Jonathan R. Ellis

Peter G. Markham provides general counsel and civil litigation services to businesses, health care providers and insurers, and public officials and state agencies. Clients requiring government relations assistance benefit from Peter’s substantial experience in state government. From 2012 to 2017, Peter served as General Counsel to former West Virginia Governor Earl Ray Tomblin. Peter leads the firm’s Broadband and Appellate Advocacy practice teams. Recent victories include: IPI, I...

Charles B. Dollison is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Energy Law, Mining Law and Oil and Gas Law. Charles B., who practices law in Charleston, West Virginia, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Charles B. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Richard "Richie" Heath, Jr. concentrates his practice in the area of government relations and serves as leader of the firm's Government Relations team. Richie's practice also includes work in the hospitality, gaming and tourism industry, industrial hemp and medical cannabis fields, as well as the state's burgeoning renewable energy industry. Prior to joining the firm, he was Chief Legal Counsel and Chief of Staff for West Virginia Senate Presidents Mitch B. Carmichael and William P. Cole. He ...

David A. Mohler has actively been trying personal injury cases for the past 30 years, with more than 200 jury trials completed to verdict winning 90 percent. Mr. Mohler practices in Charleston, West Virginia, but has appeared in most every county in the state except Hampshire and Hardy Counties. He also handles the appellate work on his cases and has at least seven West Virginia Supreme Court cases reported in his favor. He has tried cases involving workplace injury, trucking accidents, well ...

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...

Randall L. Saunders is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Banking and Finance Law, Commercial Litigation, Consumer Law, Financial Services Regulation Law and Litigation - Banking and Finance. Randall L., who practices law in Huntington, West Virginia, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Randall L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practic...

For more than twenty years, Lonnie C. Simmons has fought on behalf of the little guys, ensuring they get their day in court. He started his legal career as a writ clerk at the West Virginia Supreme Court in 1982, before spending five years as a personal clerk for West Virginia Supreme Court Justice Thomas B. Miller. After completing his tenure with Justice Miller, Mr. Simmons began his career as a litigator representing injured plaintiffs. A significant portion of Mr. Simmons' caseload involv...

Melissa Foster Bird is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Railroad Law. Melissa Foster, who practices law in Huntington, West Virginia, has been recognized since 2012. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Melissa Foster is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Area of Emphasis Ramonda Marling is a shareholder in the Energy and Natural Resources and Litigation groups of Babst Calland. Ms. Marling primarily represents clients in litigation and commercial matters. She has extensive experience in complex, high-dollar commercial litigation matters representing natural gas producers, midstream companies, coal companies, pharmaceutical manufacturers, tobacco companies and other corporations. She has represented natural gas producers in litigation involvin...

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...