Representative Experience
- Assists in general litigation matters
- Assists in representation of employers in state and federal mine safety compliance issues and litigation with state and federal safety agencies
- Represents and counsels clients regarding numerous federal and state consumer protection laws, including the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, Fair Credit Reporting Act and the West Virginia Consumer Credit and Protection Act
- Defends financial institutions and other creditors in litigation involving alleged violations of state and federal consumer protection laws in connection with home mortgage loans, unsecured loans, automobile financing, credit card accounts, and consumer credit sales
- Assists as national counsel and managing local counsel in litigation involving state and federal consumer protection laws pending in various states
- Handles all aspects of litigation in consumer finance cases, including hearings, arbitrations, mediations, depositions, interviews, motions, discovery requests, responses to discovery requests, third-party discovery, dispositive and non-dispositive motions, pre-trial motions and submissions, and settlement agreements
- Researches various legal issues and providing guidance to clients based upon research results
Education
- Bucknell University, B.S./B.A., minor in International Relations, cum laude, 2002
- University of Pittsburgh School of Law, J.D., Certificate in International and Comparative Law, Certificate in Intellectual Property and Technology Law, 2006
Admissions
- West Virginia State Bar
- West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals
- United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia
Awards & Distinctions
- Listed by Super Lawyers/ West Virginia as a Rising Star in Consumer law
Publications & Presentations
- Co-author, "How will the West Virginia Court rule in the wake of Concepcion and Marmet?" April 2012
- Co-Author, "Servicemembers Civil Relief Act: What It Is and Why Compliance Is Important," West Virginia Banker, Spring 2012
- Co-Author, "Damages Recoverable Under the WVCCPA," West Virginia Banker, Winter 2011
- Co-Author, "Defenses, Damages, and Attorney's Fees and Costs Under the WVCCPA," West Virginia Banker, Fall 2011
- Co-Author, "Debt Collection Claims: Typically Asserted by Plaintiffs Under the WVCCPA," West Virginia Banker, Summer 2011
- Co-Author, "Consumer Protection: West Virginia Debt Collection Provisions," West Virginia Banker, Spring 2011
- Co-Author, "The Decline of Dunlap: Enforcement of Arbitration Provisions in Consumer Contracts are Gaining Ground in West Virginia," March 2011
- Presenter, “Tips for Effective Settlement Negotiations and Mediation,” Institute for Paralegal Education, October 2010
- Co-Author, “Tips for Effective Settlement Negotiations and Mediation,” Institute for Paralegal Education, June 2010
- Co-Author, “Post Cuomo: The Floodgates Have Not Opened and Watters Still Predominates,” American Bar Association Business Section electronic publication, December 2009
- Author, “Communications with lower-level managers and employees and former employees: when does the attorney-client privilege apply?,” West Virginia Defense Trial Counsel Annual Meeting Notebook, April 2008
- Co-Author, “An Overview of Strategies and Unique Issues Involving Consumer Finance Class Actions,” American Conference Institute’s Sixth Annual National Advanced Forum on Consumer Finance Class Actions and Litigation, 2006