends Ex-Education Secretary's Law License

800px-My_Trusty_Gavel.jpg

The law license of West Virginia’s former education secretary has been suspended by the state’s supreme court.

Charleston Gazette-Mail reports Clay County attorney Barbara Harmon-Schamberger’s license to practice law was suspended in a court order issued May 16. Her license will be automatically reinstated after the three-month suspension, but she’s required to obtain six additional credit hours of continuing legal education in the areas of ethics and law office management.

The justices’ order also says Harmon-Schamberger is to immediately refund a $1,000 retainer fee to Donnie Sears.

It was not clear what disciplinary rules Harmon-Schamberger violated or who Spears is. She could not be reached for comment Monday.

Harmon-Schamberger was appointed state secretary of education and the arts in 1992.