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Russell D. Jessee

Education

  • J.D. Washington and Lee University
    B.A. Virginia Tech

Bar Admissions

  • District of Columbia
  • Virginia
  • West Virginia


Russell D. Jessee
Member

Russell D. Jessee
Member

Russell Jessee is the leader of the firm’s Business Litigation Practice Group.  His practice focuses on resolving disputes for business clients.  He defends creditors and servicers in consumer credit litigation.  He litigates contract disputes and unfair trade practices cases.  He represents businesses in disputes with regulatory agencies.  He pursues medical providers who wrongfully/fraudulently submit claims to health insurers, and he pursues commercial debtors for commercial creditors.  He defends businesses in difficult employment cases, particularly those involving trade secrets and employment contract issues.  His practice extends to review of contracts during negotiations to increase protections for his clients and to help decrease litigation risk down the road.  He also has significant experience in defending class actions.  Before becoming an attorney, Mr. Jessee was managing editor of The Pocahontas Times, in Marlinton, West Virginia. 

REPRESENTATIVE EXPERIENCE

  • Sought summary judgment for purported class claims for wage and hour violations and individual claim of discriminatory discharge
  • Represented creditors in commercial collections cases
  • Defended West Virginia Consumer Credit & Protection Act claims against creditors
  • Sought summary judgment and negotiated settlements on behalf of businesses seeking to collect on commercial debts
  • Defended restaurant against purported class claims for wage and hour violations and individual claim of discriminatory discharge

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

  • 2005
    Steptoe & Johnson
  • 1999-2005
    Covington & Burling, Washington, D.C.

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS / AWARDS

  • Kappa Tau Alpha, National Journalism Scholarship Society, 1988
  • J.D. summa cum laude, 1999
  • John W. Eure Award for Excellence in Journalism, 1988
  • Phi Beta Kappa, 1988
  • B.A. summa cum laude, 1988
  • Thomas Smith Purdie Honor Scholarship, 1996-1999
  • West Publishing Award for Outstanding Scholastic Achievement, 1997, 1998
  • Lead Articles Editor, Washington and Lee Law Review, 1998-1999
  • Order of the Coif, 1999
  • Accredited Fraud Investigator, University of Charleston, 2009
  • Super Lawyers® Rising Star, 2009
  • Judge John A. Field, Jr., American Inn of Court
  • Defense Trial Counsel of West Virginia
  • Defense Research Institute

INDUSTRY / CIVIC MEMBERSHIPS

  • Economic Development Committee, West Virginia Chamber of Commerce
  • West Virginia Bankers Association
  • Director, Friends of Pocahontas County Free Libraries
  • Board of Directors, Charleston Metro Division, Great Rivers Affiliate, American Heart Association

PUBLICATIONS / SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

  • Note, "Pleading to Stay in State Court: Forum Control, Federal Removal Jurisdiction, and the Amount in Controversy Requirement," 56 Wash. & Lee L. Rev. 651 (1999)
  • "Protecting the Employment Rights of Those Who Serve: A Case Law Update on USERRA," Lead Article, The Job Description, Defense Research Institute (Spring 2006)
  • "Bank Customer Privacy Rights – What Can You Do When Something Seems Wrong?" West Virginia Banker Magazine (Summer 2007)
  • Recent "Antitrust Decisions Affecting West Virginia," Defense Trial Counsel of West Virginia Annual Meeting Notebook (May 2008)
  • "The Taxman Cometh: An Examination of Recent West Virginia Tax Appeal Decisions," Defense Trial Counsel of West Virginia Annual Meeting Notebook (June 2009)