Press Releases

Winston-Salem, N.C. — Spilman Thomas & Battle (Spilman) announced that partner Erin Jones Adams has earned the Association of Workplace Investigators (AWI) Certificate Holder designation (AWI-CH), further enhancing the firm’s robust workplace investigations capabilities ...

Charleston, W.Va. — Spilman Thomas & Battle (Spilman) announced that A. Garner Marks, current General Counsel to the West Virginia Department of Commerce, will join the law firm as a partner next month. Marks possesses significant public sector experience and a strong record of advancing major economic development initiatives across West Virginia ...

Roanoke, Va. — Spilman Thomas & Battle (Spilman) announced that four of the firm’s Virginia-based lawyers were recognized by Super Lawyers for 2026, a distinction that honors outstanding lawyers across a wide range of practice areas. The objective of the Super Lawyers selection process is to create a credible, comprehensive and diverse listing of outstanding attorneys ...

Charleston, W.Va. — Spilman Thomas & Battle (Spilman) announced that 14 of the firm’s West Virginia-based lawyers were recognized by Super Lawyers for 2026. The objective of the Super Lawyers selection process is to create a credible, comprehensive and diverse listing of outstanding attorneys from more than 70 practice areas ...

Roanoke, Va. — Spilman Thomas & Battle (Spilman) announced that Robinson J. Hubbard has joined the law firm’s Roanoke office as Counsel, strengthening the firm’s capabilities in local government and public entity representation. Hubbard’s primary area of practice is local government law, with particular emphasis on matters involving Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), Conflict of Interests Act (COIA), and constitutional law ...

Wheeling, W.Va. — Spilman Thomas & Battle (Spilman) announced that attorney Lisa M. Hawrot received the 2025 Distinguished Pro Bono Award from Legal Aid of West Virginia in recognition of her exceptional commitment to pro bono service. The Distinguished Pro Bono Award recognizes a lawyer or law firm whose pro bono efforts in a given year have gone “above and beyond” the call of duty and are deserving of special recognition ...

Winston-Salem, N.C. — Spilman Thomas & Battle (Spilman) announced that partner Steven C. Hemric was recognized on the North Carolina Super Lawyers “Rising Stars” list for 2026. Hemric practices in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia with a focus on advising construction industry clients across all project stages, from bidding and contract negotiation through resolution of jobsite disputes and litigation ...

Winston-Salem, N.C. — Spilman Thomas & Battle (Spilman) announced that Annalee N. Blanks has joined the law firm as an Associate in its North Carolina office. Blanks focuses her practice on litigation, with particular emphasis on commercial and construction litigation, fiduciary disputes, and commercial collections. She represents clients across a wide range of litigation matters and regularly advises businesses on risk management and pre-litigation strategy ...

Huntington, W.Va. — Spilman Thomas & Battle (Spilman) announced that Sara E. Chapman has joined the law firm’s Huntington office, further strengthening its litigation and healthcare practices. Chapman brings extensive experience in complex civil litigation, regulatory compliance, and healthcare law ...

Charleston, W.Va. — Spilman Thomas & Battle (Spilman) announced that Joseph C. Unger was elected as Member of the law firm effective January 1, 2026. Unger’s practice focuses on corporate, transactional, environmental, and energy law. He represents clients of all sizes in a broad range of corporate and commercial matters, including complex transactions ...

Huntington, W.Va. — Spilman Thomas & Battle (Spilman) announced that David D. Amsbary, partner in the law firm’s Huntington office, was appointed by West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey to serve as Judge on the Sixth Judicial Circuit in Cabell County. The appointment follows the retirement of Judge Paul T. Farrell in October. “I am honored by the trust placed in me to serve the people of Cabell County on the Sixth Judicial Circuit,” Amsbary said ...

Winston-Salem, N.C. — Spilman Thomas & Battle (Spilman) announced that partner Steven C. Hemric was named to the Triad Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” list. “40 Under 40” honorees are chosen through an independent editorial review, with selections based entirely on their merits, achievements, and contributions to their organizations and local community ...

Roanoke, Va. — Spilman Thomas & Battle (Spilman) announced that Jinsu Sohn recently was hired as an associate attorney. Sohn previously served the firm as a paralegal. “Jinsu has already demonstrated exceptional dedication, skill, and professionalism in his time with us as a paralegal,” said Lori D. Thompson, Member in Charge of Spilman’s Roanoke office ...

Roanoke, Va. — Spilman Thomas & Battle (Spilman) announced that two of its partners, Lori D. Thompson and Robert A. Ziogas, have been selected to the 26th edition of ­Virginia Business magazine’s “Legal Elite” list. Virginia Business magazine’s “Legal Elite” list is an annual peer-driven compilation of top-performing attorneys licensed in Virginia, across multiple practice areas ...

Charleston, W.Va. — Spilman Thomas & Battle (Spilman) announced that partner Gerald M. Titus III has been appointed by Governor Patrick Morrisey to serve on the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia. He will fill the vacancy created by the tragic passing of Justice Tim Armstead. “I am deeply honored that Governor Morrisey has entrusted me with this vital responsibility,” Titus said ...

Charleston, W.Va. — Spilman Thomas and Battle (Spilman) announced that the firm was named to the 2026 "Best Law Firms" list by Best Lawyers in 73 areas of law throughout the firm’s footprint. The rankings are based on a rigorous assessment process that involved the collection of client and lawyer evaluations, peer review from leading attorneys, and review of additional information provided by law firms ...

Winston-Salem, N.C. — Spilman Thomas & Battle (Spilman) welcomed business leaders from across the Triad today for its popular SuperVision™ symposium, offering leading-edge insights and real-world solutions for today’s HR challenges. “SuperVision has always been about delivering practical insights that employers and supervisors can apply immediately,” said Jeffrey D. Patton, Member in Charge of Spilman’s North Carolina office ...

Roanoke, Va. — Spilman Thomas & Battle (Spilman) announced that Suzanne Y. Pierce has joined the law firm’s Roanoke office as Member. Pierce focuses her practice on corporate law, advising clients in mergers and acquisitions, intellectual property, data privacy and compliance, and commercial real estate transactions ...

Roanoke, Va. — Spilman Thomas & Battle (Spilman) announced that partner Bryce J. Hunter recently was named to the 2025 “Leaders in the Law” list by Virginia Lawyers Weekly. “Leaders in the Law” is Virginia Lawyers Weekly’s signature event, honoring an annual class of lawyers who are setting the standard for other lawyers ...

Charleston, W.Va. — Spilman Thomas & Battle (Spilman) announced that Michael J. Basile recently was reelected as Managing Member of the law firm. He has held this leadership position for more than two decades, guiding Spilman through a period of sustained growth. “Through Mike’s strategic vision and leadership, Spilman has cultivated measured growth, thoughtfully expanding our geographic footprint and enhancing the depth and breadth of our legal services and practice areas,” said Eric W ...

Charleston, W.Va. — Spilman Thomas & Battle (Spilman) announced that 71 of the firm's attorneys were selected by their peers for inclusion on the 2024 Best Lawyers list, nine were selected as Best Lawyers "Lawyers of the Year," and 18 others were selected as Best Lawyers "Ones to Watch." Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review ...

Pittsburgh — Spilman Thomas & Battle (Spilman) announced that partner Julian E. Neiser has been appointed to the American Arbitration Association’s (AAA) Roster of Arbitrators & Mediators. Neiser was selected to join the AAA’s roster because of his experience handling a wide range of construction and commercial cases. He has won numerous verdicts/awards before arbitration panels and courts over the past 20 years ...

Charleston, W.Va. — Spilman Thomas & Battle (Spilman) announced that Matthew W. Gallimore has joined the law firm as partner. Gallimore’s primary areas of practice are corporate law, energy law, natural resources law, and mergers and acquisitions. He is a fourth-generation coal miner, having worked both as a surface coal miner and in an administrative position in the coal industry prior to attending law school ...

Pittsburgh — Spilman Thomas & Battle (Spilman) announced that associate Jonathan A. Deasy recently was selected to participate in the Allegheny County Bar Association’s Bar Leadership Initiative (BLI). Deasy holds one of only 15 spots in the program. The BLI was developed out of an acknowledged need for additional leadership training for the young lawyers of the Allegheny County Bar Association (ACBA) ...

Jacksonville, Fla. — Spilman Thomas & Battle (Spilman) announced that the law firm has opened a new office in Jacksonville, Florida – marking its official entrance into the Sunshine State and expanding its footprint to eight offices in total. Kevin L. Carr, a longstanding partner of the firm and co-chair of its Labor & Employment Law Practice Group, is helming the Jacksonville office. “Our move has been in the works for some time,” Carr said ...