Best Family Lawyer in West Virginia
Debra Chafin
Family Lawyer
- Attorney Chafin’s background lends itself to complex divorce litigation involving the division of business. Ms. Chafin also has extensive experience in contested custody litigation, contested divorce litgation involving alimony, and contested paternity matters.
Educational and Professional Credential:
- College of Wooster, 1981
- Ohio Northern University School of Law, 1984
- Licensed in Pennsylvania (1984) and West Virginia (1991)
- Western District of Pennsylvania and the Northern and Southern Districts of West Virginia
- Former Tax Attorney in the Big 5 for 7 years assisting individual, partnership, and corporate clientele
Affiliations & Certifications
West Virginia Bar Associations
William S. Adams
Family Lawyer
William S. Adams is a Morgantown, WV personal injury lawyer and the founder of Adams Legal Group, PLLC – WV Accident & Wrongful Death Lawyers, located in Morgantown, and founded in 2011.
Mr. Adams graduated from the WVU College of Law in 1999, and has worked at the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia and in private practice as a WV licensed attorney since that time.
William S. Adams has devoted the vast majority of his practice as a trial lawyer to personal injury claims civil trial litigation. In that context, Mr. Adams previously, for the first 10 years of his practice as an attorney, represented physicians, veterinarians, engineers and architects in professional and medical malpractice actions, throughout the state of West Virginia.
During this time, he also worked for the defense and their insurance carriers in defending personal injury claims of all types, including
- motor vehicle accident claims
- car accidents,
- truck accidents,
- motorcycle accidents,
- boating accidents,
- industrial accidents
- gas explosion accidents,
- coal mining accidents,
- catastrophic injuries
- brain injuries & TBIs,
- spinal injuries,
- loss of limb injuries, and
Shari J. McPhail
Family Lawyer
Education
- University of North Dakota School of Law, Grand Forks, North Dakota
- J.D. – 1998
- Honors: Moot Court Champion – 1997
- Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- B.S. – 1994
- Honors: cum laude
- Major: Early Childhood/Elementary Education
Admitted to Practice
- North Dakota, 1998
- West Virginia, 2004
- U.S. District Court Southern District of West Virginia, 2004
Languages
- English
Professional Associations
- Ohio County Bar Association, Member, 2004 to Present
- West Virginia Family Law Committee, Member
S. Andrew Arnold
Family Lawyer
Areas Of Practice
- Criminal Defense
- Divorce
Bar Admissions
- West Virginia, 1992
- U.S. Court of Appeals 4th Circuit, 1999
Education
- West Virginia University College of Law, Morgantown, West Virginia
- J.D. – 1992
- James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Virginia
- B.A. – 1989
- Honors: cum laude
Honors and Awards
- Peer Review Rated by Martindale Hubbell
- Client Distinction Award
Professional Associations and Memberships
- National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, 1993 to Present
- National College of DUI Defense Lawyers, 2007 to Present
Past Employment Positions
- Public Defender Office, Public Defender, 1993 to 1999
- Preiser, Tabor, Lindsey and Coletelli, Associate, 1992 to 1993
G. WAYNE VAN BIBBER
Family Lawyer
Former Prosecutor, G. Wayne Van Bibber, has successfully served clients in Hurricane, Charleston, Huntington throughout the state of West Virginia for 25+ years.
Aggressive Divorce and Personal Injury Attorney
If you are going through a simple or complex DIVORCE, Wayne Van Bibber knows what’s at stake in discussions of your family’s future. Our law firm offers quality representation to physicians, attorneys, high-profile businesspersons and people just like you in matters of divorce, equitable distribution and child custody and visitation. We can protect your rights from start to finish, from negotiation through litigation, if necessary.
If you have suffered serious or catastrophic INJURY in an automobile accident caused by someone else’s negligence, Wayne Van Bibber will fight for your right to full financial compensation.
G. Wayne Van Bibber has more than
25 Years Experience and a Reputation for Results
Our law firm is all about you — your family, your health, your finances, your future. For legal knowledge and personal service, come to the Law Offices of G. Wayne Van Bibber & Associates, PLLC.
Gerald Hayden
Family Lawyer
Attorney Gerald Hayden grew up in Wyoming County. He has been providing top-notch legal representation for people in southern West Virginia for over 15 years. He is dedicated to serving those who are facing the challenges involved in family law, traffic violations, DUI, personal injury or criminal charges. He has a wholehearted understanding of the community’s values and strives to make a positive difference.
William B. Summers
Family Lawyer
- Owner and Managing Attorney. Manages and practices law with 7 employees.
- Practice Areas Include: Personal Injury, Criminal Defense, Divorce and Family Law, Real Estate, and General Civil Litigation
- West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals Decision, Plaintiff’s Counsel Consolidated Public Retirement Board vs. George B. Summers et al., successfully represented several employees against the retirement board when the board changed the calculation of retirement benefits.
- West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals Decision, Defendant’s Counsel, State of West Virginia v. Richard Alan Poore. Successfully represented convicted murder defendant and case was reversed and remanded for potential dismissal and further proceedings consistent with the supreme court’s decision.
- Bar fight case: Linder v. Early et al., Washington County OH, verdict of $600,000.00 plus costs and interest in favor of Plaintiff.
- Client was college student, Slip and Fall knee injury on unmarked down step from College Building, confidential 6 figure settlement.
- Car Wreck, Death, confidential 6 figure settlement.
- Client injured rollover golf cart, Serious Injuries, confidential 6 figure settlement.
- Client injured in Motorcycle Accident, Serious Injuries, confidential 6 figure settlement.
- Car Wreck, Back Injury, confidential 6 figure settlement.
- Delivery Case State v Canty, Wood County, WV, dismissed at trial.
- Drug Distribution Case, State v Wallace, Wood County, WV, dismissed.
- Arson Case, State v Westfall, Jackson County, WV, case dismissed.
- Drug Possession/Meth Manufacturing Case. State v Callihan, Wood County, WV, case dismissed.
- Embezzlement Case, State v Sutton, Wood County, WV, case dismissed.
- Kidnapping case, State v Lewis, dismissed, Wood County, WV.
- Child Sexual Assault Case, not guilty verdict at bench trial, Wood County, WV.
- Possession of Controlled Substance, State v Macendo-Ortiz, Pleasants County, WV, with interpreter speaking Spanish, successfully dismissed drug case and arranged return of $12,000 to illegal alien from Mexico.
Todd Kirby
Family Lawyer
Todd Kirby was born in Beckley, West Virginia, and spent his childhood in Fairdale. After attending Liberty High School, Todd continued his education at Marshall University, where he received degrees in Political Science and History in 2007. Todd later attended Liberty University School of Law in Lynchburg, Virginia, where he earned a Juris Doctor and developed a passion for family law, which he chose as his main area of practice.
After admission to the West Virginia Bar Association, Todd returned to the Beckley area to establish his own law office. His main professional goal is to provide affordable, client-centered legal services to the community members of Southern West Virginia. He works to provide results for his clients while also ensuring that they feel comfortable and informed throughout the duration of their case.
In his spare time, Todd enjoys biking, traveling, fishing, reading, playing guitar, and spending time with his wife, Beth, son Eli, and his dogs, Marcy and Becky. Please contact us to schedule a consultation with Todd Kirby to have him help you with your legal matter.
West Virginia’s Family Law Labyrinth: Conquer It with a Top Lawyer by Your Side
Facing a family law challenge in West Virginia? Don’t navigate the legal maze alone! Here’s how a West Virginia family law champion empowers you:
West Virginia Expertise at Your Fingertips: Top West Virginia family lawyers possess in-depth knowledge of the state’s family law intricacies: statutes, regulations, legal procedures. They leverage this expertise to provide accurate legal advice and craft effective strategies specifically for West Virginia’s legal landscape.
Skilled Representation: Your Fierce Advocate: Experienced West Virginia family lawyers are your voice. Their strong negotiation, communication, and litigation skills ensure your position is persuasively articulated in negotiations, mediations, settlements, or court. Their advocacy can significantly impact your case’s outcome.
Comprehensive Case Assessment: Leaving No Stone Unturned: Top West Virginia family lawyers conduct in-depth case assessments. They analyze strengths, weaknesses, gather evidence, and identify potential legal issues. This comprehensive approach forms the foundation for a strategic plan aligned with your goals and maximizes the chances of a favorable outcome.
Child Custody & Support: Guiding You Through Complexities: If your case involves child custody or support, the best West Virginia family lawyers are invaluable. They understand West Virginia’s court-considered factors for custody decisions and navigate the process with you. They advocate for your parental rights and work towards fair and appropriate child support arrangements.
Property Division: Ensuring a Fair Split: During a divorce, property division can be complex. Top West Virginia family lawyers assist you in navigating West Virginia’s laws regarding equitable distribution of assets and debts. They ensure your rights are protected and a fair division is achieved, considering factors like marriage length, each party’s contributions, and each spouse’s economic circumstances.
Local Court System: Your Knowledgeable Guide: Top West Virginia family lawyers have extensive experience within the state’s court system. They understand local court rules, procedures, and key decision-makers. This knowledge ensures your case progresses smoothly, paperwork is filed correctly, and deadlines are met.
Beyond Court: Exploring Alternatives: Skilled West Virginia family lawyers understand the benefits of alternative dispute resolution, like mediation. They explore these options to help you reach amicable resolutions outside of court. Mediation can be cost-effective, less adversarial, and offer more control over the outcome. The best family lawyers guide you through the process and advocate for your best interests during negotiations.
Remember, the “best” lawyer depends on your specific circumstances. Research, read reviews, and consult with multiple attorneys to find the perfect fit for your West Virginia family law needs.
Empower Yourself with Knowledge: Explore West Virginia family law resources at the West Virginia State Bar website (West Virginia State Bar).