Lonnie C. Simmons
DiPiero Simmons McGinley & Bastress PLLC
Recognized since 2008
Charleston, West Virginia
Practice Areas
Litigation - Labor and Employment
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 involves appealing decisions from the circuit courts to the West Virginia Supreme Court. As an appellate lawyer, he has successfully prosecuted a substantial number of appeals before the West Virginia Supreme Court, including appeals of wrongful death verdicts, employment discrimination claims, personal injury actions, and criminal convictions.
Mr. Simmons was one of the first lawyers in the United States to use DNA testing to free an innocent person from prison. His representation of Glen Dale Woodall, whose case was featured on the 48 Hours television program and is included in the book Actual Innocence by Barry Scheck, Peter Neufeld, and Jim Dwyer, resulted in Mr. Woodall's freedom. It also led to a $1 million wrongful conviction settlement from the State of West Virginia. Mr. Simmons' DNA litigation on behalf of Mr. Woodall led to the exposure of numerous instances of false and faulty work by chief serologist for the West Virginia State Police, which eventually led to the release of other wrongly convicted innocent people.
Throughout his career, Mr. Simmons has obtained significant recoveries in a diverse range of claims, including wrongful conviction, police misconduct, and other civil rights violations. As a member of the West Virginia Employment Lawyers Association, Mr. Simmons has represented many clients and tried many cases involving employees wrongfully fired from their jobs, based upon disability, age, sex, and other types of discrimination. He regularly teaches seminars for other lawyers addressing employment issues.
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 involves appealing decisions from the circuit courts to the West Virginia Supreme Court. As an appellate lawyer, he has successfully prosecuted a substantial number of appeals before the West Virginia Supreme Court, including appeals of wrongful death verdicts, employment discrimination claims, personal injury actions, and criminal convictions.
Mr. Simmons was one of the first lawyers in the United States to use DNA testing to free an innocent person from prison. His representation of Glen Dale Woodall, whose case was featured on the 48 Hours television program and is included in the book Actual Innocence by Barry Scheck, Peter Neufeld, and Jim Dwyer, resulted in Mr. Woodall's freedom. It also led to a $1 million wrongful conviction settlement from the State of West Virginia. Mr. Simmons' DNA litigation on behalf of Mr. Woodall led to the exposure of numerous instances of false and faulty work by chief serologist for the West Virginia State Police, which eventually led to the release of other wrongly convicted innocent people.
Throughout his career, Mr. Simmons has obtained significant recoveries in a diverse range of claims, including wrongful conviction, police misconduct, and other civil rights violations. As a member of the West Virginia Employment Lawyers Association, Mr. Simmons has represented many clients and tried many cases involving employees wrongfully fired from their jobs, based upon disability, age, sex, and other types of discrimination. He regularly teaches seminars for other lawyers addressing employment issues.
Contact & Links
Location
- 604 Virginia Street, East
Charleston, WV 25301
Education
- West Virginia University, J.D., graduated 1982
DiPiero Simmons McGinley & Bastress PLLC Headquarters: Charleston, West Virginia
3 The Best Lawyers in America® awards
Visit Website View Firm Profile Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
- Litigation - Labor and Employment, Charleston, WV (2021)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2025 for work in:
- Litigation - Labor and Employment
Special Focus:
- Employment
- Individuals
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