Richard R. "Richie" Heath, Jr.

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 also served as a Deputy Attorney General to West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey.

Richie's experience in public policy, government relations and executive management is extensive. From legislative drafting and in-depth legal analysis to research and communications, his background in the public, private and non-profit sectors provides the ability to offer clients measured, insightful results. In addition, Richie has significant practice in the areas of economic development, constitutional law and civil justice reform, and he regularly assists on campaign finance and election law matters.

Richie's practice also includes work in the hospitality, gaming and tourism industry as well as the state's burgeoning industrial hemp and medical cannabis field. He is the primary author of State of Affairs, the official blog of the Bowles Rice Government Relations team.

A 2002 graduate of the Wake Forest University School of Law, Richie was selected a National Member of the Order of the Barristers, an honorary organization limited to graduating law students and practicing lawyers who demonstrate exceptional skill in trial advocacy, oral advocacy and brief writing. He earned his bachelor’s degree, magna cum laude, in political science from Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia.