Three of the members of Offutt Nord Ashworth, PLLC, were recognized by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2019 Edition.  The firm is proud of this achievement with 100% of the named Members of Offutt Nord Ashworth, PLLC, receiving  recognition for their outstanding work in their respective practice areas.  Inclusion in the publication is based upon an exhaustive peer-review survey, in which thousands of lawyers evaluate their professional peers from their regional area.  Founding member, D.C. Offutt, Jr., was selected for his outstanding service in the fields of Medical Malpractice Defense and Personal Injury Law – Defendants.  Steven K. Nord was recognized by his peers as a Best Lawyer for his professional abilities in the practice areas of Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants and Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs.  Ryan Ashworth was also selected for his exceptional work in the field of Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants.  Offutt Nord Ashworth, PLLC, celebrates this achievement and continues providing its clients with  professional and incomparable representation in various areas of practice.

Attorneys D. C. Offutt, Jr., and Steven K. Nord are pleased to announce the addition of Ryan Q. Ashworth as an equity member of their firm and the formal firm name change to Offutt Nord Ashworth, PLLC, effective January 1, 2018.   This advancement recognizes Mr. Ashworth’s significant contributions to the firm and the outstanding results he has achieved for our clients over the past years.   Mr. Ashworth is a talented litigation attorney licensed in West Virginia and Ohio whose leadership will help ensure the continued success of the firm which will celebrate its 25^th Anniversary in 2018.   The attorneys of Offutt Nord Ashworth, PLLC, will continue to protect the financial assets and reputations of the firm’s clients throughout West Virginia, Eastern Kentucky and Southeastern Ohio in the coming years as it has done for the past quarter century.

Member, Steve Nord, has been elected Chairperson of the West Virginia Lawyer Disciplinary Board for 2017 – 2018. The Lawyer Disciplinary Board has jurisdiction over all lawyers licensed in West Virginia with respect to alleged violations of the Rules of Professional Conduct.

The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals has also approved Steve, who is serving his second term on the Board, to continue serving as the Chair for the Hearing Panel of the Lawyer Disciplinary Board. The Hearing Panel conducts Hearings, makes findings of fact and conclusions of law, and makes recommendations to the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals with respect to lawyer discipline/sanctions. The Board also issues formal ethics opinions, proposes Rules of Lawyer Disciplinary Procedure, and engages in such other activities related to lawyer discipline as it determines appropriate.

Offutt Nord Burchett, PLLC, is pleased to announce that member, Ryan Ashworth, has been appointed as Co-Chair of the Medical Liability Substantive Law Committee for the Defense Trial Counsel of West Virginia. The Defense Trial Counsel of West Virginia is a network of over 500 attorneys who defend individuals and corporations in civil litigation with the mission of enhancing the knowledge and skills of civil defense attorneys who practice in the State of West Virginia.  Mr. Ashworth has also been recognized by the national publication, SuperLawyer™, as a WV Rising Star for five (5) consecutive years in the area of Personal Injury Medical Malpractice: Defense.

Mr. Ashworth is an Honors graduate of Ohio Northern University, Claude W. Pettit College of Law where he served as Chief Editor of the Ohio Law Review.  He is licensed to practice law in both Ohio and West Virginia.  He has obtained multiple defense verdicts as a first chair and second chair trial attorney and has successfully presented appellate arguments before the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals, leading to substantive rulings.  Mr. Ashworth is a proud veteran of the United States Armed Forces and gives thanks to all service members and military spouses.

• Offutt Nord Burchett, PLLC, attorneys continue to receive recognition for the year of 2016 from Super Lawyers, which conducts an annual selection of lawyers throughout the United States who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement.  Members, D.C. Offutt, Jr., and Stephen S. Burchett, have been recognized for their continued excellence  in the area of Personal Injury Medical Malpractice: Defense, while fellow Member, Steven K. Nord, has been recognized for his long-standing excellence in the category of Civil Litigation – Defense.  In addition,  three other attorneys with the firm were named Rising Stars in the 2016 Publication.  Members, Jody O. Simmons and Ryan Q. Ashworth, have been recognized for their achievements  in the area of Personal Injury Medical Malpractice: Defense, while S. Taylor Hood, was named a Rising Star in the area of Business Litigation.  The Rising Stars list identifies the top up-and-coming attorneys in West Virginia who are nominated and evaluated by their peers.

Member, Steven K. Nord, has been re-elected to serve as Vice-Chairperson of the WV Lawyer Disciplinary Board for 2016-2017.  The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals has also approved Steve to continue serving as the Chairperson for the Lawyer Disciplinary Board Hearing Panel.  The Lawyer Disciplinary Board, with the assistance of the Office of Disciplinary Counsel, has jurisdiction to investigate complaints against lawyers for violations of the Rules of Professional Conduct; to hold hearings; and, to make recommendations with respect to disciplinary action to be taken against lawyers. The Board consists of two-thirds practicing lawyers and one-third non-lawyers, all appointed by the President of the Board of Governors of The West Virginia State Bar. The Board is divided into an Investigative Panel, which reviews complaints, and a Hearing Panel, which presides over hearings and makes recommendations to the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia.

September 14, 2015 – Offutt Nord Burchett, PLLC would like to welcome Ryan D. Hamady as a new associate attorney.  Prior to joining Offutt Nord Burchett, Mr. Hamady received his Juris Doctorate Degree  from the Saint Louis University-School of Law in 2013.  Thereafter, Hamady  was an attorney with the Public Defender’s Office in Princeton, West Virginia.  Mr. Hamady is licensed in WV and will focus his practice in Defense Litigation.

Offutt Nord Burchett, PLLC congratulates Member, Steven K. Nord, on his recent election as Vice-Chairperson of the WV Lawyer Disciplinary Board.  Steve will also serve as the Chairperson for the Lawyer Disciplinary Board Hearing Panel.  The Lawyer Disciplinary Board, with the assistance of the Office of Disciplinary Counsel, has jurisdiction to investigate complaints against lawyers for violations of the Rules of Professional Conduct; to hold hearings; and, to make recommendations with respect to disciplinary action to be taken against lawyers. The Board consists of two-thirds practicing lawyers and one-third non-lawyers, all appointed by the President of the Board of Governors of The West Virginia State Bar. The Board is divided into an Investigative Panel, which reviews complaints, and a Hearing Panel, which presides over hearings and makes recommendations to the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia.

April 20, 2015 – Offutt Nord Burchett, PLLC, welcomes James G. Graley and S. Taylor Hood as new  attorneys with the firm. 

Mr. Graley  is licensed to practice law in both West Virginia and Ohio.  Mr. Graley’s practice includes business and commercial transactions, estate planning and probate, federal and state taxation, limited liability organizations, contracts, §1031 exchanges, mergers and acquisitions, real property, mineral and natural resources, intellectual property (excluding patent), commercial litigation, charitable organizations, creditor’s rights and collection, special needs trusts, corporate, and banking and finance. Mr. Graley has received many Honors and Awards during his legal career including: Leader in the Field of Corporate/Commercial Law for the State of West Virginia, Chambers and Partners, June 2010; Rising Star (2009–2015)West Virginia Super Lawyers; and Generation Next, 40 under 40, The State Journal, May 2006.  Offutt Nord Burchett welcomes Mr. Graley as a Member of the firm and the additional services he can offer its clients.

Mr. Hood is licensed to practice law in both West Virginia and Ohio and is a licensed CPA in West Virginia.  His practice areas include business and commercial transactions, contracts, banking and finance, limited liability organizations, corporate formations, estate planning and probate, probate litigation, business litigation, federal and state taxation, real estate taxation and lien related disputes.  Mr. Hood has drafted extensive estate planning documents for numerous, high-net-worth clients, provided representation at both the state and federal courts, including appellate level matters and has extensive experience in the litigation involving personal injury, insurance coverage and bad faith, professional liability, and lender liability.  Offutt Nord Burchett welcomes Mr. Hood as an Associate Attorney to the firm and his additional areas of practice.