Dinsmore & Shohl LLP welcomes Senior Status Judge James J. Rowe to the firm. A highly respected member of the West Virginia legal community, Rowe joins Dinsmore after almost two decades serving Greenbrier and Pocahontas counties as a chief judge of the 11th Judicial Circuit. He remains involved in the court system as a senior status judge.
“As Dinsmore grows across West Virginia, we are adding attorneys who bring a lot to the table. Jim can draw on the experiences cultivated over 30 years serving the Mountain State on the bench and in the legislature,” said Anna Dailey, Charleston Office Managing Partner. “To be successful as a judge and state representative, you must be a problem solver. Jim’s insights and perspectives will be a valuable resource for our clients, especially his understanding of the state’s business court system.”
During his tenure on the bench, Rowe was instrumental in establishing West Virginia’s Business Court Division in 2012. The court’s goal is to remove the limitations and delays in resolving business disputes.
“The business court provides a venue for companies to resolve issues in a setting that understands and addresses their issues. It’s one of the aspects that I think will help West Virginia attract new businesses. Knowing that in the unfortunate event of a dispute, they have a court to address their needs,” said Rowe.
Rowe was appointed as a circuit court judge by Gov. Gaston Caperton in 1997 and was re-elected in 2000 and 2008. Prior to joining the bench, Rowe represented Greenbrier County in the West Virginia Legislature for four terms, serving on the Committee of the Judiciary and House Majority leader. At Dinsmore, he will practice as an of counsel attorney in the Lewisburg office.
“Jim has had an exceptional career, and I am pleased to add someone of his caliber to the office,” said Jason Long, Lewisburg Office Managing Partner. “Jim’s practice will complement the services we offer here and across the state.”
Rowe is a member of Lewisburg Rotary and active in his church serving as chairman of the Presbytery of West Virginia’s Trustees. He earned his J.D. from George Mason University School of Law and received his B.A. from West Virginia University.
Following the 2015 merger with Huddleston Bolen LLP, Dinsmore became the 4th largest law firm in West Virginia with locations across the state in Charleston, Huntington, Lewisburg, Morgantown and Wheeling.
