Opinion ID: 2739491
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: The Deposition of Lawyer Charles Dollison

Text: 8 (...continued) 701 of the West Virginia Rules of Evidence (1) the witness must have personal knowledge or perception of the facts from which the opinion is to be derived; (2) there must be a rational connection between the opinion and the facts upon which it is based; and (3) the opinion must be helpful in understanding the testimony or determining a fact in issue. 18 Finally, Chichester and Lambson assert that the circuit court committed error in granting Toney’s Fork Land, LLC’s, motion to quash the notice of deposition of its former corporate lawyer, Charles Dollison. Dollison did not prepare the 1996 power of attorney, and he did not prepare either the 1997 deed or the 2008 corrective deed. He prepared the 2008 mining lease and deed conveying the surface to Toney’s Fork Land, LLC. As stated, we have held that the 2008 corrective deed is invalid and is no longer an issue. Consequently, any knowledge Dollison may have surrounding the drafting and execution of the corrective deed is irrelevant. We cannot perceive that his deposition about the 2008 deed will lead to the discovery of admissible evidence. See W.Va. R. Civ. P. 26(b)(1) (Parties may obtain discovery of information “reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery of admissible evidence.”). Furthermore, there is no allegation that Dollison has any knowledge of the execution of the 1996 power of attorney or the execution of the original 1997 deed ostensibly transferring an interest in the two tracts to Gene Cook. Therefore, the circuit court was correct in not allowing the deposition of lawyer Dollison.