C. David Morrison

Biography

The phrase “fact is stranger than fiction” comes to mind when David Morrison reflects on his 35+ year career as a labor and employment lawyer. Morrison is never surprised when he picks up the phone and an exasperated human resources director or in-house counsel regales him with the latest unique employee situation that needs untangling. David genuinely enjoys helping his clients when they don’t know where to turn, and he is often the origin of creative solutions that can be implemented in a way that allows clients to retain their integrity and follow the law. To help clients avoid litigation, David invests time in counseling them on what to do and what not to do, always with a listening and compassionate ear. In the event that litigation does occur, David is the person to have on the team, having tried over 80 cases and arbitrations, and argued over 20 appeals before state and federal appeals courts.

David is an effective storyteller, and he often uses his experience to mentor and train young lawyers, helping them learn the importance of humanity in the practice of law.

Representative Experience

  • Advised client on “back to school” issues related to COVID-19
  • Advised client on employee remote work arrangements related to COVID-19
  • Advised client on EFLMEA issues related to COVID-19 and employee leave
  • Advised client on union-related issues in conjunction with COVID-19
  • Advised client on workplace safety issues related to COVID-19

Licensed In

  • Kentucky
  • West Virginia

Education

  • J.D. University of Kentucky J. David Rosenberg College of Law
  • B.A. Transylvania University

Memberships

  • Member, Board of Directors, Mountaineer Education & Research Corporation, affiliated with the Louis A. Johnson Veterans Administration Hospital, 2015-2018
  • Member, Safety, Health & Human Resources Committee, National Mining Association, 2011-present
  • Member, Board of Trustees, Alderson-Broaddus College, 1992-2004, Executive Committee, 1999-2004
  • Member, Harrison County Chamber of Commerce
  • Board Member, Harrison County YMCA, 2006-2012
  • Member, Academic Excellence Committee, Harrison County Catholic Schools, 1992-2004
  • Member, Board of Trustees, Clarksburg Baptist Church, 1998-2001
  • Member, Board of Directors, Harrison County Student Achievement Program, 1992-1999
  • Member, West Virginia Chamber of Commerce
  • Coached 33 seasons of youth sports
  • PA Announcer, Notre Dame High School Basketball, 2004-present
  • Fellow, American Bar Association Foundation, 2016-present
  • Board of Directors, West Virginia Bar Foundation, 2020 – present
  • Vice President, West Virginia Bar Foundation, 2024 – present
  • Fellow, West Virginia Bar Foundation, 2011-present
  • Member, National Mining Association
  • Member, American Bar Association, Section on Employment Law
  • Member, Fourth Circuit Judicial Conference
  • Member, West Virginia Coal Association
  • Member, Executive Committee, Energy & Mineral Law Foundation, 2006-2012 and 2015-2016
  • President, Energy & Mineral Law Foundation, 2009-2010
  • Fellow, American College of Labor & Employment Lawyers, 2010-present
  • Member, MCLE Planning Committee for Employment Law Seminar, 2016
  • Member, U.S. Magistrate Court Selection Committee, United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia, 2015

Achievements

  • Peer Review Rated AV by Martindale-Hubbell
  • West Virigina State Bar, Mentor of the Year, 2022
  • John L. McClaugherty Award for Dedication and Service, Energy & Mineral Law Foundation, 2013
  • Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business – Labor & Employment (2003-Present)
  • The Best Lawyers in America®, Appellate Practice (2013-Present), Employment Law – Individuals (2011-Present), Employment Law – Management (2011-Present), Energy Law (2013-Present), Labor Law – Management (2011-Present), Litigation – Labor and Employment (2011-Present), Mining Law (2008-Present)
  • Best Lawyers® 2024 Morgantown, Labor Law – Management, Lawyer of the Year
  • Best Lawyers® 2024 Morgantown, Employment Law – Management, Lawyer of the Year
  • Best Lawyers® 2020 Morgantown, Appellate Practice, Lawyer of the Year
  • Best Lawyers® 2018 Morgantown, Energy Law, Lawyer of the Year
  • Best Lawyers® 2016 Morgantown, Mining Law, Lawyer of the Year
  • Best Lawyers® 2015 Morgantown, Labor Law, Lawyer of the Year
  • Super Lawyers®, Employment Litigation Law, Energy & Natural Resources Law, Employment & Labor Law, Bridgeport, WV (2007-Present)

Speaking Engagements

  • Presenter, “S&J Sleep Specialists – Let’s Talk About What Keeps You Up at Night”
  • “Best Practices & Considerations in Crafting Coronavirus Vaccination Policies.” Energy & Mineral Law Foundation Webinar, February 2021
  • “LGBTQ Rights in the Workplace,” West Virginia Hospital Human Resources Association Webinar, July 9, 2019
  • “If It Ain’t Documented, It Didn’t Happen: How and When to Document Employment Issues,” West Virginia Coal Association Symposium, January 29, 2019
  • “2018 Employment Law Update,” West Virginia Continuing Legal Education Employment Law 2018, Charleston, WV, May 24, 2018

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