Booth Goodwin, former United States Attorney in the Southern District of West Virginia, has returned to private practice at the law firm of Goodwin & Goodwin, LLP in Charleston, West Virginia. Goodwin’s work as United States Attorney was featured and praised by The New York Times, 60 Minutes and other national and state media for his successful prosecutions in public and corporate corruption cases, most particularly for holding individual corporate officers accountable for criminal activity. Goodwin is most known for his office’s investigation into the 2010 Upper Big Branch (UBB) mine disaster. The UBB investigation resulted in the conviction of five individuals and a $220 million agreement with the successor to Massey Energy Company which owned the UBB mine at the time of the disaster. One of the individuals, former Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship, was convicted in December 2015 after a two-month trial of conspiring to willfully violate mine safety laws. Blankenship is currently serving a federal prison sentence.
Goodwin was the United States Attorney for the Southern District of West Virginia from May 2010 through December 2015. During Goodwin’s tenure, he personally prosecuted numerous cases of regional and national interest and has overseen the prosecution of many more such cases. Upon becoming the United States Attorney he focused the work of the office on tackling the West Virginia prescription drug and heroin crisis, holding corporate criminals accountable for putting workers at risk and polluting our water sources, prosecuting corrupt public officials, protecting children and the elderly, and helping communities rebuild after being ravaged by drugs and violence. He was selected by the Attorney General of the United States for service on her prestigious Attorney General’s Advisory Committee. Before becoming United States Attorney, Goodwin was an Assistant United States Attorney and head of the office’s Economic Crimes Section.
Goodwin’s resumed private practice will focus upon complex litigation, corporate investigations and mass torts. “I am delighted to rejoin what my partners call ‘the smallest big firm in this part of the country,’” says Goodwin. “Our boutique atmosphere and vast experience permits us to offer very personal and smart service to our clients. I bring the same strong commitment and sense of duty to my new clients as I offered to the United States of America. I look forward to a running start serving clients who want aggressive and informed counsel.”
Carrie Fenwick, senior partner at Goodwin & Goodwin said: “Booth brings litigation and leadership skills which will add depth to our very selective firm. He is prepared to take on the most serious matters. We will back him up with our very strong support team.”
Goodwin & Goodwin senior partner and former United States Sen. Carte Goodwin added that “Booth adds strength and depth to the service we provide to our litigation and government affairs clients. And, of course, he can offer those same clients advice and counsel in areas of the law in which he has special expertise.”
Booth Goodwin graduated from West Virginia University with a degree in Economics and received his law degree from the Washington & Lee University School of Law where he was elected president of the Student Bar Association.
