For over thirty-five years, Bob Steptoe has focused his practice in the areas of labor and employment law and civil litigation.  In addition to counseling clients, Mr. Steptoe has tried over one hundred jury and non-jury cases, and has argued approximately fifty appeals in the West Virginia Supreme Court and the United States Courts of Appeals.  He serves as the firm's Chief Executive Officer. 

AREAS OF CONCENTRATION

Labor-Management Relations
Representing employers in traditional labor law matters, Mr. Steptoe has: 

• Counseled employers during union organizing drives
• Litigated unfair labor practice charges
• Negotiated collective bargaining agreements
• Arbitrated labor grievances and litigated both to enforce and to set aside arbitration awards
• Coordinated multi-state strike preparations and obtained state and federal court injunctions

Wrongful Discharge
Mr. Steptoe has defended state and federal court employee claims for:

• Breach of contract
• Retaliatory discharge
• Defamation, invasion of privacy, and various other employment related torts

Employment Discrimination
Defending employers against discrimination claims, Mr. Steptoe has: 

• Defended discrimination claims of race, gender, age, disability, religion, and national  origin in the state and federal courts in West Virginia and Pennsylvania
• Represented clients before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
• Represented clients before various state human rights agencies, including West Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Iowa, Florida, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Hawaii, and Michigan

Industrial Injuries
As an adjunct to the labor and employment practice, Mr. Steptoe has tried numerous personal injury and wrongful death cases involving:

• Underground and surface coal mining
• Chemical and wood products manufacturing
• Oil and natural gas production

Alternative Dispute Resolution
Mr. Steptoe is a AAA panel arbitrator for both labor and employment law disputes.  Additionally, he regularly mediates civil disputes in state and federal courts. 

Ski Industry Litigation
In addition to a practice concentration in employment law, Mr. Steptoe has represented the West Virginia ski industry in the defense of numerous personal injury and wrongful death civil actions.

PROFESSIONAL AND CIVIC ASSOCIATIONS
Mr. Steptoe is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, a permanent member of the Fourth Circuit Judicial Conference, a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation, an Advocate of the American Board of Trial Advocates, a Fellow of the West Virginia Bar Foundation, a member of the Association of Ski Defense Attorneys, a member of the AAA National Roster of Neutrals, and is recognized in The Best Lawyers in America in the fields of alternative dispute resolution, commercial litigation and labor and employment law.  Mr. Steptoe is also recognized in the 2007 Chambers USA America's Leading Lawyers for Business.  He was named to Who’s Who in WV Business by The State Journal for 2007.
     
Within the legal profession, Mr. Steptoe has served as President of the West Virginia State Bar, President of the West Virginia Bar Association, and President of the West Virginia Bar Foundation.  He has served as Adjunct Professor (Appellate Advocacy) at West Virginia University College of Law, and Chair of the Advisory Group for the Civil Justice Reform Act of 1990 (Northern District of West Virginia).

Within the community, Mr. Steptoe has served as President of the Harrison County Chamber of Commerce, President and Campaign Chair of the United Way of Harrison County, member of the West Virginia Ethics Commission, Board member of United Hospital Center, Inc., and Chairman of the Board of the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce.  He also serves as Trustee of the West Virginia Chapter of The Nature Conservancy.

EDUCATION
Mr. Steptoe received his legal education at West Virginia University College of Law in 1970, where he was Associate Editor of the Law Review and a member of the National Moot Court Team.  He received his undergraduate education at the University of Virginia in 1965, after which he was commissioned as an officer in the United States Naval Reserve and served two years on active duty.