Bonnie J. Thomas

Associate

Biography

Bonnie Thomas focuses her practice in the areas of labor and employment law and general civil litigation. In her practice, she advocates for her clients on disputes arising under federal and state employment laws, assists clients in interactions and disputes with unionized workforces, and counsels clients on compliance with state and federal laws. She is also a member of the firm’s National Labor Relations Team.

Bonnie regularly relies upon both her business and public relations education to understand the business impact of her work on her clients, as well as the impact on human capital. Bonnie works with clients in areas of employment law, traditional labor, and human resources management to assist in the development of strategic human resources policies and plans.

Representative Experience

Successfully defended mental healthcare provider on claims of intentional infliction of emotional distress
Successfully defended manufacturer in union arbitration for wrongful termination
Represented various employers in defense of EEOC and Fair Housing Act discrimination charges
Represented long term care facility clients on claims of disability discrimination and FMLA retaliatory discharge
Represented not-for-profit youth residential facility in wage and hour class actions in both federal and state court
Provided pre-trial support for clients involving claims of age, race, and sexual discrimination
Represented hospital in wrongful termination grievance through arbitration
Assisted manufacturing client in strike planning and preparation
Assisted clients in collective bargaining, responding to grievance and unfair labor practice information requests, and pre-union campaign training for managers
Defended rental property owner in claim of discrimination before the West Virginia Human Rights Commission
Defended large oil and gas company against allegations of sexual harassment
Secured summary judgment for youth residential facility on claims of disability discrimination and retaliatory discharge
Represented large publishing and media company in matters involving alleged defamation and libel

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Licensed In

West Virginia
Pennsylvania

Education

J.D. Loyola University New Orleans College of Law

M.S. West Virginia University
B.S. West Virginia University

Memberships

2022-2025 West Virginia State Bar Young Lawyer District Representative for Harrison, Doddridge, and Lewis counties
Harrison County Bar Association, Member
The Order of the Barristers, 2017-2018, Loyola University New Orleans College of Law
Loyola Law Review, Member
Trial Advocacy Board, President
Bridgeport Kiwanis Club, President
2021-2022 Participant, Leadership Harrison (Harrison County Chamber of Commerce)
Maple Lake Club, Inc. Board of Directors, Member
Board of Directors, Job Squad, Inc., Member
Harrison County Chamber of Commerce, Member

Achievements

The Best Lawyers in America®: Ones to Watch- Labor and Employment Law – Management (2025)
William L. Crowe, Sr. Scholar (Graduated Top 10)
Outstanding Law Clinic Student (New Orleans Association for Women Attorneys)

Speaking Engagements

“Managing the Ever-Changing Social Media Landscape in the Workplace” (November 2023)
“Employment Law Update and Compliance” (September 2023)
“Hot Topics in L&E: Internal Investigations after COVID” (August 2023)
“Drug Testing and Medical Cannabis” (July 2023)
“Performance Review Best Practices” (November 2022)
“Updates in Labor Law,” WV SHRM Annual Conference (November 2022)
“Employment Law Basics,” Associated Businesses of Bridgeport Annual Meeting (April 2022)
“Drugs, Alcohol, and Testing-Oh, My!” (February 2020)
“Immigration Basics,” WV SHRM Annual Conference (November 2019)
Is it ‘Workin’ 9 to 5′ … or 8:45 to 5? (November 2019)
Rechecking Recovering Employees (October 2019)
What Your CBD-Prescribed Employees Don’t Know Could Hurt Them (on a drug test) (September 2019)
Giving Up Tobacco: A Bonus for Employee and Employers (August 2019)
Impacts of Employing Minor Children in Family Business (July 2019)
Motivation is an Extra Bonus of a Bonus (June 2019)
Seasonal Workers Could Mean Substantial Changes to Benefits (May 2019)
Can Children Ever Be Too Old Under FMLA to Ask for Parents’ Help? (April 2019)
Should an Employee’s Maternity Leave Have its Own ‘Due Date’? (March 2019)
Come Up With a Plan Before Employees Come Down With the Flu (February 2019)
Avoiding Title IX Litigation, WVASA Winter Conference (January 2019)
“Sexual Harassment: What Employers Should be Doing in the Midst of the #MeToo Movement,” WV SHRM Annual Conference 2018
Employment Law Legislative Update, West Virginia Credit Union League Annual Conference 2018