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Practice Concentrations:

• Workplace Liability
• Product Liability Litigation
• Automotive Warranty Litigation
• Work Place Injury/Deliberate Intent Litigation
• Complex Mass Tort and Class Action Litigation
• Insurance Coverage and Defense Litigation
• Personal Injury/General Civil Litigation

Court Admissions:

• United States Supreme Court
• United States Court of Appeal for the Fourth Circuit
• United States District Court, Northern District of West Virginia
• United States District Court, Southern District of West Virginia
• Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia

Education:

• J.D., Ohio Northern University College of Law (1990)
• B.A., West Virginia Wesleyan College (1986)

Professional Involvement:

• Defense Research Institute
• Defense Trial Counsel of West Virginia
• West Virginia State Bar
• Kanawha County Bar Association

Representative Legal Work:

• Obtained defense verdict on behalf of automobile manufacturer in cause and origin case alleging defective design
• Became involved in case just prior to trial and obtained defense verdict on behalf of automobile manufacturer in case alleging throttle body defect which allegedly caused accelerator to stick
• Obtained defense verdict on behalf of automobile manufacturer in cause and origin case alleging defective design of fuel system
• Obtained defense verdicts on behalf of numerous defendants in trials involving premises liability claims, common carrier liability, automobile accidents and general negligence claims
• Obtained summary judgment based upon federal preemption principles on behalf of automobile manufacturer in wrongful death case alleging defective design of restraint system
• Obtained summary judgment based upon federal preemption principles on behalf of automobile manufacturer in wrongful death lawsuit alleging defective design of vehicle seat
• Obtained summary judgment on behalf of automobile dealer in wrongful death lawsuit alleging failure to discover alleged brake defect
• Obtained summary judgment on behalf of automobile manufacturer in lawsuit alleging defective design of steering system resulting in spinal fracture
• Obtained summary judgment on behalf of sports equipment dealer in case alleging defective assembly of equipment resulting in closed head injury
• Obtained numerous dismissals and favorable settlements on behalf of automobile manufacturer in claims alleging defects in stability and handling, glass, roof, tires, restraint systems and crashworthiness claims
• Represented numerous mining defendants in mass litigation alleging millions of dollars in damages by over 3,500 plaintiffs
• Represented automobile manufacturer in numerous "lemon law" claims
• Represented Japanese tractor manufacturer in cases alleging defective design and breach of warranty claims
• Represented trucking companies in numerous cases alleging serious injury and wrongful death
• Represented coal mining defendants in cases alleging serious injury and wrongful death
• Represented insurers in cases alleging bad faith and violations of the West Virginia Unfair Trade Practices Act
• Represented numerous employers in "deliberate intent" cases alleging serious injury and wrongful death

Reported Cases:

• Mrotek v. Coal River Canoe Livery, Ltd., 214 W.Va. 490, 590 S.E.2d 683, 2003 WL 22852524, , W.Va., December 03, 2003(No. 31395.)
• Arroyo v. Ford Motor Co., 59 Fed.Appx. 524, 2003 WL 550401, 60 Fed. R. Evid. Serv. 897, , C.A.4 (W.Va.), February 27, 2003(No. 02-1408.
• Beatty v. Ford Motor Co., 212 W.Va. 471, 574 S.E.2d 803, 2002 WL 31747282, Prod.Liab.Rep. (CCH) P 16,464, , W.Va., December 05, 2002(No. 30622.)
• Hawkins v. Ford Motor Co., 211 W.Va. 487, 566 S.E.2d 624, 2002 WL 1370223, 48 UCC Rep.Serv.2d 114, , W.Va., June 19, 2002(No. 30357.)
• Moser v. Ford Motor Co., 28 Fed.Appx. 168, 2001 WL 1387600, , C.A.4 (W.Va.), November 08, 2001(No. 01-1303.)
• Brady v. Deals on Wheels, Inc., 208 W.Va. 636, 542 S.E.2d 457, 2000 WL 1784599, , W.Va., December 04, 2000(No. 27664.)
• State ex rel. Hechler v. Christian Action Network, 201 W.Va. 71, 491 S.E.2d 618, 1997 WL 405933, , W.Va., July 16, 1997(No. 23573.)
• Putnam County Fire Service Bd., Inc. v. Kelly, 192 W.Va. 37, 449 S.E.2d 508, 1994 WL 329895, , W.Va., July 08, 1994(No. 22044.)

Community Involvement:

• Session Member - Bream Memorial Presbyterian Church - Session Member
• Kanawha Valley Soccer League - Board Member and Coach
• Charleston City Council At-Large Representative

Awards & Honors:

• Mason-Crickard Scholar, West Virginia Wesleyan College
• Benedum Scholar, West Virginia Wesleyan College
• Phi Delta Phi Honors Fraternity, Ohio Northern College of Law