Franklin Cleckley

Franklin Dorrah Cleckley (August 1, 1940 – August 14, 2017) was an American law professor and judge. He was Arthur B. Hodges Professor of Law at West Virginia University College of Law. He taught at the law school from 1969 to 2013. He held the endowed professorship emeritus. Cleckley was the first African-American to serve as a justice of the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals. Governor Gaston Caperton appointed Cleckley to the bench in 1994. He served on the Court until 1996. Personal background Cleckley was born in Huntington, West Virginia, on August 1, 1940, but was raised in McDowell County, West Virginia. He received an A.B. degree from Anderson College in 1962, a J.D. degree from Indiana University School of Law in 1965, and a LL.M. degree from Harvard Law School in 1969. He also did post-graduate studies at the University of Exeter in England. Professional background Cleckley served three years in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War as a Judge Advocate General. While serving as a Navy JAG officer he earned the reputation, given by the United States Secretary of Defense, as being the most sought after attorney in Vietnam.