Text Box:  Many of you know Jim Zimarowski from the media accounts of his jury trials as the preeminent criminal defense attorney in North Central West Virginia.  He has been doing trial work, both criminal and civil, for over twenty-five years. Martindale-Hubbell's peer rating for Jim Zimarowski is an "AV"- the highest  available at the "preeminent" level for legal ability and ethics.  Very few attorneys in Monongalia County, and none of the other candidates for circuit judge, have such a high peer rating. The West Virginia State Bar Association 2008 Judicial Evaluation Poll ranks Jim Zimarowski the top Division I Judicial Circuit candidate all areas: legal ability, intelligence/reasoning ability, diligence/dedication, courteous/consideration of others, integrity/moral courage/impartiality, decisiveness/promptness, and overall qualifications for office. COMPETENCY MATTERS! Jim Zimarowski is a product of West Virginia educational institutions.   He has six degrees: five from West Virginia institutions.  He holds two undergraduate degrees from West Virginia Institute of Technology in Montgomery, and two Masters degrees from Marshall University.  His first law degree is from West Virginia University where he served on Law Review and graduated near the top of his class, earning the prestigious Order of the Coif.  He went on to earn a post doctoral degree in Law  from the University of Illinois.  Academically his credentials are unparalleled. He also can write and communicate in the scholarly fashion needed by a Circuit Judge. He has published numerous scholarly and law review articles which are cited and used by many scholars in the fields of labor, economics, and employment law.  In addition to his legal accomplishments, Jim Zimarowski has experience as an educator, engineer, and farmer.  He is also an avid outdoorsman. COMPETENCY MATTERS! Jim and Claudia Zimarowski  have been married for over thirty-two years.   Claudia Zimarowski has been employed in Monongalia County Schools for nearly twenty-five years as a classroom teacher and currently serves three schools as a Technology Integration Specialist.  Claudia  holds  the  prestigious National Board Certification (NBCT). Very few teachers nationwide have achieved the high NBCT professional distinction. Claudia and Jim have three children who were raised and educated in Monongalia County.  Their oldest daughter and her husband, both University High School graduates, live in North Carolina where she studies geology at  University of North Carolina at Wilmington, and he serves in the United States Marine Corps as a helicopter pilot.  Their second daughter, a McMurran Scholar and  2007 summa cum laude graduate of Shepherd University is a law student at WVU.   Their youngest, a son, is currently the Junior Class President at Shepherd University.  Jim and Claudia Zimarowski are active members of the Monongalia County community. COMPETENCY MATTERS! What qualifies someone to be a Trial Judge?  Obviously courtroom experience is one factor. Knowledge of the procedural rules is another. But most importantly is a dedication and adherence to the RULE OF LAW.  Jim Zimarowski is perhaps best known for courtroom criminal defense but he has represented senior citizens groups (see SER McGraw v Suarez), firefighters (see Fireman’s Pension Fund v Fairmont), police officers, WVU faculty and support staff, teachers (see Kincell v MBOE), and citizens from almost every walk of life and occupation at both the trial and appellate levels. COMPETENCY MATTERS! His criminal jury trials are noteworthy not only for their results but the high level of advocacy and technical command demonstrated - raising the bar as it were - to insure a fair trial and adherence to the rule of law. Jim Zimarowski is widely respected by court personnel, prosecutors, and police officers alike. His civil and administrative work, while not garnering the media attention, reflects a body of work reflecting the best of trial advocacy and good lawyering. A cornerstone to the rule of law is responsibility. Holding one responsible for his conduct – either civil or criminal – in the defined way by rule of law is the proper function of the judiciary. The mortar that holds the bricks of a democracy together is a fair, impartial, and independent judicial branch of government.  Look to international news if you question this fundamental premise. Trial Judges cannot be beholden to any group or party but beholden only to the Federal and State Constitutions and statutes through the RULE OF LAW. COMPETENCY MATTERS!  We ask you to support this endeavor in any way you’re comfortable.  Here are some of the ways you can help: 1. A donation to the campaign, payable to  Jim Zimarowski For Circuit Court Judge in care of John F. Wiley, Treasurer, at P.O. Box 1381, Morgantown, WV 26507-1381. 2. Volunteer work in the campaign, which can be arranged if you call John Wiley at (304) 692-6665 or email at JohnFWiley@aol.com. 3. Tell people you know that Jim is running. Tell them about him, or have them visit his website at http://www.zimarowskilaw.com.