A native of Chattaroy, Mingo County, West Virginia. Rob has lived in Chapmanville, Logan County, for nearly 30 years. After serving nearly 10 years as a trooper with the West Virginia State Police, he returned to West Virginia University to attend the WVU College of Law. Rob believes that his training and experience as a state policeman, along with his extensive litigation experience, helps in his investigation and representation of clients in criminal cases as well as serious car crash and truck crash cases.
An attorney for more than 16 years, Rob is admitted to practice in all West Virginia courts as well as U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia and the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. He has an AV preeminent* rating by Martindale-Hubbell for his legal ability and ethical practices. Rob also has been recognized as an expert in criminal defense in West Virginia State Court.
In addition to his representation of clients in personal injury cases, such as car crashes and truck crashes, Rob represents clients in wrongful death cases, mining accident cases, property damage cases, employment law cases and insurance law cases. His practice also includes representation of clients in family law matters such as divorce, child custody and adoptions.
Additionally, Rob is a trained and experienced mediator. He has mediated over 100 cases involving various civil matters, such as serious personal injuries and government liability. He believes his diverse background and experience enables him to be an effective mediator.
Representative Cases
• State ex rel. Sorsaia v. Stowers, 236 W. Va. 747, 783 S.E.2d 867, WV Supreme Court
• State v. Messer, 223 W.Va. 197, 672 S.E.2d 333, WV Supreme Court
• Caudill v. CCBCC, Inc., 651 F.Supp.2d 499, 2009 WL 2524743, 4th Circuit Court of Appeals
• Young v. Appalachian Power Co., 2008 WL 4571819, U.S. Dist. Ct., Southern D.WVa
• State v. Jessie, 225 W.Va. 21, 689 S.E.2d 21, WV Supreme Court
• Conner Tyree v. Pamela Bell, No. 17-1077 (November 16, 2018)(Kanawha County, 12-C-1783), 2018, WV Supreme Court
• State of WV v. Alfreda Coleman Jewell Steele, No. 17-0755 (November 19, 2018) (Cabell County, 16-F-522), 2018, WV Supreme Court
Representative Clients
• Bill's Electronics, Logan, WV
• Chapmanville Giovanni's, Chapmanville, WV
• Dedicated Line Service, Chapmanville, WV
• Pro-Auto Body, Chapmanville, WV
• Night Stalker Guardians, Logan, WV
Classes/Seminars
• NBI - Legal Ethics: Hot Topics and Current Events (Changing Firm Affiliation)
• NBI- Legal Ethics: Top Challenges (Case Delays and Insufficient Client Communications)
• NBI: Ethics: It’s Legal but is it Right?, 06/14/2018 to Present
• NBI: Negotiating Damages, 05/04/2018 to Present
• NBI: Violence in the Home, 08/28/2017 to Present
• NBI: Rules of Evidence, 05/20/2015 to Present
• NBI: Legal Ethics: Changing Firm Affiliations, 06/20/2012 to Present
Honors And Awards
• Recognized as Expert in Criminal Defense in West Virginia State Court
Past Employment Positions
• Avis, Witten & Wandling, L.C., Attorney, 2001 to 2010
• West Virginia State Police, Trooper/Investigator, 1988 to 1998
Pro-Bono Activities
• Conduct Pro-Bono Divorce Clinic for Legal Aid of WV, 2010 to Present
Professional Associations
• West Virginia State Bar, 2002 to Present
• West Virginia State Bar Unlawful Practice Committee, 2008 to Present
• West Virginia State Bar Board of Governors, 2014 to 2017
• Central United Baptist Church, Present
