ROANOKE TIMES

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, March 12, 1994                   TAG: 9403140238
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-1   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: By MARA LEE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG                                LENGTH: Medium


LAWYER SELECTED FOR JUDGESHIP

Christiansburg lawyer John Quigley will serve as the New River Valley's newest General District judge, the General Assembly decided Friday.

Quigley will be one of the judges in the 27th Judicial District, which includes Montgomery, Floyd, Giles, Pulaski, Wythe, Bland, Grayson and Carroll counties and the cities of Galax and Radford.

He replaces Ray Grubbs, who was appointed to a 27th Circuit Court judgeship, replacing retiring Judge Kenneth Devore.

Grubbs usually presided in Christiansburg, Radford and Bland County.

Quigley, who has been a substitute judge for seven years, seemed relieved the politicking had come to an end. "I'm glad it's finally over," he said, and as to how his life will change as a judge? "I haven't had time to think."

The New River Valley's bar associations split their endorsements for the opening between Quigley and John Buck, a former Radford commonwealth's attorney. Buck also had served as a substitute judge in the lower courts. A long-time active Democrat, he served as Radford's commonwealth's attorney for 28 years.

The Courts of Justice Committee interviewed the candidates last week. The General Assembly gave its approval based on a recommendation from the Democratic caucuses of the House and Senate.

Quigley has practiced law for 15 years, first with the firm of Jenkins and Quigley, then at his own office in Christiansburg.

Quigley wanted to run for the judgeship because he believed his even-keel personality was suited to the bench. "I felt I had the type of temperment the job needed, that I would be able to listen to citizens," he said. "I think I have a good working knowledge of the law."

What will Quigley's courtroom be like? "Hopefully one that when people leave they say they have had a fair hearing," he said. "Whether they agree or disagree with what I do, they'll feel they had a fair shake."

Quigley received his law degree from University of Richmond's T.C. Williams School of Law.

Grubbs had been district judge since 1988.

Keywords:
GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1994



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