For more than 40 years, Forrest has represented employers in labor and employment matters in West Virginia and 28 other states. While he is experienced in employment law, he particularly enjoys helping employers deal with unions, including avoiding union disputes, settling those which can be settled and prevailing in those where settlement cannot be achieved.

In that long practice, he has litigated many significant cases, including Carbon Fuel Co. v. UMWA, 444 U.S. 212 (1979), which decided the standard by which an international union is responsible for conduct of its subordinate locals; UMWA (Bronzite Mining Co.), 280 NLRB 587 (1986), in which it was decided if unions picketing for work performed by union-free employees can be a jurisdictional dispute; Rum Creek Coal Sales v. Caperton, 971 F.2d 1148 (4th Cir. 1992), which dealt with holding state police policies of tolerating union strike violence unconstitutional; and Muffley v. Spartan Mining Co., 570 F.3d 434 (4th Cir. 2009), which established a new standard for granting 10(j) injunctions.

Forrest has been active in damage actions by employers against unions because of illegally called or conducted strikes. He has tried two cases to million dollar verdicts. He has also been active representing employers in seeking injunctive and National Labor Relations Board relief from union misconduct.

In recent years, he has concentrated his practice in helping clients deal with labor organizations. In doing so, he looks for the fastest, most efficient solution to the problem at hand using the lessons taught by his experience dealing with labor organizations and the authorities adjudicating labor disputes. His goal is that the resolution takes into account the long-term interests of the client and leaves the client able to manage a prosperous future.

Bar Admissions

West Virginia

U.S. Supreme Court

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit

U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit

Education

• West Virginia University College of Law (LL.B., 1967)
• Davidson College (B.A., 1964)

• Best Lawyers'^® (1989 - present)     
  • "Lawyer of the Year" in Charleston for Mining Law (2014)
  • "Lawyer of the Year" in Chalreston for Labor Law-Management (2012)
  • Labor and Employment Law - Management, Litigation - Labor and Employment, Mining and Natural Resources Law (2021-2024)
• Peer Review Rated AV in Martindale-Hubbell
• Chambers USA^®: America's Leading Lawyers for Business, Labor & Employment 
• West Virginia Super Lawyers^® 
  • Employment & Labor (2021)
• ALM’s Top Rated Lawyers in Labor and Employment Edition

• West Virginia Bar Association, Labor Division, first chair
• Kanawha County Public Defender Corp, Board of Directors
• Concord University Foundation