Larry J. Rector

Biography

Larry Rector has focused his more than 30 years of practice in the area of labor and employment law. In addition to client counseling, Mr. Rector has an active trial and appellate practice.  He serves as Assistant General Counsel and Loss Prevention Partner to the Firm and serves on several of its Committees. He has been the Editor of the West Virginia Employment Law Letter since its inception in July 1995.

Biggest Regret:  Not attaining the rank of Eagle Scout.

Representative Experience

  • Assisted several clients in planning and implementing voluntary and involuntary reductions in force
  • Argued several appeals before the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
  • Secured Defense Verdict in a jury trial for Regional Hospital involving wrongful discharge, breach of contract and West Virginia Wage Payment and Collection Act Claims
  • Federal Court trial for a construction company disputing the validity of a collective bargaining agreement with a local trade union and asserting fraud by the union. Verdict for construction company.
  • Defended a national industrial cleaning enterprise in a “bet the company” collective action under the Fair Labor Standards Act. Tried the case to a jury and obtained a complete defense verdict.
  • Defended multiple fatality/personal injury claims that arose from a mine shaft explosion
  • Defended multiple clients in MSHA/OSHA investigations and civil litigation
  • Handled multiple deliberate intent claims relating to injuries to miners and oil and gas workers
  • Defended several coal companies in employment class actions

Licensed In

  • West Virginia
  • Texas

Education

  • J.D. University of Nebraska College of Law
  • B.A. Morningside College

Memberships

  • Corporate INTL 2017 Employment Lawyer of the Year in West Virginia
  • Super Lawyers®
  • Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America
  • West Virginia Member, National Employers Counsel Network
  • Leadership Harrison 2002
  • Leadership West Virginia 2009
  • Charter Member, Wage & Hour Defense Institute
  • Member and former Board Member, Harrison County Bar Association
  • Editor, West Virginia Employment Law Letter
  • Executive Editor, Nebraska Law Review
  • National Moot Court Team, University of Nebraska
  • Order of the Coif
  • Silver Beaver Award, Boy Scouts of America
  • Co-Coach of the West Virginia University National Moot Court Team for many years
  • Member, Harrison County Chamber of Commerce
  • Board Member, Allohak Council, Boy Scouts of America
  • Former member of the Board of Directors, Prickett’s Fort Memorial Foundation
  • Assistant Scoutmaster, Troop 40, BSA

Achievements

  • The Best Lawyers in America®, Criminal Defense: White-Collar (2011-Present), Employment Law – Management (2011-Present), Labor Law – Management (2011-Present), Litigation – Labor and Employment (2011-Present)
  • Best Lawyers® 2021 Morgantown, WV Labor Law – Management, Lawyer of the Year
  • Best Lawyers® 2020 Morgantown, WV Employment Law – Management, Lawyer of the Year
  • Best Lawyers® 2018 Morgantown, WV Labor Law – Management, Lawyer of the Year

Speaking Engagements

  • November 2017 – Client Presentation on West Virginia Drug Testing Programs
  • Mr. Rector has regularly addressed professional organizations and clients in the areas of labor and employment law and workplace safety and has been a lecturer at the West Virginia University College of Law.
  • “The Sarbanes-Oxley Act: A Parent Corporation’s Duty to Disclose Safety and Environmental Issues Related to Its Subsidiaries, and How the Internal Controls Necessary to Carry Out That Duty May Expose a Parent Corporation to Liability for the Torts of Its Subsidiaries,” The Energy & Mineral Law Foundation, January 2007.

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