Delaware News

Governor Markell Nominates Karen Valihura to Delaware Supreme Court

Former Governor Jack Markell (2009-2017) | Kent County | New Castle County | News | Office of the Governor | Sussex County | Date Posted: Friday, June 6, 2014



Wilmington, DE – Governor Markell today announced the nomination of Karen L. Valihura, a widely respected corporate law practitioner, to serve on the Delaware Supreme Court. If confirmed by the Delaware Senate, Valihura will fill the vacancy left by Justice Jack B. Jacobs, who retires on June 24th.

“Karen Valihura is an attorney of uncommon skill, intelligence, and integrity who has earned a well-deserved reputation for excellence in her 25 years in private practice,” said Governor Markell. “As important, she has a long track record of service to the community. If she is confirmed by Senate, I believe Karen will serve our state well as a member of Delaware’s highest court.”

Ms. Valihura is a partner at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher and Flom, LLP, where she has practiced law since 1989. Her practice involves a wide range of complex and high-profile litigation involving an array of corporate and commercial issues, including mergers and acquisitions, fiduciary duties of directors, and federal and state securities fraud claims. She represents business entities in federal and state trial and appellate courts throughout the country.   Ms. Valihura is widely recognized as one of Delaware’s pre-eminent corporate law practitioners, and she has been selected repeatedly for inclusion in Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business and The Best Lawyers in America.

“I am humbled by this great honor, and I wish to thank Governor Markell for having the faith in me to succeed retiring Justice Jack Jacobs who contributed greatly to making our Supreme Court a shining star among our nation’s courts,” said Ms. Valihura. “I also want to thank the members of the Judicial Nominating Commission, and its Chair, the former Chancellor William B. Chandler, III, for their consideration. Should I be lucky enough to be confirmed by the Delaware State Senate, I look forward to working hard  to serve the citizens of this great State as part of one of the best state court systems in the nation.”

In addition to her work in the courtroom, Ms. Valihura has served her community and colleagues.  For 18 years, she served as a member of the Board of Directors for the Delaware Special Olympics, and also served for eight years as a member of the Delaware Bar Foundation. She currently serves as a member of the advisory board of the John L. Weinberg Center for Corporate Governance and as a member of the Delaware Supreme Court’s Permanent Ethics Advisory Committee on Delaware Rules of Professional Conduct.  She previously served as a member of the Board on Professional Responsibility, having served as Board Chair for six years and as a member of the Corporation Law Council of the Delaware State Bar Association.

Valihura, 51, received a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Political Science from Washington and Jefferson College in 1985.  She earned her law degree at the University of Pennsylvania Law School and was admitted to the Delaware Bar in 1989. She resides in Wilmington.

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Governor Markell Nominates Karen Valihura to Delaware Supreme Court

Former Governor Jack Markell (2009-2017) | Kent County | New Castle County | News | Office of the Governor | Sussex County | Date Posted: Friday, June 6, 2014



Wilmington, DE – Governor Markell today announced the nomination of Karen L. Valihura, a widely respected corporate law practitioner, to serve on the Delaware Supreme Court. If confirmed by the Delaware Senate, Valihura will fill the vacancy left by Justice Jack B. Jacobs, who retires on June 24th.

“Karen Valihura is an attorney of uncommon skill, intelligence, and integrity who has earned a well-deserved reputation for excellence in her 25 years in private practice,” said Governor Markell. “As important, she has a long track record of service to the community. If she is confirmed by Senate, I believe Karen will serve our state well as a member of Delaware’s highest court.”

Ms. Valihura is a partner at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher and Flom, LLP, where she has practiced law since 1989. Her practice involves a wide range of complex and high-profile litigation involving an array of corporate and commercial issues, including mergers and acquisitions, fiduciary duties of directors, and federal and state securities fraud claims. She represents business entities in federal and state trial and appellate courts throughout the country.   Ms. Valihura is widely recognized as one of Delaware’s pre-eminent corporate law practitioners, and she has been selected repeatedly for inclusion in Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business and The Best Lawyers in America.

“I am humbled by this great honor, and I wish to thank Governor Markell for having the faith in me to succeed retiring Justice Jack Jacobs who contributed greatly to making our Supreme Court a shining star among our nation’s courts,” said Ms. Valihura. “I also want to thank the members of the Judicial Nominating Commission, and its Chair, the former Chancellor William B. Chandler, III, for their consideration. Should I be lucky enough to be confirmed by the Delaware State Senate, I look forward to working hard  to serve the citizens of this great State as part of one of the best state court systems in the nation.”

In addition to her work in the courtroom, Ms. Valihura has served her community and colleagues.  For 18 years, she served as a member of the Board of Directors for the Delaware Special Olympics, and also served for eight years as a member of the Delaware Bar Foundation. She currently serves as a member of the advisory board of the John L. Weinberg Center for Corporate Governance and as a member of the Delaware Supreme Court’s Permanent Ethics Advisory Committee on Delaware Rules of Professional Conduct.  She previously served as a member of the Board on Professional Responsibility, having served as Board Chair for six years and as a member of the Corporation Law Council of the Delaware State Bar Association.

Valihura, 51, received a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Political Science from Washington and Jefferson College in 1985.  She earned her law degree at the University of Pennsylvania Law School and was admitted to the Delaware Bar in 1989. She resides in Wilmington.

image_printPrint

Related Topics:  , ,


Graphic that represents delaware news on a mobile phone

Keep up to date by receiving a daily digest email, around noon, of current news release posts from state agencies on news.delaware.gov.

Here you can subscribe to future news updates.