An Abundance of Activity in April

Fellowship Recipient Suleiman Oko-ogua

Suleiman O. Oko-ogua, Partner, Charleston Office

Bailey & Wyant PLLC's Partner, Suleiman O. Oko-ogua was inducted as a Fellow to the West Virginia Bar Foundation. Bar Foundation Fellows are attorneys whose professional, public and private careers have demonstrated outstanding dedication to the welfare of their communities and honorable service to the legal profession.


The Bar Foundation has celebrated more than thirty years of service since its incorporation as a non-profit charitable entity here in West Virginia on December 30, 1988.


The Bar Foundation, the philanthropic organization for the legal profession and justice system in West Virginia, has several responsibilities and programs in which it is involved. Its primary mission is to make grants to organizations that provide legal services to low income citizens and that improve the administration of justice, including the Public Service Scholarship to a worthy student at the West Virginia University College of Law. 


The Bar Foundation Board of Directors also selects the Bar Foundation Fellows, who are outstanding lawyers and members of the judiciary. Approximately 400 individuals have received this high honor out of more than 7,000 judges and lawyers in the state of West Virginia. The Fellows have joint activities with the state’s members of the American Bar Foundation Fellows, since most ABF Fellows are also WV Bar Foundation Fellows.

Suleiman Oko-ogua and Charles R. Bailey

Firm Members Left to Right: Andrew Herrick, Calvin Tomblin, Daniel LeMasters, Suleiman Oko-ogua, Charles Bailey, Jordan Herrick.

Mr. and Mrs. Charles R. Bailey

B&W Supports the local YWCA


The Charleston and Teays Valley offices of Bailey & Wyant, PLLC and Bailey & Slotnick, PLLC are avid supporters of the local YWCA. As Leaders for Change in Charleston, our support helps sustain the organization to help eliminate racism, empower women and promote peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.


This season, members of the firm attended both the 2024 Women of Achievement Luncheon as well as the Race to End Racism. The firm loves to support the Race to End Racism because it is an event in which we get to see the entire community come together unified for the cause. There is nothing like lining up at the start surrounded by like-minded and diverse individuals and crossing that finish line together. It is always a fantastic event celebrated not only by individuals, but also families and corporations.

Equity Member Jordan H. Herrick with wife Andrea, daughters Josie and Violet, and family pet.

Charleston Associates Calvin Tomblin and Celeste Webb


Welcome to the Team

Of Counsel, David L. Shuman Jr, and Andrew R. Herrick

In March the Charleston office welcomed Charleston native, David L. Shuman Jr. David attended West Virginia University and received his B.A. in Economics. He then received his J.D. from West Virginia University College of Law in 2012. David is admitted to the West Virginia State Bar, the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals, and the United States District Court, Southern and Northern Districts of West Virginia. His practice specializes in the areas of Insurance Defense, Medical Malpractice, Personal Injury and Wrongful Death.


In April the Charleston office welcomed Andrew Herrick. Originally from New Martinsville, West Virginia, he attended college at Washington & Jefferson College in Washington, PA. Andy was an active member of Delta Tau Delta International Fraternity while at Washington and Jefferson College, as well as various other Washington and Jefferson College organizations, including the Washington and Jefferson College Jazz Ensemble and Washington and Jefferson College Model European Union. Andy's practice specializes in the areas of Civil Rights Defense, Governmental Liability Defense, Law Enforcement, State, County and Municipal Government Law, Insurance Defense Litigation, General Civil Liability and Administrative Law.

Wheeling wins a Lengthy Complex Litigation

Equity Member Mark A. Kepple and Associate Benjamin P. Visnic

Mark A. Kepple, Esq. and Benjamin P. Visnic, Esq. of the Wheeling office, in close association with Joseph J. Nogay, Esq. of Selitti, Nogay & Nogay, successfully defended Horizon Ventures of West Virginia, Inc. (“Horizon”) in lengthy complex litigation against American Bituminous Power Partners, L.P. (“AMBIT.”) AMBIT demanded Horizon disgorge millions of dollars of “overpayments” based on interpretations of decades-old written agreements and of the res judicata doctrine. While AMBIT’s claims were unsuccessful, the litigation team ultimately prevailed on its counterclaim for millions of dollars of unpaid rent after significant litigation at the trial and appellate levels. The West Virginia Business Court, Judge Michael Lorensen, sitting as factfinder by agreement of the parties, awarded Horizon $9,168,608. With pre-judgment interest, Horizon’s total award is $12,475,321.05. 

Motion to Compel Granted

Of Counsel, Albert "Abbie" C. Dunn of Charleston

Charleston's Of Counsel, Abbie Dunn, defended a real estate agent alleged to have misrepresented the condition of a home purchased by the plaintiff. Mr. Dunn obtained an order granting a motion to compel against the plaintiff then an order dismissing the case as a sanction for plaintiff’s failure to participate in discovery in good faith.

Oral Argument Victory

Of Counsel, William Murray of the Charleston Office

Bailey & Wyant PLLC's Of Counsel, William E. Murray, successfully defended an appeal and received an order affirming the lower court's order, granting motion to dismiss on grounds of qualified immunity. This issued after oral arguments.

Inaugural Diversity and Inclusion Summit

Charleston Partner, Suleiman Oko-ogua, along with the Defense Trial Counsel of West Virginia, presented the Inaugural Diversity and Inclusion Summit on April 30th. A day celebrating equity, inclusion and belonging. With approximately 70 attendees including over 20 distinguished panelists comprised of law firm leaders, chief legal officer and leaders at major universities, state government, senior level in-house counsel and judges. Charleston welcomed Craig A. Thompson, partner and a very dynamic and well sought after keynote speaker, with Venable, LLP in Maryland.

Suleiman Oko-ogua and Allison Brown, Associate General Counsel, BrightSpring Health Services


Panelists: Charles Bailey, Jill Cranston Rice, Lori Muldoon and Thomas Heywood

B&W PLLC Donation to Shepherd University Tennis

Bailey & Wyant PLLC contributed to the 2024 Shepherd University Tennis program. Equity Member, Justin C. Taylor's son, Curry, is a Freshman at the University.

Curry Taylor, Justin Taylor and Coach Dokken

Justin Taylor and the 2024 Men's Shepherd University Tennis Team

Our philosophy is simple. We provide aggressive and effective legal representation, while being ever mindful of each client's individual needs, goals, and economic interests. No matter how complex or novel, our focus in a case is always to reach the right resolution for our client.

To discuss your case, e-mail us (baileywyant@gmail.com) or give us a call.
304.345.4222 CHARLESTON
304.233.3100 WHEELING
304.901.2000 MARTINSBURG 

Sincerely, 

Bailey & Wyant, PLLC
304-345-4222 
Facebook  Twitter  Linkedin