John Lewis

By Ava Kaiser

John Lewis, founder and partner of Metz Lewis Brodman Must O’Keefe LLC, grew up in Morgantown, WV, as the youngest of three children. His father served as Morgantown’s chief of police, and his mother was a well-known real estate agent. Growing up in a small, tight-knit community where his family was widely recognized taught Lewis an early lesson about reputation, relationships and personal responsibility.

“In a small town, that kind of visibility teaches you early how your conduct matters; that reputation is earned over time and people remember how you treat them,” says Lewis.

As a child, Lewis spent much of his time playing baseball and dreamed of becoming a Pittsburgh Pirate. Although that dream never came true, the sport taught him lessons that followed him throughout his life and career.

“Baseball teaches you quickly that you are going to fail more than you succeed, and then you have to show up the next day ready to try again,” he says.

Lewis struggled when starting out as a freshman in college. Unsure exactly what career path he wanted to take, Lewis settled on pre-med at Wheeling College, now Wheeling University, but was ushered from the program after being placed on academic probation.

“I was an extremely poor undergraduate student because I had never developed real study habits,” he says.

Seeking direction, Lewis switched to accounting after encouragement from friends already in the accounting program. Although he was not particularly passionate about becoming an accountant, the program gave him structure and introduced him to business and financial analysis. Lewis eventually raised his grade-point average and graduated with his bachelor’s degree in 1980.

Lewis then applied to the West Virginia University (WVU) College of Law, but admission was uncertain. He was initially waitlisted and received acceptance only two days before classes began.

“They had an open seat and wanted to see if I would sink or swim,” he says.

WVU saw the potential in Lewis that his undergraduate grades did not fully reflect, as his strong Law School Admission Test score told a different story. Lewis took this as an opportunity to refresh and show himself what he could accomplish, especially since he was back in his hometown.

“Having grown up in Morgantown, attending law school at WVU had a natural connection to my home, but it also represented a new chapter for me,” he says.

A few weeks into his first semester, Lewis met his now wife, Tara, who, unlike Lewis at the time, was highly organized, disciplined and dedicated to her studies. As his old habits began to resurface, she confronted him with a blunt but life-changing question: “What are you going to do when you flunk out of law school?”

Lewis admits her point, although not subtle, was accurate.

“I was not studying, I was not doing the work, and I was not even taking notes in class,” he says.

Determined to change, he began mirroring Tara’s study habits and committed himself fully to his education. His effort was not wasted, and by the end of his first semester, Lewis was at the top of his class—although, he says, not nearly as highly ranked as Tara.

Lewis earned his law degree in 1983 and began his professional career at Arthur Andersen.

He later joined a law firm at which he became the first associate hired into its corporate law practice. The opportunity forced him to learn quickly and helped shape the direction of his career.

“I did not map out a deliberate path into mergers and acquisitions, but I recognized the opportunity when it appeared and committed myself to learning the work,” he says.

In 1998, Lewis and several partners left the security of that larger firm to start what would become Metz Lewis Brodman Must O’Keefe, LLC. The entrepreneurial journey was challenging, but it provided a perspective that continues to benefit his clients today.

“When I advise business owners who are buying, selling or preparing companies for sale, I understand not only the legal issues but also the pressure, opportunity and risk that come with owning and operating a business,” says Lewis.

Lewis focuses on mergers and acquisitions, representing private equity firms and business owners buying or selling companies. While the work involves legal analysis, negotiation and financial considerations, he says the most rewarding aspect is helping clients navigate a major life event with confidence.

“Selling a business is not just a transaction,” he says. “It can involve identity, legacy, family dynamics and a lifetime of work.”

Lewis believes relationships are at the heart of successful legal practice and emphasizes the importance of understanding clients’ businesses, goals and concerns rather than simply providing legal advice.

“Clients do not hire a lawyer because the lawyer knows the law,” he says. “They hire a lawyer because that person understands their business, understands the pressure they are under and can help get them to the right result.”

The firm has a strong commitment to recruit, hire and develop minority candidates and create opportunities for minority law students to experience a law firm setting.

“Many talented students are dedicated, hardworking and smart, but they may not have had the same exposure to business, professional networks or the business world as students who grew up with greater financial or social advantages,” says Lewis. “Giving those students an opportunity is not charity. It is a way of making sure ability has a chance to be seen, developed and valued.”

Lewis also serves on the boards of five different nonprofit organizations and is currently doing pro bono work with BEAM Collaborative, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping black entrepreneurs become successful in buying and owning businesses.

“BEAM matters to me because entrepreneurship can change the trajectory of a family and a community, but access to capital, networks and experienced professional advice is not evenly distributed. If my experiences can help close that gap in some way, that is meaningful work.”

He is also involved with Pittsburgh Hardball Academy, which uses baseball and softball to help underserved youth prepare for college and future careers.

Lewis has received numerous professional honors, including recognition from Chambers and Partners, Best Lawyers in America and Worth Magazine’s Top 100 Lawyers in America, but he remains humble.

“The things that matter most to me are my family, my partners, my clients and the firm we have built,” he says.

Currently, Lewis and his wife live in Pittsburgh, and he enjoys spending most of his free time with his family.

While Lewis no longer resides in West Virginia, it is still an important part of who he is.

“Many of the values I associate with West Virginia—humility, personal relationships, hard work and being grounded—have stayed with me throughout my career,” he says. “Growing up in Morgantown shaped the way I relate to people and the way I approach clients. I learned very early that reputation matters, people remember how you treat them, and success should never cause you to forget where you came from.”