Jane E. Harkins was born in Charleston, West Virginia. She received her undergraduate degree in 1988 from Alderson-Broaddus College in Philippi, West Virginia, and her Juris Doctorate degree in 1991 from West Virginia University College of Law. She is admitted to practice before the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals and the United States District Court for the Northern and Southern districts of West Virginia. Her legal practice, while based in Beckley, West Virginia, has given her extensive experience throughout West Virginia.
Ms. Harkins has focused her primary practice on personal injury defense litigation. She has particular experience in the defense of toxic and mass tort litigation, such as proceedings concerning breast implants, tobacco and flooding. She has also represented clients in litigation involving insurance coverage, property damage, products liability and employment. Jane also handles cases involving elder and child law and still enjoys real estate work. She is an experienced civil mediator and is a Mental Health Judge for Raleigh County, W.Va. From approximately 1994-2000, she represented general physicians and plastic surgeons against claims relating to their use of breast implant products.
Ms. Harkins maintains an extensive practice in construction and property damage litigation, both residential and commercial, and she represents individuals and companies involved in the construction industry. She also has an on-going involvement in personal injury defense. Earlier in her career, Jane was active in the defense of toxic and mass tort litigation, such as flooding, tobacco, and breast implants. She also enjoys real estate work. She is an experienced mediator and is a Mental Health Commissioner in Raleigh County.
Ms. Harkins is a member of the Board of Governors of Bridgemont Community and Technical College and is a member of the Board of Trustees for her alma mater, Alderson Broaddus University
Ms. Harkins enjoys a wide variety of activities outside of the legal environment. She is the vocalist for the New River Jazz Band and the Chris Oxley Jazz Quartet. She volunteers with Read-A-Loud West Virginia, reading to children in a local elementary school. She has been active in local theater and dance productions. Ms. Harkins lives on a small farm with her husband, Doug Cochran, where they raise beef cattle. She likes to travel, cook, and read in her spare time.
Published Works:
Schoolhouse, LLC v. Creekside Owners Assn., etal., 2014 WL 1847829 (2014)
Fanning Arson's Flames: The Doctrine of Innocent Insureds in West Virginia, Defense Trial Counsel of West Virginia Index, 1992
Representative Clients:
ALPS (Attorney Liability Protection Society)
Allstate Insurance Company of Canada
CNA Insurance Companies
CSX Corporation
Erie Insurance Company
Esurance
Farmers & Mechanics Mutual Insurance Company of West Virginia
GEICO (General Insurance Company)
Hartford ITT Insurance Company
Horace Mann Insurance Company
Liberty Mutual Insurance Company
Oak Casualty Company
The Ohio Casualty Company
OMNI Insurance Company
Penn National Insurance Company
Philadelphia Insurance Companies
Safeco Insurance Company
Shand Morhan & Company, Inc.
State Auto Insurance Company
State Farm Insurance Companies
The Travelers Indemnity Company
Wausau Insurance Company
