Robert M. Steptoe Jr.

Of Counsel

Biography

For over 45 years, Bob Steptoe has focused his practice in the areas of civil litigation and labor and employment law. In addition to counseling clients, Mr. Steptoe has tried over 100 jury and non-jury cases, and argued approximately 50 appeals in the West Virginia Supreme Court and the United States Courts of Appeals. He also served as the firm’s CEO and managing partner for almost 20 years. He currently is available for alternative dispute resolution, including arbitration and mediation of commercial, employment, labor, and personal injury matters.

Representative Experience

Alternative Dispute Resolution
- Mr. Steptoe is a AAA panel arbitrator for labor, employment, consumer and commercial disputes. Additionally, he regularly mediates civil disputes in state and federal courts.
Labor-Management Relations
Representing employers in traditional labor law matters, Mr. Steptoe has:
- Litigated unfair labor practice charges
- Negotiated collective bargaining agreements
- Arbitrated labor grievances and litigated both to enforce and to set aside arbitration awards
- Coordinated multi-state strike preparations and obtained state and federal court injunctions
- Counseled employers during union organizing drives
Wrongful Discharge
Mr. Steptoe has defended state and federal court claims for:
- Breach of contract
- Retaliatory discharge
- Defamation, invasion of privacy, and various other employment-related torts
Employment Discrimination
In the field of employment discrimination, Mr. Steptoe has:
- Defended discrimination claims of race, gender, age, disability, religion, and national origin in the state and federal courts in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Virginia
- Represented clients before the EEOC and various state human rights agencies, including West Virginia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Iowa, Florida, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Hawaii, and Michigan
Industrial Injuries
Mr. Steptoe has tried numerous personal injury and wrongful death cases involving:
- Underground and surface coal mining
- Chemical and wood products manufacturing
- Oil and natural gas production
Ski Industry Litigation
Mr. Steptoe has represented the West Virginia and Pennsylvania ski industry in the defense of numerous personal injury and wrongful death actions.

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Licensed In

West Virginia

Education

J.D. West Virginia University College of Law

B.A. University of Virginia

Memberships

Past President of The West Virginia State Bar
Past President of The West Virginia Bar Association
Past Adjunct Professor (Appellate Advocacy) at the West Virginia University College of Law
Past Adjunct Faculty member for the General Litigation Practice Clinic at the West Virginia University College of Law
Past President of the Harrison County Chamber of Commerce
Past President and Campaign Chair of the United Way of Harrison County
Past member, West Virginia Ethics Commission
Past Board member, United Hospital Center, Inc.
Past Chairman of the Board of the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce.
Past Chairman of the Board of Trustees of The Nature Conservancy (West Virginia Chapter)
Harrison County Economic Development Corporation, Board of Directors (2019 – 2022)
Healthy Harrison, Inc., Board of Directors (2016 – present)
The Nature Conservancy in West Virginia, Board of Trustees (2009 – present)
Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers
Fellow, College of Labor and Employment Lawyers
Permanent member, Fourth Circuit Judicial Conference
Fellow, American Bar Foundation
Fellow, West Virginia Bar Foundation
Member, Association of Ski Defense Attorneys
AAA National Roster of Neutrals

Achievements

The Best Lawyers in America®, Arbitration (2011-Present), Bet-the-Company Litigation (2010-Present), Commercial Litigation (2006-Present), Employment Law – Management (2011-Present), Labor Law – Management (2011-Present), Litigation – Construction (2011-Present), Litigation – Environmental (2011-Present), Litigation – Labor and Employment (2011-Present), Mediation (2011-Present)
Best Lawyers® Morgantown, WV Labor and Employment, Lawyer of the Year
Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business – Labor & Employment (2003-Present)
Recipient of the WVU College of Law 2011 Justitia Officium Award
Recognized in Chambers USA America’s Leading Lawyers for Business
Super Lawyers®, Employment & Labor: Employer Law, Personal Injury – General: Defense Law, Employment Litigation: Defense Law, Alternative Dispute Resolution Law, Bridgeport, WV (2007-2021)
Peer review rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell
Named to Who’s Who in West Virginia Business by The State Journal for 2007
Hall of Fame, Snow Sports Museum of West Virginia