2014 | WEST VIRGINIA
30
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C OVER ST ORY
A MID-SIZE FIRM KNOWN FOR ITS LARGE-FIRM TALENT KAY CASTO & CHANEY PLLC BRINGS MULTIDISCIPLINARY EXPERTISE AND PERSONAL SERVICE TO ITS CLIENTS’ MOST COMPLICATED MATTERS
WHO ARE THE 2014 LAWYERS OF THE YEAR?
PAGE 7 A SPECIAL ADVERTISING SUPPLEMENT TO THE CHARLESTON DAILY MAIL & THE CHARLESTON GAZETTE
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Sitting, left to right: Linda Quillen, Mary Lingan, Kelly Mullins, Sherri Rasmussen, Leandra Sears, Kim Nichols, Becky Young, April Hundley, Joyce Mack, Cindy Burdette, Sherry O’Malley, Rebecca Metheney, Candice Berger, Kristina Longfellow, Beth Cohen, Kelley Henderson Standing, left to right: Matthew Perry, Kelly Elswick-Hall, Clayton G. Anderson, Robert P. Welsh, Paula L. Wilson, Richard A. Monahan, Kimberly K. Parmer, Marvin W. Masters, Christopher L. Brinkley, David Garrett
M
arvin W. Masters founded the Masters Law Firm as a solo practice in Charleston, West Virginia, more than 30 years ago. Since its inception, the firm has grown to eight lawyers by concentrating exclusively on representing persons and businesses injured or damaged by the acts and conduct of others. “I have always felt strongly about protecting and helping those injured and damaged due to the wrongful acts of others,” Masters explains. “It is the fact that we care about our clients that has allowed us to become effective advocates for them, because if a lawyer did not care about the devastation that a tragic accident causes
someone, he or she would not make for a very good personal injury attorney.” Since 2010, Masters’ firm has consistently been ranked Tier 1 in Charleston for plaintiffs’ personal injury litigation by U.S. News – Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms,” and Masters, who has tried more than 100 cases to jury and has received multimillion-dollar verdicts and settlements in various jurisdictions, was named as Best Lawyers’ 2013 Lawyer of the Year in Charleston for plaintiffs’ personal injury litigation. Still, while the firm mainly represents clients who have been injured in accidents of various types—such as auto accidents, mining
and construction accidents, and accidents stemming from defective products and medical negligence—it also represents many clients who have been cheated or defrauded of their money or had property severely damaged by others. “This firm is not solely a personal injury law firm,” Masters says. “Instead, it could be defined as a civil litigation firm, as we pride ourselves on our ability to investigate, prepare, and try both complex and straightforward cases involving a range of matters.” The Masters Law Firm has years of experience in handling products liability, automobile liability, insurance company liability, nursing home and hospital liability,
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PHOTO BY TRACY TOLER
Left to right: Cindy Burdette, Kelly Elswick-Hall, Christopher L. Brinkley, Marvin W. Masters
The Masters Law Firm, L.C. and drug manufacturing liability. The firm is also well known for its work in cases involving environmental and property damages, and it continues to litigate class actions, including gas royalty, pharmaceutical, and consumer protection cases. “These cases are generally about people seeking justice,” Masters says. “What we do as trial lawyers is fight for our clients’ rights in a court of law, and we feel that we have both a civic and a professional responsibility to provide competent service to our clients in litigation and to be there for them when they need it.” When asked how a lawyer develops into a competent attorney, Masters explains that
it requires hard work and long hours. “At the beginning of my career, I looked around and saw that successful people, no matter what their trade or profession, spent time and resources on improving their skills—you have to put in the time to know all the law and the facts of your case in order to always be prepared.” Beyond its legal practice, the Masters Law Firm is a strong supporter of local charities, community services, and the arts. In recognition of this ongoing commitment, the firm was recently honored by the International Society of Primerus Law Firms as a finalist for its Community Service Award. “The rewards are many if you are in a profession that helps
people,” Masters observes. “In our field, we see people, families, and businesses that have been devastated, and it is very satisfying to help those members of this community that we love.” 181 Summers Street Charleston, West Virginia 25301 phone 304.342.3106 fax 304.342.3189 mwm@themasterslawfirm.com
www.themasterslawfirm.com
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2014 | WEST VIRGINIA
30
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It’s inevitable—at some point in your life, you’re going to need a lawyer, and you won’t always be able to forecast when that need will arise. Finding an advocate in whom you can place your trust—particularly during times of strain or duress—can be a particularly daunting task. For most of us, the choice must be made quickly and decisively, and large sums of money are potentially on the line. As when choosing a doctor, we place an immense amount of responsibility in the counsel we hire to represent us. In our search for the highest quality advocate, we expect to be treated fairly, for our grievances to be heard, and for our lawyers to take on our case as if it were their own. Best Lawyers is proud to be the oldest legal peer-review organization in the United States. Since 1983, lawyers have been nominating and voting on their colleagues, culminating in what is currently the 20th edition of The Best Lawyers in America, from which this directory has been culled. The 2014 edition includes 50,834 attorneys in 134 practice areas, covering all 50 states and the District of Columbia, and inclusion is based on more than
4.9 million detailed evaluations of lawyers by other lawyers. A lot has changed in the last three decades. We now have myriad tools at our disposal, but has it gotten any easier to find a lawyer? No one is allowed to buy his or her way into Best Lawyers, so when you search for representation here, you are certain to find only the most highly regarded advocates in their chosen field. Lawyers must be re-nominated every year, thus ensuring that those listed are still considered the most esteemed in the profession. As a result, we congratulate those lawyers who have earned a place in this year’s guide. This year, to make your search even more useful, we have included all listed lawyers in West Virginia broken out by practice area and metropolitan region and are pleased to announce the 2014 recipients of the “Lawyer of the Year” award. Only one lawyer per practice area per metropolitan zone is granted this distinction, based on the highest peer ratings received. Turn to page 9 to find out more. We are also thrilled to unveil our new, fully interactive digital edition, truly putting the power to make an informed decision at your fingertips.
Each lawyer and firm with an online profile on BestLawyers.com is hyperlinked within these pages and highlighted in blue. Simply scan the QR code on page 5 with your smartphone or go to the Regional Publications section of BestLawyers.com to access the fully responsive digital edition. It’s available anytime, anywhere—accessible for free, all year long. Our aim is to quickly connect you to the Best Lawyer that best suits your needs. Whether you are in Charleston or Morgantown, our publication strives to put you in touch with the Best Lawyers in your hometown. Because it takes a community to recognize the best, if you know an outstanding attorney who isn’t listed here, do not hesitate to go online to BestLawyers.com and nominate him or her today.
Meredith Hinshaw Director of Publications
METHODOLOGY Inclusion in Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer-review. The methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.
Best Lawyers employs a sophisticated, conscientious, rational, and transparent survey process designed to elicit meaningful and substantive evaluations of the quality of legal services. Our belief has always been that the quality of a peer-review survey is directly related to the quality of its voting pool.
NOMINATION
BALLOTING
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INCLUSION
ANNOUNCEMENT
Nominations are open to anyone. Our primary sources for nominations: clients, other lawyers & marketing teams.
Ballots are generated and distributed to listed lawyers. They are designed based on the voter’s practice area(s) and geographic region.
Best Lawyers asks voters the question: “If you were unable to take a case yourself, how likely would you be to refer it to this nominee?” Nominees are given a 1 -5 rating, with room to leave additional comments.
The Best Lawyers editorial staff reviews the votes and comments. Selected lawyers are checked against state bar association sanction lists to make sure they are in good standing with the ethics committee of their state bar.
Listed lawyers are notified of inclusion and the list is released to the public.
To submit nominations, please visit www.BestLawyers.com/Admin/Nomination.aspx or email nominations@bestlawyers.com. For additional information concerning nominations, please contact us at info@bestlawyers.com.
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LISTED BY PRACTICE AREA 2014 | WEST VIRGINIA 6
ADMINISTRATIVE / REGULATORY LAW ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION ANTITRUST LAW APPELLATE PRACTICE BANKING & FINANCE LAW BANKRUPTCY & CREDITOR DEBTOR RIGHTS / INSOLVENCY & REORGANIZATION LAW BET-THE-COMPANY LITIGATION
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BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS (INCLUDING LLCS & PARTNERSHIPS)
Introduction & Methodology
CLOSELY HELD COMPANIES & FAMILY BUSINESS LAW COMMERCIAL FINANCE LAW COMMERCIAL LITIGATION CONSTRUCTION LAW
A Mid-Size Firm Known for Its Large-Firm Talent
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE & COMPLIANCE LAW CORPORATE LAW
Kay Casto & Chaney PLLC brings multidisciplinary expertise and personal service to its clients’ most complicated matters
CRIMINAL DEFENSE: NON-WHITE-COLLAR CRIMINAL DEFENSE: WHITE-COLLAR DUI/DWI DEFENSE
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EDUCATION LAW ELDER LAW
West Virginia’s 2014 Lawyers of the Year
EMINENT DOMAIN & CONDEMNATION LAW EMPLOYEE BENEFITS (ERISA) LAW
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ENERGY LAW ENVIRONMENTAL LAW ETHICS & PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY LAW FAMILY LAW FIRST AMENDMENT LAW GAMING LAW GOVERNMENT RELATIONS PRACTICE HEALTH CARE LAW INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY LAW INSURANCE LAW INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAW INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION LABOR & EMPLOYMENT LAW LAND USE & ZONING LAW LEGAL MALPRACTICE LAW
On the Cover PHOTO BY TRACY TOLER
Kay Casto & Chaney’s 2014 Lawyers of the Year: Richard E. Boyle, Jr., Craig M. Kay and Debra Scudiere
MASS TORT LITIGATION / CLASS ACTIONS
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MEDIA LAW MEDICAL MALPRACTICE LAW MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS LAW MINING LAW MUNICIPAL LAW NATURAL RESOURCES LAW NON-PROFIT / CHARITIES LAW OIL & GAS LAW PERSONAL INJURY LITIGATION PRODUCT LIABILITY LITIGATION PROFESSIONAL MALPRACTICE LAW PROJECT FINANCE LAW PUBLIC FINANCE LAW RAILROAD LAW REAL ESTATE LAW
Best Lawyers Headquarters 803.648.0300 237 Park Avenue, SW, First Floor Aiken, SC 29801 Best Lawyers New York Office 718.509.6095 45 Main Street, Suite 820 Brooklyn, NY 11201
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Woodward/White Inc. has used its best efforts in assembling material for this list but does not warrant or represent that the information contained herein is complete or accurate. Woodward/ White Inc. (and its affiliates, employees, officers, directors or agents) does not assume, and hereby expressly disclaims, any liability to any person for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions herein, whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident or any other cause. This magazine includes paid attorney advertising. Consumers should contact the state bar for verification and additional information prior to securing the legal services of any attorney, and nothing herein should be construed as the provision of legal advice. For more information, see www.bestlawyers.com. The 2014 edition of The Best Lawyers in America is available from the publisher. This publication is an excerpt of The Best Lawyers in America® 2014 edition and does not constitute a complete list. For information call 803-648-0300; write 237 Park Avenue, SW. First Floor, Aiken, SC 29801; email info@bestlawyers.com; or visit www.bestlawyers.com. “The Best Lawyers in America” and “Best Lawyers” are registered trademarks of Woodward/White, Inc. Lawyers did not pay to be featured in any content detailed on this page (articles, listings and features).
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SECURITIES / CAPITAL MARKETS LAW SECURITIES REGULATION SECURITIZATION & STRUCTURED FINANCE LAW TAX LAW TECHNOLOGY LAW TIMBER LAW TRUSTS & ESTATES VENTURE CAPITAL LAW WATER LAW WORKERS’ COMPENSATION LAW
SCAN TO ACCESS INTERACTIVE DIGITAL VERSION
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in WEST VIRGINIA ADMINISTRATIVE / REGULATORY LAW
STEPTOE & JOHNSON Ancil G. Ramey, Joanna I. Tabit
MORGANTOWN CHARLESTON ATKINSON & POLAK Mark A. Atkinson BOWLES RICE F. Thomas Graff, Jr. JACKSON KELLY Timothy E. Huffman, John Philip Melick
FLAHERTY SENSABAUGH BONASSO Jeffrey A. Holmstrand MARTIN & SEIBERT Susan R. Snowden STEPTOE & JOHNSON Rodney L. Bean, C. David Morrison
BANKING & FINANCE LAW
MORGANTOWN STEPTOE & JOHNSON Walter L. Williams
ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION CHARLESTON A. ANDREW MACQUEEN A. Andrew MacQueen III CYRUS & ADKINS, ATTORNEYS AT LAW John F. Cyrus DINSMORE & SHOHL W. Henry Jernigan, Jr. FARRELL, WHITE & LEGG Joseph M. Farrell, Jr. HICKS RESOLUTIONS Elliot G. Hicks JACKSON KELLY J. Rudy Martin KAY CASTO & CHANEY Robert B. Allen, John R. Hoblitzell LAMP BARTRAM LEVY TRAUTWEIN & PERRY James D. Lamp LEWIS GLASSER CASEY & ROLLINS Webster J. Arceneaux III O’DELL LAW & MEDIATION Donald B. O’Dell PAULEY CURRY Arden J. Curry II VINCENT J. KING Vincent J. King
CHARLESTON BOWLES RICE J. Mark Adkins, Sandra M. Murphy CAMPBELL WOODS J. Patrick Jones DINSMORE & SHOHL John F. Hussell IV HUDDLESTON BOLEN Thomas J. Murray JACKSON KELLY Charles D. Dunbar KAY CASTO & CHANEY William W. Booker LEWIS GLASSER CASEY & ROLLINS David G. Hammond NELSON MULLINS RILEY & SCARBOROUGH Marc E. Williams SPILMAN THOMAS & BATTLE Amy King Condaras, James S. Crockett, Jr., Bruce M. Jacobs STEPTOE & JOHNSON Ancil G. Ramey, Arthur M. Standish
MORGANTOWN DINSMORE & SHOHL David M. Thomas PHILLIPS, GARDILL, KAISER & ALTMEYER James C. Gardill, Denise Knouse-Snyder STEPTOE & JOHNSON Kenneth J. Barton, Jr., Gordon H. Copland, Evans L. King, Jr., Randall C. Light
MORGANTOWN KAY CASTO & CHANEY Debra H. Scudiere MARTIN & SEIBERT Susan R. Snowden SAMUEL SPENCER STONE Samuel Spencer Stone STEPTOE & JOHNSON Robert M. Steptoe, Jr., James M. Wilson
ANTITRUST LAW CHARLESTON DINSMORE & SHOHL W. Henry Jernigan, Jr. THOMAS COMBS & SPANN George G. Guthrie
MORGANTOWN BOWLES RICE Andrew G. Fusco DINSMORE & SHOHL David M. Thomas STEPTOE & JOHNSON Gordon H. Copland
BANKRUPTCY & CREDITOR DEBTOR RIGHTS / INSOLVENCY & REORGANIZATION LAW CHARLESTON BARTH & THOMPSON LAW OFFICES Stephen L. Thompson BOWLES RICE Julia A. Chincheck, Richard M. Francis CAMPBELL WOODS Charles I. Jones, Jr. HOYER, HOYER & SMITH Ralph W. Hoyer, Christopher Sax Smith HUDDLESTON BOLEN Thomas H. Gilpin, Janet Smith Holbrook JACKSON KELLY Ellen S. Cappellanti, William F. Dobbs, Jr. KAY CASTO & CHANEY William W. Booker, Steven L. Thomas PEPPER & NASON Andrew S. Nason SPILMAN THOMAS & BATTLE Bruce M. Jacobs STEPTOE & JOHNSON Arthur M. Standish
APPELLATE PRACTICE CHARLESTON NELSON MULLINS RILEY & SCARBOROUGH Marc E. Williams
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MORGANTOWN DINSMORE & SHOHL David M. Thomas MARTIN & SEIBERT Walter M. Jones III
| WEST VIRGINIA
MCNEER, HIGHLAND, MCMUNN & VARNER Robert W. Trumble PHILLIPS, GARDILL, KAISER & ALTMEYER Denise Knouse-Snyder SPILMAN THOMAS & BATTLE Arch W. Riley, Jr.
BET-THE-COMPANY LITIGATION CHARLESTON BOWLES RICE Julia A. Chincheck, Charles M. Love III, Gerard R. Stowers DINSMORE & SHOHL W. Henry Jernigan, Jr. FARMER, CLINE & CAMPBELL Stephen B. Farmer FARRELL, WHITE & LEGG Michael J. Farrell FLAHERTY SENSABAUGH BONASSO Thomas V. Flaherty, Jeffrey M. Wakefield HENDRICKSON & LONG R. Scott Long JACKSON KELLY Ellen S. Cappellanti, A. L. Emch NELSON MULLINS RILEY & SCARBOROUGH Marc E. Williams PAULEY CURRY Arden J. Curry II THOMAS COMBS & SPANN David B. Thomas
MORGANTOWN BOWLES RICE Charles F. Printz, Jr. SCHRADER, BYRD & COMPANION James F. Companion STEPTOE & JOHNSON William E. Galeota, Robert M. Steptoe, Jr., William D. Wilmoth
BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS (INCLUDING LLCS & PARTNERSHIPS) CHARLESTON
MORGANTOWN
JENKINS FENSTERMAKER Stephen J. Golder
CLOSELY HELD COMPANIES & FAMILY BUSINESSES LAW CHARLESTON ROBINSON & MCELWEE Paul G. Papadopoulos
COMMERCIAL FINANCE LAW CHARLESTON LEWIS GLASSER CASEY & ROLLINS David G. Hammond ROBINSON & MCELWEE Kent J. George
MORGANTOWN MARTIN & SEIBERT Susan R. Snowden
COMMERCIAL LITIGATION CHARLESTON
BOWLES RICE J. Mark Adkins, Charles M. Love III, Stuart A. McMillan, Gerard R. Stowers, Kenneth E. Webb, Jr. CAREY, SCOTT, DOUGLAS & KESSLER Michael W. Carey DINSMORE & SHOHL W. Henry Jernigan, Jr., Christopher B. Power FARMER, CLINE & CAMPBELL Stephen B. Farmer FARRELL, WHITE & LEGG Michael J. Farrell FLAHERTY SENSABAUGH BONASSO Michael Bonasso, Andrew B. Cooke, Thomas V. Flaherty, Jeffrey M. Wakefield FROST BROWN TODD Carol Smith HENDRICKSON & LONG David K. Hendrickson, R. Scott Long HICKS RESOLUTIONS Elliot G. Hicks HUDDLESTON BOLEN M. Edward Cunningham II, Daniel J. Konrad, John H. Mahaney JACKSON KELLY A. L. Emch, Michael B. Victorson JENKINS FENSTERMAKER Thomas E. Scarr, Robert H. Sweeney, Jr. KAY CASTO & CHANEY Rebecca A. Betts, John R. Hoblitzell NELSON MULLINS RILEY & SCARBOROUGH Marc E. Williams PAULEY CURRY Arden J. Curry II SHAWN P. GEORGE Shawn P. George SPILMAN THOMAS & BATTLE James S. Crockett, Jr., Kelly Griffith, Neva G. Lusk, Niall A. Paul STEPTOE & JOHNSON W. Randolph Fife, Russell Jessee, Ancil G. Ramey THOMAS COMBS & SPANN David B. Thomas TINNEY LAW FIRM John H. Tinney, Jr.
BOWLES RICE Andrew G. Fusco, Charles F. Printz, Jr. BREWER & GIGGENBACH William C. Brewer DINSMORE & SHOHL Denise Klug Pentino, David M. Thomas FLAHERTY SENSABAUGH BONASSO Jeffrey A. Holmstrand GODDARD & WAGONER David E. Goddard JACKSON KELLY Stephen M. LaCagnin KAY CASTO & CHANEY Stephen G. Higgins MARTIN & SEIBERT Walter M. Jones III SCHRADER, BYRD & COMPANION James F. Companion SPILMAN THOMAS & BATTLE Sharon L. Potter, James A. Walls STEPTOE & JOHNSON Kenneth J. Barton, Jr., Gordon H. Copland, William E. Galeota, Karen E. Kahle, W. Henry Lawrence, Lucien G. Lewin, Robert M. Steptoe, Jr., William D. Wilmoth
BAILEY & WYANT H.F. Salsbery 304.345.4222 | page 10
CONSTRUCTION LAW CHARLESTON BAILEY & WYANT H.F. Salsbery 304.345.4222 | page 10 BOWLES RICE J. Mark Adkins, Marc A. Monteleone, Gerard R. Stowers, Kenneth E. Webb, Jr. DANIELS LAW FIRM Norman T. Daniels, Jr. HENDRICKSON & LONG Gene Bailey II, Carl L. Fletcher, Jr. HUDDLESTON BOLEN John H. Mahaney JENKINS FENSTERMAKER Thomas E. Scarr, Robert H. Sweeney, Jr. LAMP BARTRAM LEVY TRAUTWEIN & PERRY Randall L. Trautwein SPILMAN THOMAS & BATTLE James S. Crockett, Jr. STEPTOE & JOHNSON Paul A. Konstanty
MORGANTOWN BOWLES RICE Charles F. Printz, Jr. KAY CASTO & CHANEY Teresa J. Dumire STEPTOE & JOHNSON Eric J. Hulett, Robert M. Steptoe, Jr., William D. Wilmoth
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE & COMPLIANCE LAW CHARLESTON BOWLES RICE Sandra M. Murphy JACKSON KELLY Charles D. Dunbar
MORGANTOWN BOWLES RICE Michael E. Caryl, David A. DeJarnett, Michael B. Keller PHILLIPS, GARDILL, KAISER & ALTMEYER James C. Gardill, Charles J. Kaiser, Jr. SCHRADER, BYRD & COMPANION Ray A. Byrd SPILMAN THOMAS & BATTLE Carl H. Cather III STEPTOE & JOHNSON Kenneth J. Barton, Jr., Patrick D. Deem, Louis E. Enderle, Jr., Evans L. King, Jr., James A. Russell
CRIMINAL DEFENSE: NON-WHITE-COLLAR CHARLESTON CAMPBELL LAW OFFICES Gregory J. Campbell DITRAPANO BARRETT DIPIERO MCGINLEY & SIMMONS J. Timothy DiPiero, Rudolph L. DiTrapano
MORGANTOWN CRAIG MANFORD LAW OFFICES B. Craig Manford KEVIN D. MILLS AND ASSOCIATES Kevin D. Mills
CRIMINAL DEFENSE: WHITE-COLLAR
MORGANTOWN BOWLES RICE Andrew G. Fusco STEPTOE & JOHNSON William D. Wilmoth
CHARLESTON
BAILEY & GLASSER Benjamin L. Bailey, Brian A. Glasser CAMPBELL LAW OFFICES Gregory J. Campbell CORPORATE LAW CAREY, SCOTT, DOUGLAS & KESSLER Michael W. Carey CHARLESTON DITRAPANO BARRETT DIPIERO MCGINLEY & SIMMONS BOWLES RICE J. Timothy DiPiero, Rudolph L. DiTrapano Mark B. D’Antoni, F. Thomas Graff, Jr., Thomas A. Heywood, Marc A. FARMER, CLINE & CAMPBELL Monteleone, Sandra M. Murphy, Camden Stephen B. Farmer P. Siegrist, Amy J. Tawney JACKSON KELLY GOODWIN & GOODWIN Michael M. Fisher Thomas R. Goodwin, Susan C. Wittemeier KAY CASTO & CHANEY HUDDLESTON BOLEN Robert B. Allen Daniel A. Earl, Thomas J. Murray SPILMAN THOMAS & BATTLE JACKSON KELLY Neva G. Lusk Ellen S. Cappellanti, Charles D. Dunbar, Samme L. Gee, Charles W. Loeb, MORGANTOWN Jr., Elizabeth Osenton Lord, Louis S. BREWER & GIGGENBACH Southworth II, Robert G. Tweel William C. Brewer JENKINS FENSTERMAKER JACKSON KELLY Stephen J. Golder E. Leslie Hoffman, William J. Powell KAY CASTO & CHANEY MCNEER, HIGHLAND, MCMUNN & VARNER Michael T. Chaney, James M. Stephen G. Jory, Harry Smith III Sturgeon, Jr. STEPTOE & JOHNSON LAMP BARTRAM LEVY TRAUTWEIN & PERRY Larry J. Rector, William D. Wilmoth Steven R. Bartram LANE & YOUNG Gordon C. Lane LEWIS GLASSER CASEY & ROLLINS Martin J. Glasser, David G. Hammond, Steven F. Luby, Ann R. Starcher
names in blue indicate more info available at bestlawyers.com
ROBINSON & MCELWEE David K. Higgins SPILMAN THOMAS & BATTLE K. Paul Davis, David P. Ferretti, Brian C. Helmick, William M. Herlihy, Lee O. Hill, Bruce M. Jacobs, David B. Shapiro SPROUSE & FERGUSON Mark A. Ferguson STEPTOE & JOHNSON L. Frederick Williams, Jr.
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COVER STORY
A Mid-Size Firm Known for Its Large-Firm Talent KAY CASTO & CHANEY PLLC BRINGS MULTIDISCIPLINARY EXPERTISE AND PERSONAL SERVICE TO ITS CLIENTS’ MOST COMPLICATED MATTERS
PHOTO BY TRACY TOLER
S
ince its founding nearly 100 years ago, Kay Casto & Chaney has assembled a team of experienced practitioners who are known for their expertise in virtually every area of the law. Indeed, this year 19 of the firm’s 34 attorneys were selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America—a number that speaks to the quality of the firm as a whole. “We practice law the way it was practiced decades ago in terms of dealing with other attorneys in a very professional, ethical manner,” says Michael Chaney, who serves on the firm’s management committee and co-chairs its commercial practice group. “Because of this approach, our lawyers have gained the respect of judges and other attorneys, which I believe is the reason why more than half of our lawyers have been named to the Best Lawyers’ list.” In addition to having individual attorneys included in the Best Lawyers publication, in 2014 Kay Casto & Chaney was recognized by U.S. News – Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms” as a Tier 1 firm across Charleston and Morgantown in 17 different practice areas. And while the firm is known for bringing large-firm talent to its clients’ issues, it has maintained a mid-size firm setting that ensures its clients receive value and personal service in every matter. “We’re a firm that doesn’t grow for the sake of growth,” Chaney says. “We’ve added attorneys as needed, and that has allowed us to achieve our clients’ goals efficiently and effectively.” From offices in Charleston and Morgantown, the lawyers of Kay Casto & Chaney provide skilled representation in a range of litigation and commercial matters, including corporate, banking, bankruptcy, real property, and tax and estate issues. They also offer services in the areas of criminal and regulatory defense, alternative dispute resolution, construction law, workers’ compensation law, data privacy and cyber security law, domestic law, employment and labor law, energy and natural resources law, and health care law. Because of this multidisciplinary expertise, Kay Casto & Chaney represents a
wide variety of clients, including insurance carriers, small businesses, and Fortune 500 companies, including national banking and financial institutions. The firm also represents Charleston Area Medical Center, one of the largest employers in the region. “Kay Casto & Chaney is a collection of Debra Scudiere lawyers who are very talented and knowledgeable in the and also are well known as leaders in the areas in which they practice, and that’s a bar and in the community. For example, huge plus when it comes to serving our Scudiere is a past president of the Southern clients,” says Morgantown member Debra Conference of Bar Presidents and was Scudiere. “My focus is on mediation and recently elected to her second term on the civil defense litigation, and if I have a Board of Governors of the West Virginia question about State Bar (during a specific issue, her first term she “WE PRACTICE LAW THE WAY such as taxation served as president or workers’ of the organization). IT WAS PRACTICED DECADES compensation, I Recently, she was AGO IN TERMS OF DEALING WITH can discuss it with named to the one of our lawyers OTHER ATTORNEYS IN A VERY National Academy who is an expert in PROFESSIONAL, ETHICAL MANNER.” of Distinguished that field.” Neutrals. She adds: “Working in a firm that is small Boyle is a former West Virginia state enough that I know everybody, but also tax commissioner and lottery director. diversified enough that I can get the technical He recently served as the president of the expertise I need, is a wonderful way for me to Charleston Estate Planning Council. Kay, practice law every day.” meanwhile, is a member of the board for This year, Scudiere was one of three Fund for the Arts, as well as a trustee of the lawyers at Kay Casto & Chaney selected as Craik-Patton House, the CRC Foundation, a Best Lawyers Lawyer of the Year. Scudiere and the Seelinger Family Foundation. was named for mediation in Morgantown, “We’ve had a number of senior while Richard Boyle, Jr. and Craig Kay were attorneys join us over the past few years, named in Charleston for litigation and and I think what attracts them to this controversy – tax and tax law, respectively. firm is the quality of people, the quality All three lawyers have decades of of practice, and quality of life we offer,” experience in their individual practice areas Chaney observes.
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2 0 1 4 S U R V E Y R E S U LT S
DUI/DWI DEFENSE CHARLESTON CARTER ZERBE LAW OFFICE S. Carter Zerbe
EDUCATION LAW CHARLESTON BOWLES RICE Howard E. Seufer, Jr., Rebecca M. Tinder DINSMORE & SHOHL Jason S. Long STEPTOE & JOHNSON Jan L. Fox
MORGANTOWN BOWLES RICE Gregory W. Bailey, Kimberly S. Croyle STEPTOE & JOHNSON Randall C. Light, Richard M. Yurko, Jr.
ELDER LAW CHARLESTON BOWLES RICE Paul L. Hicks
MORGANTOWN STEPTOE & JOHNSON Sherri S. Whalen
HARDY & PENCE David J. Hardy HUDDLESTON BOLEN Andrew S. Zettle JACKSON KELLY Christopher L. Callas, Charles W. Loeb, Jr., Robert G. McLusky, Kenneth E. Tawney KAY CASTO & CHANEY Robert R. Rodecker LEWIS GLASSER CASEY & ROLLINS Richard L. Gottlieb ROBINSON & MCELWEE William C. Porth SPILMAN THOMAS & BATTLE Lee F. Feinberg, Mark E. Heath, William M. Herlihy STEPTOE & JOHNSON Kathy G. Beckett, Armando F. Benincasa, Sharon O. Flanery, David M. Flannery, Robert D. Fluharty, Kurt L. Krieger, Richard L. Lewis, E. Dandridge McDonald, Steven P. McGowan, Ryan J. Morgan, Robert D. Pollitt
MORGANTOWN BOWLES RICE C. Seth Wilson DINSMORE & SHOHL F. Thomas Rubenstein REEDER & SHUMAN Stephen K. Shuman STEPTOE & JOHNSON Patrick D. Deem, W. Henry Lawrence, C. David Morrison
EMINENT DOMAIN & CONDEMNATION LAW CHARLESTON BARTH & THOMPSON LAW OFFICES J. Nicholas Barth BOWLES RICE Robert L. Bays HUDDLESTON BOLEN Andrew S. Zettle LEWIS GLASSER CASEY & ROLLINS Mark A. Sadd
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS (ERISA) LAW CHARLESTON ATKINSON & POLAK John J. Polak BOWLES RICE Lynn S. Clarke, Jill E. Hall, Lesley A. Russo, Melody A. Simpson DINSMORE & SHOHL Mychal Sommer Schulz FARRELL, WHITE & LEGG Charlotte A. Hoffman Norris, Tamela J. White JACKSON KELLY Michael D. Foster JENKINS FENSTERMAKER Thomas E. Scarr SPILMAN THOMAS & BATTLE Samuel M. Brock III
MORGANTOWN STEPTOE & JOHNSON Sara E. Hauptfuehrer, Jamie L. Leary, Melissa S. Watkins
ENERGY LAW CHARLESTON BOWLES RICE F. Thomas Graff, Jr., Leonard B. Knee, J. Thomas Lane DINSMORE & SHOHL W. Henry Jernigan, Jr., Christopher B. Power
8
ENVIRONMENTAL LAW CHARLESTON APPALACHIAN MOUNTAIN ADVOCATES Joseph M. Lovett
BAILEY & WYANT H.F. Salsbery 304.345.4222 | page 10 BOWLES RICE Leonard B. Knee, Charles M. Love III DINSMORE & SHOHL Christopher B. Power, Robert M. Stonestreet DITRAPANO BARRETT DIPIERO MCGINLEY & SIMMONS Joshua I. Barrett HENDRICKSON & LONG David K. Hendrickson HUDDLESTON BOLEN Andrew S. Zettle JACKSON KELLY Blair M. Gardner, Barbara D. Little, Robert G. McLusky, James R. Snyder, Michael B. Victorson NELSON MULLINS RILEY & SCARBOROUGH Marc E. Williams ROBINSON & MCELWEE Robert E. Lannan II, David L. Yaussy SPILMAN THOMAS & BATTLE M. Ann Bradley, James S. Crockett, Jr., Niall A. Paul, Allyn G. Turner, John C. Wilkinson STEPTOE & JOHNSON Kathy G. Beckett, Armando F. Benincasa, David M. Flannery, Edward L. Kropp, Richard L. Lewis, Robert D. Pollitt THOMAS COMBS & SPANN David B. Thomas
MORGANTOWN KAY CASTO & CHANEY Timothy P. Stranko STEPTOE & JOHNSON W. Henry Lawrence, Robert M. Steptoe, Jr.
| WEST VIRGINIA
GOODWIN & GOODWIN Michael I. Spiker JACKSON KELLY Thomas J. Hurney, Jr., James W. Thomas LEWIS GLASSER CASEY & ROLLINS Thomas G. Casto
ETHICS & PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY LAW CHARLESTON BOWLES RICE Ellen Maxwell-Hoffman JACKSON KELLY Jill McIntyre
MORGANTOWN
FAMILY LAW CHARLESTON ABRAMS & BYRON C. Elton Byron, Jr. ANITA HAROLD ASHLEY ATTORNEY AT LAW Anita Harold Ashley JAMES WILSON DOUGLAS James Wilson Douglas PEPPER & NASON Andrew S. Nason R. JOSEPH ZAK R. Joseph Zak
CASEY & CHAPMAN Patrick S. Casey JACKSON KELLY Taunja Willis-Miller STEPTOE & JOHNSON Kenneth J. Barton, Jr., Susan S. Brewer, Gordon H. Copland, William E. Galeota, Charles F. Johns, Charles A. Sinsel, Walter L. Williams
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY LAW CHARLESTON JACKSON KELLY David A. Barnette
INSURANCE LAW
MORGANTOWN DELBY B. POOL Delby B. Pool KAY CASTO & CHANEY Debra A. Bowers SHEEHAN & NUGENT Jo Lynne Nugent
CHARLESTON ATKINSON & POLAK John J. Polak BOWLES RICE Stuart A. McMillan CAMPBELL WOODS R. Carter Elkins FLAHERTY SENSABAUGH BONASSO Jeffrey M. Wakefield GREENE, KETCHUM, BAILEY, WALKER, FARRELL & TWEEL Paul Thomas Farrell, Jr. HUDDLESTON BOLEN Paul J. Loftus, Mary Hylton Sanders JACKSON KELLY J. Rudy Martin JENKINS FENSTERMAKER Lee Murray Hall KAY CASTO & CHANEY John R. Hoblitzell, John R. McGhee, Jr. KESNER & KESNER Brent K. Kesner, Tanya M. Kesner LAMP BARTRAM LEVY TRAUTWEIN & PERRY James D. Lamp MOORE & BISER Rita Massie Biser, W. Michael Moore NELSON MULLINS RILEY & SCARBOROUGH Robert L. Massie O’DELL LAW & MEDIATION Donald B. O’Dell SPILMAN THOMAS & BATTLE Don C. A. Parker STEPTOE & JOHNSON W. Randolph Fife, Michelle E. Piziak, Ancil G. Ramey VINCENT J. KING Vincent J. King
FIRST AMENDMENT LAW CHARLESTON BOWLES RICE Stuart A. McMillan
MORGANTOWN STEPTOE & JOHNSON Lucien G. Lewin, William D. Wilmoth
GAMING LAW CHARLESTON KAY CASTO & CHANEY Richard E. Boyle, Jr. PHILIP A. REALE Philip A. Reale TURNER & JOHNS Wendel B. Turner
GOVERNMENT RELATIONS PRACTICE CHARLESTON BOWLES RICE Richard M. Francis JACKSON KELLY Louis S. Southworth II LEWIS GLASSER CASEY & ROLLINS G. Nicholas Casey, Jr. SPILMAN THOMAS & BATTLE Michael J. Basile STEPTOE & JOHNSON Kathy G. Beckett, John C. Stump
MORGANTOWN
MORGANTOWN DINSMORE & SHOHL Jill Cranston Rice
HEALTH CARE LAW CHARLESTON BOWLES RICE Thomas A. Heywood, Richard A. Hudson, John S. Moore FARRELL, WHITE & LEGG Tamela J. White FLAHERTY SENSABAUGH BONASSO Robert L. Coffield, Edward C. Martin
COOPER LAW OFFICES Daniel C. Cooper, Jamison H. Cooper FITZSIMMONS LAW FIRM Robert P. Fitzsimmons FLAHERTY SENSABAUGH BONASSO Jeffrey A. Holmstrand KAY CASTO & CHANEY Teresa J. Dumire MARTIN & SEIBERT E. Kay Fuller, Walter M. Jones III, Clarence E. Martin III, Susan R. Snowden, Michael M. Stevens MCNEER, HIGHLAND, MCMUNN & VARNER James N. Riley, James A. Varner, Sr. STEPTOE & JOHNSON Laurie C. Barbe, Lucien G. Lewin, James M. Wilson
names in blue indicate more info available at bestlawyers.com
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAW
MORGANTOWN
LABOR & EMPLOYMENT LAW
BOWLES RICE Charles F. Printz, Jr. CASSIDY, MYERS, COGAN & VOEGELIN Patrick S. Cassidy HAMMER, FERRETTI AND SCHIAVONI, ATTORNEYS AT LAW David M. Hammer, Robert J. Schiavoni JACKSON KELLY Larry W. Blalock, Stephen M. LaCagnin LAW OFFICES OF ALLAN N. KARLIN AND ASSOCIATES Allan N. Karlin, Jane E. Peak PHILLIPS, GARDILL, KAISER & ALTMEYER Edward M. George III SCHRADER, BYRD & COMPANION James F. Companion, Frank X. Duff SPILMAN THOMAS & BATTLE Larissa C. Dean, James A. Walls STEPTOE & JOHNSON A. Neal Barkus, Rodney L. Bean, John R. Callcott, David E. Dick, John R. Merinar, Jr., C. David Morrison, Larry J. Rector, Robert M. Steptoe, Jr., Carolyn A. Wade, Richard M. Yurko, Jr.
CHARLESTON
LAND USE & ZONING LAW
CHARLESTON DINSMORE & SHOHL Monika J. Hussell JACKSON KELLY David A. Barnette
MORGANTOWN BOWLES RICE Andrew G. Fusco
INTERNATIONAL ARBITRATION CHARLESTON A. ANDREW MACQUEEN A. Andrew MacQueen III BOWLES RICE Edward D. McDevitt JACKSON KELLY J. Rudy Martin
ATKINSON & POLAK Mark A. Atkinson BAILEY & GLASSER Ricklin Brown
BAILEY & WYANT Charles R. Bailey 304.345.4222 | page 10 BAYLESS LAW FIRM Kathryn Reed Bayless BOWLES RICE Mark H. Dellinger DINSMORE & SHOHL Allison S. Bungard, Mark A. Carter, Anna M. Dailey, Brian J. Moore, Ashley C. Pack, William E. Robinson, Forrest H. Roles DITRAPANO BARRETT DIPIERO MCGINLEY & SIMMONS Lonnie C. Simmons FARRELL, WHITE & LEGG Joseph M. Farrell, Jr., Michael J. Farrell, Charlotte A. Hoffman Norris HUDDLESTON BOLEN John H. Mahaney, Kevin A. Nelson, Scott K. Sheets JACKSON KELLY Erin E. Magee, Al F. Sebok, Daniel L. Stickler, Roger A. Wolfe JENKINS FENSTERMAKER Thomas E. Scarr KAY CASTO & CHANEY Constance H. Weber, Stephen A. Weber LEWIS GLASSER CASEY & ROLLINS Webster J. Arceneaux III NELSON MULLINS RILEY & SCARBOROUGH Marc E. Williams PULLIN, FOWLER, FLANAGAN, BROWN & POE Johnnie E. Brown PYLES, TURNER & MICK Bradley J. Pyles RANSON LAW OFFICES J. Michael Ranson ROBINSON & MCELWEE Joseph M. Price RUSEN & AUVIL Walt L. Auvil SPILMAN THOMAS & BATTLE Lewis G. Brewer, Kevin L. Carr, Eric W. Iskra, Eric E. Kinder, Niall A. Paul, John R. Teare, Jr., Charles L. Woody SPROUSE & FERGUSON Mark A. Ferguson STEPTOE & JOHNSON Bryan R. Cokeley, Jan L. Fox, Thomas S. Kleeh, Ancil G. Ramey, Christopher L. Slaughter, Joanna I. Tabit
CHARLESTON DINSMORE & SHOHL Christopher B. Power LEWIS GLASSER CASEY & ROLLINS Mark A. Sadd
MORGANTOWN STEPTOE & JOHNSON Kenneth J. Barton, Jr., William D. Wilmoth
LEGAL MALPRACTICE LAW CHARLESTON BOWLES RICE Gerard R. Stowers FLAHERTY SENSABAUGH BONASSO Thomas V. Flaherty JACKSON KELLY Stephen R. Crislip, Jill McIntyre NELSON MULLINS RILEY & SCARBOROUGH Marc E. Williams WINTER JOHNSON & HILL David D. Johnson III, Larry A. Winter
MORGANTOWN MCNEER, HIGHLAND, MCMUNN & VARNER James A. Varner, Sr. STEPTOE & JOHNSON Susan S. Brewer, Bridget M. Cohee, William E. Galeota, William D. Wilmoth
MASS TORT LITIGATION / CLASS ACTIONS CHARLESTON BOWLES RICE Robert L. Hogan, Diana Leigh Johnson, Charles M. Love III, Phyllis M. Potterfield HENDRICKSON & LONG Jeffry Hall HILL, PETERSON, CARPER, BEE & DEITZLER Harry G. Deitzler, R. Edison Hill HUDDLESTON BOLEN Rodney L. Baker II, Luke Andrew Lafferre, John H. Mahaney JACKSON KELLY Gretchen M. Callas, Matthew A. Nelson, Michael B. Victorson JENKINS FENSTERMAKER Brian S. Lindsay, Robert H. Sweeney, Jr. NELSON MULLINS RILEY & SCARBOROUGH Robert L. Massie, Marc E. Williams ROBINSON & MCELWEE Joseph S. Beeson, John C. Palmer IV
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has named individuals as “Lawyers of the Year” in West Virginia, based on their particularly high level of peer recognition.
WEST VIRGINIA
ADMINISTRATIVE / REGULATORY LAW
ENERGY LAW
MINING LAW
F. Thomas Graff, Jr.
Lee F. Feinberg C. Seth Wilson
APPELLATE PRACTICE
ENVIRONMENTAL LAW
NATURAL RESOURCES LAW
Susan R. Snowden ARBITRATION
Donald B. O’Dell
BANKING & FINANCE LAW
Kenneth J. Barton, Jr.* Bruce M. Jacobs* Evans L. King, Jr. Arthur M. Standish
MICHAEL J. FARRELL
SUSAN R. SNOWDEN
LI TIG ATION – L ABOR & EMPLOYMENT
APPE LL ATE PR ACTICE
CHARLE STON
Over a career spanning four decades, Michael Farrell has established a track record of notable trial and appellate work that extends as far back as 1979, when one of his cases prompted the judicial adoption of a modified comparative negligence law that is still in effect today. Farrell has since been named a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, and his peers have selected him as Best Lawyers’ Charleston Lawyer of the Year for bet-the-company litigation in 2012 and labor and employment litigation in 2014. While Farrell began his career handling criminal defense and plaintiffs’ work, he has mainly focused on employment and commercial litigation, as well as products liability defense, since founding the boutique litigation firm Farrell, White & Legg in 1995. Still, he credits his experience working on the plaintiffs’ side with helping him prevail in cases that were considered unwinnable. “Because I worked on the plaintiffs’ side during my first three years of practice, my courtroom demeanor matches up well with plaintiffs’ lawyers in that I’m able to bring out the facts of a case while telling the story of what happened in a creative, persuasive way,” he says. In addition to his legal practice, Farrell is deeply involved in the governance of higher education, having served as the interim president of Marshall University for six months in 2005. The last four West Virginia governors have also appointed him to multiple higher education governing boards, including most recently the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission.
M ORG ANTOW N
As one of the region’s premier appellate lawyers, Susan Snowden has been named Best Lawyers’ 2014 Morgantown Lawyer of the Year for appellate practice. Snowden’s list of recorded appellate decisions dates back to 1986—the year after she entered practice and joined Martin & Seibert, where she is now a shareholder. And she notes that she was interested in the area from the start. “Appellate advocacy is exciting and intellectually challenging,” Snowden says. “Through the appellate system you are able to define areas of first impression in the law, and I have accomplished that during my 29-year career.” Over the past two years, Snowden has heavily litigated the issue of the applicability of arbitration provisions in contracts. Her involvement in that matter has led her to argue before both the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia. Still, appellate law is just one aspect of her practice: Snowden is highly regarded for her defense work in civil matters, and she has been included in The Best Lawyers in America for commercial finance law, insurance law, and mediation. “I have always related to and had more in common with business owners and managers, so it was always my goal to offer a corporate business practice, which has been the hallmark of Martin & Seibert’s clientele,” Snowden says. Beyond her recognition in Best Lawyers, Snowden has also been noted for her community service. She was previously recognized by the Girl Scout Council as a Woman of Distinction, and she is currently serving her second term on the Board of Governors of the Defense Trial Counsel of West Virginia.
C. David Morrison Forrest H. Roles
Joseph M. Lovett David B. Thomas*
Howard M. Persinger, Jr. Stephen K. Shuman
FAMILY LAW
OIL & GAS LAW
R. Joseph Zak
J. Thomas Lane
FINANCIAL SERVICES REGULATION LAW
Charles D. Dunbar
GOVERNMENT RELATIONS PRACTICE BANKRUPTCY & Louis S. Southworth II CREDITOR DEBTOR RIGHTS / INSOLVENCY & HEALTH CARE LAW REORGANIZATION LAW Patrick S. Casey
Ralph W. Hoyer Walter M. Jones III Denise Knouse-Snyder* Andrew S. Nason*
BET-THE-COMPANY LITIGATION
James F. Companion Jeffrey M. Wakefield
Robert L. Coffield
INSURANCE LAW
Robert P. Fitzsimmons Don C. A. Parker LABOR LAW MANAGEMENT
PERSONAL INJURY LITIGATION DEFENDANTS
Stephen R. Brooks Thomas J. Hurney, Jr.
PERSONAL INJURY LITIGATION - PLAINTIFFS
James B. Lees, Jr. David J. Romano
PRODUCT LIABILITY LITIGATION DEFENDANTS
Joseph S. Beeson E. Kay Fuller
Joseph M. Price Robert M. Steptoe, Jr.
PUBLIC FINANCE LAW
John H. Mahaney* Charles F. Printz, Jr.* Randall L. Trautwein
LEGAL MALPRACTICE LAW - DEFENDANTS
RAILROAD LAW
CORPORATE LAW
LITIGATION - LABOR & EMPLOYMENT
CONSTRUCTION LAW
Martin J. Glasser Charles J. Kaiser, Jr.
CRIMINAL DEFENSE: WHITE-COLLAR
Stephen B. Farmer Harry Smith III
EDUCATION LAW
Gregory W. Bailey
EMINENT DOMAIN & CONDEMNATION LAW
Gerard R. Stowers
Richard E. Boyle, Jr. Michael E. Caryl
MEDIATION
EMPLOYMENT LAW INDIVIDUALS
Patrick S. Cassidy Bradley J. Pyles
EMPLOYMENT LAW MANAGEMENT
Ricklin Brown Larissa C. Dean
David R. Croft Craig M. Kay TRUSTS & ESTATES
MASS TORT LITIGATION / CLASS ACTIONS DEFENDANTS
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS (ERISA) LAW
Thomas S. Lilly Stephen M. Mathias* Richard A. Pill TAX LAW
LITIGATION & CONTROVERSY - TAX
Michael M. Stevens Michael B. Victorson
Luke Andrew Lafferre REAL ESTATE LAW
Michael J. Farrell Allan N. Karlin
J. Nicholas Barth
Samuel M. Brock III* Lynn S. Clarke
Samme L. Gee
Marcia Allen Broughton John F. Hussell IV WATER LAW
David M. Flannery
A. Andrew MacQueen III Debra H. Scudiere
WORKERS’ COMPENSATION LAW EMPLOYERS
Henry C. Bowen Alyssa A. Sloan
MEDICAL MALPRACTICE LAW - DEFENDANTS
Susan S. Brewer D. C. Offutt, Jr.
MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS LAW
David K. Higgins James A. Russell
Litigation awards indicated with an asterisk where applicable.
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| 9
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
2 0 1 4 S U R V E Y R E S U LT S
MORGANTOWN DINSMORE & SHOHL Robert Huston Beatty, Jr., F. Thomas Rubenstein STEPTOE & JOHNSON C. David Morrison, James A. Russell
MUNICIPAL LAW CHARLESTON DINSMORE & SHOHL Christopher B. Power STEPTOE & JOHNSON John C. Stump, L. Frederick Williams, Jr.
MORGANTOWN STEPTOE & JOHNSON Vincent A. Collins, Gordon H. Copland, Ronald H. Hanlan
NATURAL RESOURCES LAW
HUDDLESTON BOLEN Richard J. Bolen JACKSON KELLY Kenneth E. Tawney LAW OFFICE OF LARRY W. GEORGE Larry W. George LEWIS GLASSER CASEY & ROLLINS Richard L. Gottlieb PERSINGER & PERSINGER Howard M. Persinger, Jr. ROBINSON & MCELWEE Timothy M. Miller STEPTOE & JOHNSON Kathy G. Beckett, Armando F. Benincasa, Sharon O. Flanery, Robert D. Fluharty, Patricia Proctor
MORGANTOWN STEPTOE & JOHNSON Patrick D. Deem, W. Henry Lawrence, Randall C. Light, James A. Russell
PERSONAL INJURY LITIGATION
CHARLESTON SPILMAN THOMAS & BATTLE STEPTOE & JOHNSON Andrew P. Arbogast, Paula L. Durst, Heather Susan S. Brewer, Tracey B. Eberling, Heiskell Jones, Niall A. Paul, Edward W. William E. Galeota, Charles F. Johns Rugeley III MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS LAW STEPTOE & JOHNSON Bryan R. Cokeley, James W. Turner WINTER JOHNSON & HILL CHARLESTON Larry A. Winter BOWLES RICE F. Thomas Graff, Jr., Richard A. Hudson MORGANTOWN HUDDLESTON BOLEN FLAHERTY SENSABAUGH BONASSO Daniel A. Earl, Thomas H. Gilpin, Thomas Jeffrey A. Holmstrand J. Murray MARTIN & SEIBERT JACKSON KELLY E. Kay Fuller, Walter M. Jones III, Michael Jessica R. Alsop, Ellen S. Cappellanti, M. Stevens William F. Dobbs, Jr., Louis S. Southworth II, STEPTOE & JOHNSON Robert G. Tweel J. Greg Goodykoontz, Kelly Little Guice, JENKINS FENSTERMAKER Karen E. Kahle, James J. A. Mulhall, Wesley F. Agee, Stephen J. Golder James M. Wilson ROBINSON & MCELWEE David K. Higgins MEDIA LAW SPILMAN THOMAS & BATTLE Michael J. Basile, David P. Ferretti CHARLESTON SPROUSE & FERGUSON BOWLES RICE Mark A. Ferguson Stuart A. McMillan STEPTOE & JOHNSON L. Frederick Williams, Jr.
MEDICAL MALPRACTICE LAW
MORGANTOWN CHARLESTON BAILEY & WYANT H.F. Salsbery 304.345.4222 | page 10 FARRELL, WHITE & LEGG Joseph M. Farrell, Jr., Erik W. Legg, Tamela J. White FLAHERTY SENSABAUGH BONASSO Edward C. Martin, Mark A. Robinson, Don R. Sensabaugh, Jr. JACKSON KELLY Robby J. Aliff, Thomas J. Hurney, Jr. JENKINS FENSTERMAKER Barry M. Taylor MOORE & BISER Rita Massie Biser OFFUTT NORD BURCHETT Stephen Burchett, D. C. Offutt, Jr. STEPTOE & JOHNSON Joanna I. Tabit
MORGANTOWN BORDAS AND BORDAS ATTORNEYS Scott S. Blass, James G. Bordas, Jr. CASEY & CHAPMAN Patrick S. Casey FLAHERTY SENSABAUGH BONASSO Stephen R. Brooks, David S. Givens SHUMAN, MCCUSKEY & SLICER David L. Shuman
10
BOWLES RICE Michael E. Caryl, Andrew G. Fusco STEPTOE & JOHNSON Evans L. King, Jr., James A. Russell, William D. Wilmoth
MINING LAW CHARLESTON BOWLES RICE J. Thomas Lane DINSMORE & SHOHL Anna M. Dailey, W. Henry Jernigan, Jr., Donna C. Kelly, Christopher B. Power, Forrest H. Roles JACKSON KELLY Michael T. Cimino, Blair M. Gardner, Charles W. Loeb, Jr., Robert G. McLusky, Al F. Sebok, James R. Snyder, Daniel L. Stickler JONES & ASSOCIATES E. Forrest Jones, Jr. LEWIS GLASSER CASEY & ROLLINS Ann R. Starcher PERSINGER & PERSINGER Howard M. Persinger, Jr. STEPTOE & JOHNSON Joseph G. Bunn, Sharon O. Flanery, Robert D. Fluharty, Steven P. McGowan, Robert D. Pollitt
| WEST VIRGINIA
BOWLES RICE F. Thomas Graff, Jr., J. Thomas Lane DINSMORE & SHOHL Anna M. Dailey, W. Henry Jernigan, Jr., Christopher B. Power, Forrest H. Roles HUDDLESTON BOLEN Richard J. Bolen JACKSON KELLY Michael T. Cimino, Blair M. Gardner, Robert G. McLusky JONES & ASSOCIATES E. Forrest Jones, Jr. LAW OFFICE OF LARRY W. GEORGE Larry W. George PERSINGER & PERSINGER Howard M. Persinger, Jr. SPILMAN THOMAS & BATTLE William M. Herlihy STEPTOE & JOHNSON Armando F. Benincasa, Sharon O. Flanery, David M. Flannery, Robert D. Fluharty, Richard L. Lewis, E. Dandridge McDonald
MORGANTOWN BOWLES RICE Robert W. Dinsmore DINSMORE & SHOHL F. Thomas Rubenstein GODDARD & WAGONER David E. Goddard REEDER & SHUMAN Stephen K. Shuman STEPTOE & JOHNSON Patrick D. Deem, W. Henry Lawrence, James A. Russell
NON-PROFIT / CHARITIES LAW CHARLESTON BOWLES RICE Lesley A. Russo, Melody A. Simpson
MORGANTOWN BOWLES RICE David A. DeJarnett STEPTOE & JOHNSON Thomas A. Vorbach, Melissa S. Watkins
OIL & GAS LAW CHARLESTON BOWLES RICE F. Thomas Graff, Jr., J. Thomas Lane, Marc A. Monteleone, George A. Patterson III DINSMORE & SHOHL Christopher B. Power GOODWIN & GOODWIN Tammy J. Owen, Michael I. Spiker
CHARLESTON ATKINSON & POLAK Mark A. Atkinson
BAILEY & WYANT H.F. Salsbery 304.345.4222 | page 10 BERTHOLD LAW FIRM Robert V. Berthold, Jr. BOWLES RICE David A. Mohler, Gerard R. Stowers CYRUS & ADKINS, ATTORNEYS AT LAW S. Douglas Adkins DITRAPANO BARRETT DIPIERO MCGINLEY & SIMMONS Joshua I. Barrett, J. Timothy DiPiero, Rudolph L. DiTrapano FARMER, CLINE & CAMPBELL Stephen B. Farmer FARRELL, WHITE & LEGG Michael J. Farrell FLAHERTY SENSABAUGH BONASSO Thomas V. Flaherty, Don R. Sensabaugh, Jr., Jeffrey M. Wakefield HAWKINS PARNELL THACKSTON & YOUNG A. Timothy Jones HUDDLESTON BOLEN Luke Andrew Lafferre, John H. Mahaney, Mary Hylton Sanders HUNT & LEES James B. Lees, Jr. JACKSON KELLY Stephen R. Crislip, A. L. Emch, Gary W. Hart, Thomas J. Hurney, Jr., Daniel L. Stickler, Brian R. Swiger, Pamela Dawn Tarr, Michael B. Victorson KAY CASTO & CHANEY Robert B. Allen, John R. Hoblitzell, John R. McGhee, Jr. MOORE & BISER W. Michael Moore NELSON MULLINS RILEY & SCARBOROUGH Robert L. Massie, Marc E. Williams OFFUTT NORD BURCHETT Steven K. Nord, D. C. Offutt, Jr.
PRESTON & SALANGO Ben Salango 304.342.0512 | page 12 ROBINSON & MCELWEE Joseph S. Beeson SEGAL LAW FIRM Scott S. Segal SPILMAN THOMAS & BATTLE Paula L. Durst, Heather Heiskell Jones, Niall A. Paul STEPTOE & JOHNSON Ancil G. Ramey, Joanna I. Tabit
THE MASTERS LAW FIRM Marvin W. Masters 304.342.3106 | pages 2-3
names in blue indicate more info available at bestlawyers.com
MORGANTOWN BORDAS AND BORDAS ATTORNEYS Scott S. Blass, James G. Bordas, Jr. CASEY & CHAPMAN Patrick S. Casey COOPER & PRESTON John W. Cooper COOPER LAW OFFICES Daniel C. Cooper DICKIE, MCCAMEY & CHILCOTE Melissa M. Barr, Melvin F. O’Brien FITZSIMMONS LAW FIRM Robert P. Fitzsimmons FLAHERTY SENSABAUGH BONASSO Stephen R. Brooks GROVE & DELK, ATTORNEYS AT LAW Paul T. Tucker JACKSON KELLY Stephen M. LaCagnin KAY CASTO & CHANEY Teresa J. Dumire, Debra H. Scudiere LAW OFFICE OF MICHAEL J. ROMANO Michael J. Romano MARTIN & SEIBERT E. Kay Fuller, Walter M. Jones III, Michael M. Stevens MCNEER, HIGHLAND, MCMUNN & VARNER James N. Riley, James A. Varner, Sr. ROMANO LAW OFFICES David J. Romano ROSE PADDEN & PETTY Philip C. Petty SCHRADER, BYRD & COMPANION James F. Companion STEPTOE & JOHNSON Kenneth J. Barton, Jr., Susan S. Brewer, William E. Galeota, Charles F. Johns, Karen E. Kahle, Lucien G. Lewin, Monté L. Williams, William D. Wilmoth, James M. Wilson, James C. Wright
PRODUCT LIABILITY LITIGATION CHARLESTON BOWLES RICE Ronda L. Harvey DINSMORE & SHOHL W. Henry Jernigan, Jr. FARRELL, WHITE & LEGG Michael J. Farrell, Erik W. Legg, Tamela J. White FLAHERTY SENSABAUGH BONASSO Michael Bonasso, Andrew B. Cooke HENDRICKSON & LONG Jeffry Hall HUDDLESTON BOLEN Rodney L. Baker II, Mary Hylton Sanders JACKSON KELLY Gary W. Hart KAY CASTO & CHANEY John R. Hoblitzell NELSON MULLINS RILEY & SCARBOROUGH Robert L. Massie, Marc E. Williams ROBINSON & MCELWEE Joseph S. Beeson STEPTOE & JOHNSON W. Randolph Fife, Joanna I. Tabit
MORGANTOWN FLAHERTY SENSABAUGH BONASSO Jeffrey A. Holmstrand GODDARD & WAGONER David E. Goddard MARTIN & SEIBERT E. Kay Fuller, Walter M. Jones III MCNEER, HIGHLAND, MCMUNN & VARNER James N. Riley STEPTOE & JOHNSON J. Greg Goodykoontz, Kelly Little Guice, Karen E. Kahle, James J. A. Mulhall
PROFESSIONAL MALPRACTICE LAW MORGANTOWN CASEY & CHAPMAN Patrick S. Casey STEPTOE & JOHNSON Susan S. Brewer, William E. Galeota, Charles F. Johns
PROJECT FINANCE LAW CHARLESTON JACKSON KELLY Samme L. Gee STEPTOE & JOHNSON John C. Stump, L. Frederick Williams, Jr.
MORGANTOWN STEPTOE & JOHNSON Vincent A. Collins
PUBLIC FINANCE LAW CHARLESTON BOWLES RICE Edward D. McDevitt, Camden P. Siegrist JACKSON KELLY Jessica R. Alsop, Samme L. Gee SPILMAN THOMAS & BATTLE Lee O. Hill STEPTOE & JOHNSON John C. Stump, L. Frederick Williams, Jr.
MORGANTOWN JACKSON KELLY Taunja Willis-Miller STEPTOE & JOHNSON Vincent A. Collins
RAILROAD LAW CHARLESTON HUDDLESTON BOLEN J. David Bolen, Angela W. Konrad, Luke Andrew Lafferre, Paul J. Loftus, John H. Mahaney NELSON MULLINS RILEY & SCARBOROUGH Melissa Foster Bird, Robert L. Massie, Marc E. Williams STEPTOE & JOHNSON Robert E. Ryan, James W. Turner
REAL ESTATE LAW CHARLESTON BOWLES RICE Carl D. Andrews, Mark B. D’Antoni, Steven R. Hardman, J. Thomas Lane, Gerard R. Stowers CAMPBELL WOODS J. Patrick Jones HUDDLESTON BOLEN Christopher J. Plybon JACKSON KELLY Ellen S. Cappellanti JENKINS FENSTERMAKER Stephen J. Golder KAY CASTO & CHANEY Jonathon Nicol SMITH, LILLY & BALL Thomas S. Lilly SPILMAN THOMAS & BATTLE Joyce Fleming Ofsa STEPTOE & JOHNSON Robert D. Fluharty, James E. Garvin, Nora Clevenger Price, Arthur M. Standish
MORGANTOWN BOWLES RICE Robert W. Dinsmore, Stephen M. Mathias
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Ben Salango PERSONAL INJURY NURSING HOME NEGLIGENCE MOTOR VEHICLE AND TRUCKING ACCIDENTS PROFESSIONAL MALPRACTICE WRONGFUL DEATH WORKPLACE INJURY EMPLOYMENT LITIGATION
108 ½ Capitol Street, Suite 300 Charleston, WV 25301 phone 304.342.0512 fax 304.342.0513 email bsalango@wvlawyer.com
Ben Salango is a partner/owner of Preston & Salango, PLLC. With over a decade of experience in areas such as medical and nursing home negligence, tractor-trailer accidents, employment litigation, and workplace injury, Mr. Salango is highly respected in the legal community. He has tried nearly 50 civil jury trials to verdict in West Virginia, and he has argued a number of cases in the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals and United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. Mr. Salango has proudly achieved numerous million dollar and multi-million dollar recoveries on behalf of his clients. Mr. Salango is rated AVÂŽ Preeminent by his peers in the MartindaleHubbell legal directory in the areas of Personal Injury and Medical Malpractice. This is the highest rating a lawyer can achieve and is attained solely through voting by members of the bar and judiciary. Mr. Salango was also voted by his peers as one of The Best Lawyers in America in the area of personal injury litigation. He was also recognized by his peers for inclusion in Super Lawyers magazine. Fewer than two percent of West Virginia lawyers are recognized as a Super Lawyer. In 2012, Mr. Salango was recognized by the State Journal as one of the top 40 West Virginians under the age of 40. Mr. Salango has been certified as a life member of both the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. The Million Dollar Advocates Forum is recognized as one of the most prestigious groups of trial lawyers in the United States and less than 1% of U.S. lawyers are members. He is a graduate of West Virginia University and West Virginia University College of Law. A native of Raleigh County, West Virginia, Mr. Salango frequently donates time and money to charities and worthy causes in Raleigh and Kanawha Counties. Mr. Salango lives in Charleston with his wife, Tera, and their two sons. He is active in the community and regular coaches youth sports. Mr. Salango frequently represents indigent clients free of charge.