Brian represents companies in labor, employment, deliberate intent, and general litigation. His business-oriented approach enables him to guide clients through a myriad of challenges. He draws on his experience to help clients reach efficient resolutions -- or pursue litigation and trial -- as the situation warrants. Working with clients in the banking, insurance, retail, health care, energy, hospitality, and food and beverage industries, he has guided them through an array of issues, including discrimination, harassment, wage and hour, deliberate intent, unfair labor practice, union representation, injunction, and general litigation matters. Brian has substantial experience practicing in both state and federal courts, including trying cases to verdict, as well as practice before the West Virginia Human Rights Commission, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and the National Labor Relations Board. He has also drafted and litigated employment and arbitration agreements, covenants not to compete, and various other contracts.

He places a premium on partnering with his clients to learn their operations and culture as he builds a strategy that suits their needs. He often works closely with in-house counsel, human resources professionals, and company management, taking a proactive approach to help clients anticipate and overcome challenges before they arise. He prepares employee handbooks, conducts supervisory training, and understands the increasing role of technology and social media in the workplace.

Brian is an active speaker and writer and has published a book entitled The Pocket Guide to West Virginia Law. In addition, he speaks, writes and provides training on leadership, networking, time management and other personal development topics. When he is not practicing law, speaking, or writing, Brian is an avid fitness, automobile and college football enthusiast.

Bar Admissions

West Virginia

Kentucky

U.S. Supreme Court

Kentucky Supreme Court

West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky

U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky

U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia

U.S. District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia

Education

• West Virginia University College of Law (J.D., 2001)
  • West Virginia Law Review, executive editor for research
  • Class treasurer
• West Virginia University (B.S.B.A., summa cum laude, 1998)
  • Accounting

• Mentor of the Year, Dinsmore & Shohl (2019)
• Best Lawyers^© 
  • Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment, Mining Law (2021-2024) 
  • "Lawyer of the Year" in Charleston for  Litigation - Labor and Employment (2024)
• West Virginia Super Lawyers^® 
  • Employment & Labor (2021)
• West Virginia Rising Stars^®
• Peer Review Rated AV in Martindale-Hubbell
• National Kidney Foundation of Maryland, Volunteer Service Award (2008)
• University of Virginia Trial Advocacy Institute (2004)
• Generation Next: 40 Under 40 award by The State Journal (2011)
• Young Leader Award, Putnam County Chamber of Commerce
• Chambers USA^®: America's Leading Lawyers for Business, Labor and Employment (2021)

• Putnam Chamber Foundation, Board of Directors
• Mountain State Rotary, president (2013 - 2015)
• Putnam County Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors
• Leadership West Virginia, Class of 2012 and Former Board of Directors Member 
• Generation Putnam, Co-Founder and Former Director
• Generation West Virginia, Board of Directors (2013 - 2015)
• Defense Trial Counsel of West Virginia, Chairperson of Employment Law Committee (2009 - 2010)
• Habitat for Humanity of Kanawha & Putnam County, Board of Directors (2011 - 2012) 
• Appalachian Reading Center, Inc., Board of Directors (2009 - 2012)
• Problem Gamblers' Help Network of West Virginia Advisory Board (2009 - 2012)
• American Bar Association, Section of Labor and Employment Law
• Defense Research Institute (DRI), Employment Law Committee
• West Virginia Bar Association
• Kentucky Bar Association
• Kanawha County Bar Association
• West Virginia Bar
• Generation Charleston
• WVU Alumni Association
• Energy & Mineral Law Foundation
• Leadership Putnam County, Class of 2009