James W. "Jim" Thomas

Area of Emphasis Jennifer Hicks is a shareholder in the Litigation, Energy and Natural Resources, Employment and Labor, and Environmental groups of Babst Calland. Ms. Hicks has represented clients in a wide variety of litigation matters in state and federal courts throughout West Virginia. These include complex class actions, breach of contract, coal and natural gas royalty disputes, lease termination disputes, condemnation, employment, nuisance, trespass, property damage, premises liability,...

Mark Simonton is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Medical Malpractice Law - Defendants, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. Mark practices law in Huntington, West Virginia Best Lawyers has recognized Mark Simonton since 2027. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Mark S...

Randall L. Saunders is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Banking and Finance Law, Commercial Litigation, Consumer Law, Financial Services Regulation Law and Litigation - Banking and Finance. Randall L. practices law in Huntington, West Virginia Best Lawyers has recognized Randall L. Saunders since 2021. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professi...

Benjamin Thomas focuses his practice in the areas of mergers and acquisitions and commercial and financial services. He is experienced in advising businesses on various structural matters related to acquisitions and entity formation and general corporate governance matters. Ben's merger and acquisition practice involves structuring, documenting, and managing mergers, acquisitions, reorganizations, and other corporate transactions. He also provides general corporate services to all sizes of bu...

Aaron C. Boone is a partner in the Parkersburg office at Bowles Rice and leads the firm's Insurance Defense Group. He is a trial lawyer who concentrates his practice in the areas of extra-contractual/coverage, liability claims, business disputes, and trust & estate litigation. Mr. Boone received his J.D. in 2002 from the West Virginia University College of Law, where he was a member of the Order of Barristers, the National Moot Court Team and the Marilyn E. Lugar Trial Association. He ear...

Area of Emphasis Matt Casto is a shareholder in the Energy and Natural Resources and Litigation groups of Babst Calland. His practice is focused on energy and real property matters, including the oil and gas industry with an emphasis on commercial, administrative and general litigation. Mr. Casto represents clients in connection with contract and lease disputes, pipeline litigation, toxic torts and energy and mineral law matters including, but not limited to, surface disputes, royalty, leasin...

After practicing law for nearly 20 years in New Jersey and New York, Melissa “Missy” Luce returned to West Virginia to join Stuart Calwell’s firm, The Calwell Practice, LC. After serving as Managing Attorney for several years, in January 2019, Calwell ultimately joined together with Luce and another colleague, Dante’ diTrapano, as partners in rebranding the firm to Calwell Luce diTrapano PLLC to solidify its long-term growth. And Missy continues in her role as Managing...

Tom Lane is a partner in the Charleston, West Virginia office of Bowles Rice and is licensed to practice law in West Virginia and Pennsylvania. He practices primarily in the areas of natural resources, coal, oil and gas, commercial real estate, zoning and land development This practice ranges from complex transactions of mineral property and companies to complex litigation of natural resource issues. He also engages in lobbying and government relations, particularly on issues affecting the mi...

Melissa Foster Bird is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Railroad Law. Melissa Foster practices law in Huntington, West Virginia Best Lawyers has recognized Melissa Foster Bird since 2012. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Melissa Foster Bird is held by other lawyers.

Rod Smith is a Charleston, West Virginia attorney with Rod Smith Law PLLC who represents individuals and businesses in Employment Law - Individuals and Commercial Litigation matters throughout West Virginia. His practice focuses on workplace disputes, including sexual harassment , discrimination , retaliation , wrongful termination , wage and hour claims, and other employment-related litigation. Over the course of his legal career, Rod Smith has recovered more than $10 million for clients in ...