“You have power over your mind, not outside events. Realize this and you will find strength.”

– Marcus Aurelius

What inspired you to pursue a career in law?

My inspiration came from multiple sources. My mother worked for the FBI when I was growing up, which exposed me to U.S. attorneys and sparked my interest in the legal field. As I got older, I found I enjoyed tackling complex situations and breaking them down into simpler, more digestible pieces. Ultimately, what drew me to law was the opportunity to help people solve complex legal problems.

What sets you apart in your area of legal expertise?

My background gives me a unique advantage. I have a detailed mechanical background that provides me with in-depth knowledge of equipment and machinery. This helps me better understand how certain products or workplaces can present dangers to employees. Additionally, having worked as both a defense attorney early in my career and now as a plaintiff’s attorney, I have insight into how defense cases are approached. This allows me to anticipate potential weaknesses in a case and address possible issues before they arise.

Could you describe the journey that brought you where you are today?

I’ve always been interested in pursuing a legal career, though I wasn’t sure which area of law I wanted to focus on initially. During college and while getting my MBA, I worked at a law firm to gain experience in different types of law – from family and criminal to civil work and business disputes. This exposure helped me discover my interest in litigation. In law school, I focused on courses and extracurriculars that would prepare me for a litigation-focused career path. After graduation, I sought out jobs with litigation-based firms, starting on the defense side. Recently, I moved to the plaintiff side as it felt like a better fit and gave me the opportunity to work with people all over West Virginia.

What do you consider your most significant achievement?

It’s difficult to pinpoint a single most significant achievement, as I try to take stock of the positive outcomes and learning opportunities from each case. However, one particular achievement that stands out was being recognized as the best young lawyer of the year on the defense side before I became a plaintiff’s attorney. This award was a recognition by more experienced attorneys of my capabilities and abilities as a lawyer. It reflected my ability to work on cases independently and achieve favorable results from an early point in my career.

Can you share a case or client experience that had a profound impact on you and/or your career?

One particularly impactful experience was my first trial win. The case involved a physician client who had been going through a very troubling experience for about four years. When we won the trial, the relief and thankfulness my client expressed were overwhelming. It confirmed to him that everything he had done was correct. Seeing the culmination of all our work come together in a trial and witnessing the life-changing outcome for my client was very impactful. It reaffirmed by belief that I’m truly helping people and making a difference in their lives.

If you weren’t an attorney, what alternative career path might you have pursued?

If I weren’t an attorney, I would probably be a golf course superintendent or greenskeeper. I find the idea of taking care of a golf course – from mowing and maintaining bunkers to placing holes around the green – very appealing and relaxing. While I’m not skilled enough to design golf courses, I have a lot of respect for golf course architecture and the work that goes into maintaining these spaces.

What advice would you give to aspiring attorneys who are going through law school right now?

My advice would be to keep your options open regarding what type of law you might end up practicing. Law school opens up many different career paths, and you might not know exactly what area you want to specialize in until you’ve had some real-world experience. Even if you think you know you want to do – litigation, for example – you might not know what type of litigation you’ll enjoy most. Be open to exploring different areas of law and different types of legal careers.

What’s one thing about the legal profession that might surprise people?

I think many people would be surprised to learn that plaintiff and defense attorneys generally get along well with each other. There’s a lot of camaraderie between attorneys, regardless of which side they’re on. The adversarial nature of the courtroom doesn’t typically extend to personal relationships between lawyers.

Outside of practicing law, what hobbies or activities do you enjoy in your free time?

I’m an avid golfer and try to play a couple of times a week. I also spend a lot of time with my wife, our two-and-a-half-year-old daughter, and our pets – we have a few dogs and two cats. My daughter and I spend time golfing together at home; she’s learning and loves to putt on the little putting green I built in our basement. I’m also a big car enthusiast – I love learning about cars, tinkering with them, and working on them. Despite reading a lot for work, I also enjoy reading in my free time and typically get through a couple of books a month.

What source of inspiration or motivation has been the most significant driving force in your professional career and in your personal life?

Professionally, my motivation comes from my enjoyment of continuous learning. I’m inspired by the opportunity to learn about new areas of law and tackle new situations. This drive to keep growing as an attorney and learning new things with every case is a big motivating factor for me. On a personal level, my main motivation is ensuring everything is well taken care of for my daughter – providing her with a good home, a happy family, and taking care of all her needs.

Do you have a favorite quote?

One quote that resonates with me is from Marcus Aurelius: “You have power over your mind, not outside events. Realize this and you will find strength.” This aligns with my interest in Stoicism and mindfulness. I keep a book called “The Daily Stoic” on my desk, which provides daily Stoic quotes and reflections.