Top Attorneys Providing Full Service Law in WV, PA, VA, NC

James A. Walls

Co-Chair, Shale Gas Group | Member

Morgantown, WV

office 304.291.7947

mobile 304.546.1584

Overview

Services

Distinctions

Admissions

Resources

Results

Mr. Walls' practice is focused primarily on litigation, arbitration, and dispute resolution. He has tried numerous high-profile civil and criminal cases and regularly advises clients in complex commercial, environmental and labor & employment matters. He also has arbitrated a number of high-stakes commercial disputes.

Education

West Virginia University, B.S.B.A.
West Virginia University College of Law, J.D.

Experience

Represented the plaintiff, one of the world’s largest steel and energy companies, in a dispute involving the construction and operation of a $35 million coal preparation plant
Represented the plaintiff, a large land-grant state university, in a commercial dispute involving a long-term steam and energy contract and tens of millions of dollars in damages
Represented the plaintiff, a mineral holding company, in a case involving millions of dollars in oil and natural gas royalties
Obtained the dismissal of a defendant energy company in a $40 million fraud case, and then sued the plaintiff in that case for malicious prosecution
Defended the leading collegiate sponsorship and media rights’ company in the country in a conspiracy and fraud case involving a long-term contract worth more than $70 million
Defended a solar start-up in a multi-million dollar dispute involving a long-term satellite and data contract
Defended a coal brokerage company in a contract dispute in which the plaintiff, one of the world’s largest coal companies, sought more than $40 million in damages
Obtained the dismissal of the defendant, a developer, in a fraud and conspiracy case in which the plaintiffs sought more than $300 million in damages
Represented a leading oil and natural gas drilling company in connection with a rig explosion that seriously injured seven workers
On behalf of a natural gas drilling company, convinced a state court to overturn a municipal ban on horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing
Defended a high-profile former CEO of a publicly-traded energy company in a six-week trial in federal court in a case involving felony securities fraud and safety-related claims
Served as General Counsel of Anker Energy Corp

Appellate Litigation Battle Group-Litigation Chemical Compliance, Privacy & Investigations Deliberate Intent Litigation Education Law Energy Law Labor & Employment Law Litigation Midstream Services Natural Resources Shale Gas Law Toxic Tort Litigation

Distinctions

Recognized by The Best Lawyers in America® as “Lawyer of the Year” for Labor & Employment Litigation
Nominated by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America for Commercial Litigation and Litigation - Labor & Employment
Recognized by Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business as one of “America’s Leading Lawyers for Business” in commercial litigation
Recognized by West Virginia Super Lawyers
Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America

Admissions

West Virginia State Bar
United States District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of West Virginia
United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio
United States Courts of Appeals for the Third, Fourth and Sixth Circuits

Spilman Recognized in Chambers USA 2023 Spilman Attorneys Named to 2023 WV Super Lawyers List Numerous Spilman Attorneys Recognized by Best Lawyers, Lawyers of the Year, Ones to Watch 2023 Spilman Recognized in Chambers USA 2022 Spilman Attorneys Named to 2022 WV Super Lawyers List Spilman Recognized in Chambers USA 2021 Spilman Attorneys Named to 2021 WV Super Lawyers List Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia Affirms Spilman Client's Win Against Unconstitutional Muni 64 Spilman Attorneys Recognized by Best Lawyers 9 Spilman Attorneys Recognized as "Lawyers of the Year" 2021 Important WV Supreme Court of Appeals Decision Affirms Law on Taxation & Leasehold Interests University Reaches Final Settlement of High-Profile Construction Litigation Matter

Experience

Represented the plaintiff, one of the world’s largest steel and energy companies, in a dispute involving the construction and operation of a $35 million coal preparation plant

Represented the plaintiff, a large land-grant state university, in a commercial dispute involving a long-term steam and energy contract and tens of millions of dollars in damages

Represented the plaintiff, a mineral holding company, in a case involving millions of dollars in oil and natural gas royalties

Obtained the dismissal of a defendant energy company in a $40 million fraud case, and then sued the plaintiff in that case for malicious prosecution

Defended the leading collegiate sponsorship and media rights’ company in the country in a conspiracy and fraud case involving a long-term contract worth more than $70 million

Defended a solar start-up in a multi-million dollar dispute involving a long-term satellite and data contract

Defended a coal brokerage company in a contract dispute in which the plaintiff, one of the world’s largest coal companies, sought more than $40 million in damages

Obtained the dismissal of the defendant, a developer, in a fraud and conspiracy case in which the plaintiffs sought more than $300 million in damages

Represented a leading oil and natural gas drilling company in connection with a rig explosion that seriously injured seven workers

On behalf of a natural gas drilling company, convinced a state court to overturn a municipal ban on horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing

Defended a high-profile former CEO of a publicly-traded energy company in a six-week trial in federal court in a case involving felony securities fraud and safety-related claims

Served as General Counsel of Anker Energy Corp

Distinctions

Recognized by The Best Lawyers in America® as “Lawyer of the Year” for Labor & Employment Litigation

Nominated by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America for Commercial Litigation and Litigation - Labor & Employment

Recognized by Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business as one of “America’s Leading Lawyers for Business” in commercial litigation

Recognized by West Virginia Super Lawyers

Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America

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