Shannon P. Smith
Attorney
(304) 225-0970, ext. 321 | Download V-card
“Clients are full of praise for this highly responsible practice that does not fall short.”
- Chambers and Partners, USA
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Profile
Shannon Smith’s practice is dedicated to the areas of insurance defense, energy and natural resources, commercial law, fraternal law, and general litigation. Mrs. Smith’s litigation practice is focused on appeals, premises liability, wrongful death/personal injury defense, and representation of fraternal organizations. She also represents individuals in acquiring, leasing, and maintaining their interests in oil and natural gas in West Virginia. Mrs. Smith regularly appears before all West Virginia courts and is licensed to practice in the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court. Mrs. Smith also serves as President of the West Virginia State Bar.
Education
| West Virginia University College of Law Doctor of Jurisprudence |
2006 |
Honors:
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| West Virginia University B.S.B.Ad. (Accounting) |
2002 |
| Also attended Clemson University, Calhoun Honors College | 1997-1999 |
Court Admissions
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Practice Areas
- Commercial
- Construction Law
- Energy and Natural Resources Law
- Oil and Gas Law
- Privacy and Data Security Law
- Real Estate Law
- Real Property
- Government
- Litigation
- Appellate
- Commercial
- Construction
- Fraternal Law
- Insurance
- PersonaΙ Injury – Defendants
- Product Liability – Defendants
- Real Estate
- Trusts and Estates
- Mediation Services
- Mediation
Experience
| Member: Kay Casto & Chaney PLLC | 2015 – Present |
| Associate, Kay Casto & Chaney PLLC | 2008 – 2014 |
| Associate, Waters, Warner & Harris, PLLC | 2006 – 2008 |
| Summer Law Clerk, West Virginia Public Defender Services | 2005 |
| Summer Law Clerk, Legal Aid of West Virginia | 2004 |
| Adjunct Lecturer, Appellate Advocacy, West Virginia University College of Law |
2007 – 2021 |
| Adjunct Lecturer, Trial Advocacy, West Virginia University College of Law |
2021 – 2022 |
| Adjunct Lecturer, Practical Legal Writing I, West Virginia University College of Law |
2013 – 2015 |
| Teaching Assistant, Legal Research & Writing, West Virginia University College of Law |
2004 – 2006 |
Accolades
- Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rating of AV Preeminent, 2012-Present
- Litigation Counsel of America, Fellow 2022
- Best Lawyers in America (Insurance Law, Litigation – Insurance, and Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants) 2020-2022
- Martindale-Hubbell Bar Register of Preeminent Women Lawyers, 2012-Present
- Young Lawyer of the Year, West Virginia State Bar, 2015
- Westfield Insurance Golden Gavel Award for Successful Trial Results, 2014.
- West Virginia University College of Law Women’s Leadership Counsel’s Outstanding Woman in the Law for Private Practice, 2014.
- West Virginia Rising Star, Super Lawyers, 2012-2019.
- Relay for Life Team Captain, American Cancer Society, 2007-2018.
- Judge, Baker Cup Competition, West Virginia University College of Law Moot Court Board, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2012.
- Judge, National Energy and Sustainability Moot Court Competition, 2012, 2014, 2019, 2021, 2022.
- Graduate, Leadership Monongalia, 2010.
- Speaker, Monongalia County Bar Association Law Day, Mylan Park Elementary School, 2009.
- Mentor, Monongalia County Teen Court, 2008-2009.
- Coach, Marlyn E. Lugar Trial Association Gourley Cup Team, West Virginia University College of Law, 2007.
- Judge, West Virginia Invitational Competition, West Virginia University College of Law, 2007.
Involvement
President, West Virginia State Bar, 2024-2025
Member (by election), Board of Governors, 2017 – Present
President-Elect, 2023-2024
Vice President, 2022-2023
Representative, District 14 (Marion and Monongalia Counties), 2018-2022
Chair, Young Lawyer Section, 2017-2018
- Member (by election), Young Lawyer Section Executive Committee, 2012-2019
Immediate Past Chair, 2018-2019
Chair, 2017-2018
Vice-Chair, 2016-2017
Secretary, 2015-2016
Representative, District 14 (Marion and Monongalia Counties), 2012-2015
- Chair (by appointment), IOLTA Advisory Committee, 2018 – Present
- Commissioner (by appointment), District Grievance Committee, 2018 – Present
- Member (by appointment), Publications Committee of THE WEST VIRGINIA LAWYER, 2018 – Present
- Member, Energy Law Committee
- Member, Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee
- Chair, Magistrate Court Mediation Subcommittee, 2007-2011
Member, WVU College of Law Visiting Committee, 2017 – 2018, 2022 – Present
Member, WV Law Institute, 2017 – 2018, 2022 – Present
Member, Monongalia County Bar Association
- President, 2015
- Vice President, 2014
Member, Defense Trial Counsel of West Virginia
- Vice Chair, Energy Law Committee, 2012 – 2015
Young Lawyers Liaison, MERITAS Law Firms Worldwide, 2012 – 2015
Member, DRI
Member, Energy & Mineral Law Foundation
Board of Directors, Morgantown Early Learning Facility
- Vice President, 2014 – 2018
Publications
- Smith, S., “Home and Work: A Balancing Act Worth the Effort,” THE WEST VIRGINIA LAWYER, Issue 37, Spring 2018, at 16-17.
- Smith, S., “Young Lawyers: Good Manners for ‘Social’ Butterflies,” THE WEST VIRGINIA LAWYER, Issue 36, Winter 2017-18, at 14-15.
- Shoub, T., Smith, S., & Mellace, M., “Getting Social,” THE WEST VIRGINIA LAWYER, Issue 35, Fall 2017, at 50-51.
Smith, S., “Young Lawyers: The Case for Mentors,” THE WEST VIRGINIA LAWYER, Issue 35, Fall 2017, at 14-15. - Smith, S., “Young Lawyers: The Year of Shannon,” THE WEST VIRGINIA LAWYER, Issue 34, Fall 2017, at 14-15.
- Smith, S. & Swann, W., “Open and Obvious: Not So Obvious Anymore,” DEFENSE TRIAL COUNSEL NOTEBOOK OF ARTICLES, May 2014.
- Capece, C., Hoblitzell, J, & Smith, S., “Learn From the 2013 Holidays: Avoid Cyber Crimes,” THE STATE JOURNAL OF WEST VIRGINIA, February 21, 2014.
- Dumire, T. & Smith, S., “The Risks of Multi-Unit Residential Construction Litigation,” FOR THE DEFENSE, June 2012, at 62-66, 72-74.
- Smith, S., “Magistrate Court Mediation Training: The Magistrate Court Mediation Program is an Asset to the Legal Profession as Well as the Public at Large,” THE WEST VIRGINIA LAWYER, April-June 2011, at 16-17.
- Smith, S., “The Need for Implementing ADR Into Traditional, Law School Courses,” THE WEST VIRGINIA LAWYER, November/December 2007, at 76.
Presentations
- “The West Virginia State Bar – At Your Service,” Monongalia County Bar Association, January 2019
- “Keeping the Jury’s Attention – How Technology Can Help,” West Virginia State Bar Annual Meeting, May 2014.
- Magistrate Court Mediation Training, West Virginia University College of Law, January 2011.
- “Water and Energy: Balancing Essential Needs for the Quality of Human Life,” 31st Annual Institute, Energy & Mineral Law Foundation, Amelia Island, FL, May 2010 [assistance for Joyce McConnell, the William J. Maier, Jr., Dean & Thomas R. Goodwin Professor of Law at West Virginia University College of Law].
- Magistrate Court Mediation Training, West Virginia University College of Law, January 2010.
- “Introduction to Mediation,” Basic Mediation Training for The West Virginia State Bar, Flatwoods, WV, July 2009.
- “Mediation in West Virginia,” West Virginia University College of Law ADR Day, February, 2009.
- Magistrate Court Mediation Training, West Virginia University College of Law, January 2009.
- Magistrate Court Mediation Training, West Virginia University College of Law, February 2008.
- “The Importance of Effective Dispute Resolution,” Rotary Club of Harrison County, February 2008.
- Magistrate Court Mediation Training, West Virginia University College of Law, February 2007.