3.6: The Two Wounds of Society: Unveiled and Unraveled

In a world where the intricacies of our legal system intersect with the heart-wrenching struggles of society's most vulnerable, emerges a remarkable individual whose unwavering dedication knows no bounds. Join us for an exceptionally heartfelt episode of the Heart of Law as our compassionate host, Mirena Umizaj introduces us to prominent Attorney Steve New, a founding member of Stephen New & Associates. Together, they embark on a poignant exploration to uncover the raw realities behind society's two profound wounds: the heart-rending cases of Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) and the harrowing conditions within our prison system. 

At the heart of today's episode stands a legal luminary who has been a cherished friend of our host, Mirena Umizaj, for more than a decade. With a remarkable career spanning 25 years, Attorney Steve New has championed justice in various legal domains, from catastrophic and wrongful death cases to mass environmental damage and employment discrimination. However, what truly sets him apart is his fearless pursuit of justice in civil rights litigation, confronting the government and state of West Virginia to expose inhumane prison conditions while passionately advocating for babies born with NAS, a cause close to his heart since 2018. His unwavering commitment to these endeavors is exemplified by his impressive track record, having tried over 60 cases to jury verdict and making 8 appearances before the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals. 

As Mirena and Attorney Steve New embark on their enlightening conversation, the harsh realities of West Virginia's battle with the opioid epidemic come to the forefront, revealing the innocent victims caught in the crossfire. With heartfelt passion, Attorney Steve New reflects on his experience representing NAS cases, powerfully emphasizing, "There is no more innocent victim in this than addicted babies." Within this contemplation, he eloquently sheds light on the intricate challenges in substantiating these highly specialized cases and addresses the heart-wrenching scarcity of support for afflicted families. As the conversation deepens, Attorney Steve New provides insights into the recent proceedings, maintaining an unwavering hope for the appeal despite the disheartening ruling by the West Virginia Mass Litigation Panel, firmly believing that "no cause is truly lost" as he knows that ultimately, "some court is going to hear the voices of these children and care." 

Transitioning the conversation, Mirena prompts Attorney Steve New to delve into the origins of his involvement in the Southern Regional Jail cases in West Virginia. He shares that his profound connection with these cases began in early 2022, ignited by the impactful stories he came across, with the tragic case of Quantez Burks standing out prominently among them. Deeply appalled by the systemic issues at hand, Attorney Steve New, alongside his dedicated team, embarked on a relentless mission for justice, filing a lawsuit and subsequently pursuing a class certification on behalf of an astonishing 17,000 inmates. Their work is a testament to the pervasive challenges of overcrowding, understaffing, and deferred maintenance within West Virginia's correctional system, symbolizing a collective effort to rectify these injustices and provide relief for countless individuals who have suffered in silence. 

As the conversation concludes, Attorney Steve New unveils his broader vision to Mirena, reaching beyond West Virginia to ignite a nationwide movement for prison reform with the hope of "turning the tide" on harsh conditions and inspiring a change in public sentiment. He emphasizes that the key to achieving this lies in sharing the stories of those affected and fostering collaboration among like-minded individuals and groups. With eager anticipation for the forthcoming October class certification hearing, Mirena extends a heartfelt invitation to all who resonate with the cause to step forward and actively participate in the conversation, ensuring that the vision for change continues to grow.