Teresa Helmick concentrates her practice in the areas of commercial and mineral real estate, government affairs, and election/campaign finance. Ms. Helmick has served in several positions in state government and has drafted legislation passed by the West Virginia Legislature on various topics. She has also represented government agencies at the local, county, and state level. She has represented clients on a variety of issues regarding election laws, campaign financing, lobbying, and other activities of public officials pursuant to the West Virginia Ethics Act. Ms. Helmick was instrumental in the implementation of the federal Help America Vote Act of 2002 in West Virginia, which mandated election reforms.
REPRESENTATIVE EXPERIENCE
- Represented county and city election officials in various election disputes, including election recounts
- Represented a coal company in petitioning for closure of a public road running through an active coal mine
- Represented commercial developer in the drafting of legislative amendments to economic development laws
AREAS OF CONCENTRATION
- Coal, oil, and gas
- Commercial transactions
- Real estate
- Government affairs
- Election and campaign finance
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2006 Steptoe & Johnson
2004-2006 Jackson Kelly
2001-2004 Director of the Public Division and General
Counsel, West Virginia Secretary of
State’s Office
1998-2001 Bureau of Employment Programs
1997-1998 Department of Tax and Revenue
1994-1996 Department of Transportation
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
- Greater Appalachian Basin Association of Lease and Title Analysts
- National Association of Lease and Title Analysts
- Energy & Mineral Law Foundation
- Republican National Lawyers Association
- Kanawha County Bar Association
INDUSTRY/ CIVIC MEMBERSHIPS
- Girl Scout Leader, Junior Troop #4880
PUBLICATIONS / SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
- Drafted legislation passed by the West Virginia Legislature on a variety of topics, including election law, campaign finance, and corporation law
- Drafted West Virginia’s Help America Vote Act Plan of Implementation in accordance with federal law
- Appeared on “Decision Makers” on WOWK-TV 13 regarding 527 political organizations
- Various speaking engagements on election law topics.