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Steven P. McGowan

Education

  • J.D. West Virginia University
    B.S. West Virginia State College

Bar Admissions

  • West Virginia


Steven P. McGowan
Member

Steven P. McGowan
Member

For more than 25 years, Steve McGowan has focused his practice in the area of complex litigation, frequently defending major energy and corporate clients in high stakes litigation.  He has tried numerous cases in state and federal courts.  His investigative experience as a former Military Police Investigator and as a West Virginia State Trooper complements his skills in the litigation of complex cases.  Mr. McGowan leads the firm’s Energy Litigation Practice Group.

 

 

REPRESENTATIVE EXPERIENCE

  • Defended death and injury litigation, including jury trial, arising out of the premature collapse of a coal tipple being dismantled by an independent contractor
  • Investigated, including on-scene legal assistance in collection of evidence and crisis scene management, and defended death action and cross-claims in connection with the collapse of a coal silo
  • Defended $100 million fraud and breach of contract action, including a three week jury trial, against corporations and individual employees
  • Assisted client in successfully disputing force majeure declaration by a contracting party related to a $180 million supply contract
  • Represented oil and gas lessee in wrongful death - premises liability actions

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

  • 1984
    Steptoe & Johnson
  • 1977-1981
    West Virginia State Police

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS / AWARDS

  • The Best Lawyers in America® Energy and Mining Law
  • Super Lawyers®
  • West Virginia Defense Trial Counsel
  • Silver Antelope Award, Boy Scouts of America
  • Silver Torch, United Methodist Church
  • Former President, Energy and Mineral Law Foundation
  • Order of the Coif
  • West Virginia Law Review

INDUSTRY / CIVIC MEMBERSHIPS

  • Past Campaign Chairman and Board Member, United Way of Kanawha Valley
  • Past Vice-President Central Region Boy Scouts of America and member of several national task forces and committees
  • Past Chairman, President and Vice President, Buckskin Council Boy Scouts of America
  • Co-chair of the Govenor's task force to bring Boy Scout facility to WV
  • Lead WV volunteer for the BSA Summit Bechtel Family Reserve National Scout Reserve
  • Eagle Scout and life long scouter

PUBLICATIONS / SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS

  • “Independent Contractors in Coal Mining,” Energy and Mineral Law Foundation Annual Institute
  • "Huffing, Puffing and Fraud, Obtaining Mineral Leases Without Complications," several landman organization meetings and conferences
  • Guest Lecturer, West Virginia University College of Business & Economics, Forensic Accounting Program