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Ralph J. Bean, Jr.

Education

  • J.D. West Virginia University
    B.S. West Virginia University
    LLM Harvard University

Bar Admissions

  • District of Columbia
  • Virginia
  • West Virginia


Ralph J. Bean, Jr.
Member

Ralph J. Bean, Jr.
Member

Ralph Bean has an extensive background in, and continues to focus his activities on, state economic development, legislative and regulatory matters, energy law, and state and federal administrative matters. He is a member and past chair of the firm’s International Practice Group and Technology Advancement Group. As corporate counsel, Mr. Bean has handled regulatory litigation before the Public Service Commission of West Virginia and other administrative agencies.

 

Businesses seeking assistance with administrative and regulatory issues in West Virginia value Mr. Bean’s unique skills. One of the most active attorneys in West Virginia economic development, Mr. Bean contributes an in-depth understanding of the complex legal needs of international businesses and West Virginia’s growing technology industry.

REPRESENTATIVE EXPERIENCE

  • Led a successful initiative to establish an angel investor network in West Virginia for start-up and early stage companies that need capital
  • Negotiated state regulatory approval of the “spin out” of a large natural gas distribution division of an interstate pipe line company into a separate corporation
  • Negotiated the renewal of a FERC license for a large hydroelectric project and persuaded the WV Public Energy Authority to hold the licenses for two additional large hydroelectric projects

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

  • 1995
    Steptoe & Johnson
  • 1986-1995
    President, Hope Gas, Inc.
  • 1984-1986
    General Counsel, Hope Gas, Inc.
  • 1974-1984
    Corporate Counsel, Consolidated Natural Gas System
  • 1972-1974
    Corporate Counsel, C&P Telephone Companies
  • 1970-1972
    Elections Chief, Office of West Virginia Secretary of State

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS / AWARDS

  • Past Chair, Young Lawyers Section, West Virginia State Bar
  • The Best Lawyers in America®
  • 2006 Foundation Fellow, West Virginia Bar Foundation
  • 2006 West Virginia The State Journal Who’s Who in Business Award
  • 1993, Order of Vandalia, West Virginia University
  • 1992, Most Loyal West Virginian, West Virginia University

INDUSTRY / CIVIC MEMBERSHIPS

  • Board Member and Past Chair, Blanchette Rockefeller Neurosciences Institute
  • Chair, Center for Entrepreneurial Studies & Development at West Virginia University
  • Founder and Past President, I-79 Development Council
  • Emeritus Director, Discover the Real West Virginia Foundation
  • Member, West Virginia Chamber of Commerce
  • Board Member, Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation
  • Emeritus Director, West Virginia University Foundation
  • Board Member, Huntington National Bank WV Advisory Board
  • Past Chair, West Virginia Oil & Natural Gas Association
  • Past Chair, West Virginia State Election Commission
  • Past Co-chair, Economic Development Task Force for Governor Bob Wise’s Transition Team
  • Member and Past Chair, West Virginia Council for Community & Economic Development
  • Past Chair, West Virginia Business Roundtable