Of Counsel
Litigation
J.D. West Virginia University
B. A. Salem College
Office:
Martinsburg, WV
(304) 262-3534
Biography
Clients appreciate that Bill Powell is a straightforward attorney who cuts through the fluff and gets to the heart of the matter. Bill’s pragmatic nature has been an asset to private clients for more than three decades and made him an effective United States Attorney who actively sought justice in high-stakes criminal activities, including drug conspiracies, national security matters, murder and other violent crime, and major fraud cases.
Bill has a unique skill set that is a combination of bet-the-company civil defense and high profile prosecution. The common denominator in his experience is that he is solutions driven and understands when to take a stand and fight and when a different approach is warranted. For business clients, Bill has a vast litigation history that includes the defense of claims involving product and professional liability, personal injury and white collar crimes. Bill is a member of the firm’s White Collar Crime and Corporate Investigations Team and its ESG Team.
Clients across the board appreciate Bill’s respect for confidentiality, his ability to manage complex situations with grace, and his willingness to take a position on their behalf.
Memberships & Awards
Professional
Fellow, American College of Trial LawyersAV Rated, Martindale HubbellFellow, West Virginia Bar FoundationFellow, ABA Bar FoundationWest Virginia Executive Magazine, 2020 Lawyers & Leaders AwardThe Best Lawyers in America®, Commercial Litigation (2023-Present)
Key Experience
Represented clients in complex commercial litigation and other legal matters, including white collar criminal defense and investigations in multiple venues
Represented corporate clients in resolving business to business disputes
Involved with the prosecution of Medicaid fraud cases involving hospitals, physicians, and pharmacies
Know-How
Alert
Work Experience
2021 Steptoe & Johnson PLLC
2017-2021 U.S. Attorney, Northern District of West Virginia
2017 Chief Deputy Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, Felony Prosecutor and Supervisor, Jefferson County, West Virginia
1992-2017 Jackson Kelly, PLLC
1990-1992 Assistant U.S. Attorney, Southern District of West Virginia
1985-1990 Jackson Kelly Holt & O'Farrell
2017-2021 U.S. Attorney, Northern District of West Virginia
2017 Chief Deputy Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, Felony Prosecutor and Supervisor, Jefferson County, West Virginia
1992-2017 Jackson Kelly, PLLC
1990-1992 Assistant U.S. Attorney, Southern District of West Virginia
1985-1990 Jackson Kelly Holt & O'Farrell
Speaking Engagements
Columnist, The Journal, Martinsburg, West Virginia (2009-2017)