Bobby Warner

Owner, Warner Law Offices

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Warner Law Offices
Beyond The Backyard

Bobby Warner sees every day as an opportunity. Whether it’s heading up one of the most sought-after plaintiff practices in the state, giving back to the community or spending quality time with loved ones, his recipe for success has come from determination and a mind for people.

Warner is originally from Clarksburg, WV, and grew up learning the ideals of hard work. “I was eight when I landed my first job. I worked doing chores for my grandmother,” he says. “Cathryn Warner did not tolerate substandard effort and had no qualms about withholding your pay until the work was done right.”

Warner is grateful to a large, supportive network, especially his father. “My father was a lawyer, and I was captivated by stories about his latest case,” he says. “I also admired how he was respected in our community.” Warner has also had several mentors over the years, all of whom have encouraged him throughout his journey, including his middle school teacher, Phyllis Pilewski, who always told him he had a personality for the courtroom.

After graduating from law school at West Virginia University, Warner began working as an associate at Huddleston Bolen, where he was quickly thrown into the trenches under the direction of John Fowler and Mary Sanders. In 2000, he opened his own law firm, Warner Law Offices, in Charleston, WV. During the early years, Warner consulted with Wheeling-area attorney Bob Fitzsimmons on the elements for a successful practice. “Bob spent countless hours on the phone with me late at night,” says Warner. “He became not only my mentor but truly one of my best friends.”

Once he was established, Warner quickly found that he wanted a way to keep a heavy work load from interfering with his home life. “I don’t think anyone sets out to be one of those lawyers who is defined by their work as the totality of their adult life, but the demands of law can easily become all-consuming if you allow it,” he says. “The first step for me was getting past the dogma that the lawyer who works the most hours wins. Somewhere along the way, I realized that something had to give if I was going to live a balanced life.” From there, Warner reduced the number of cases he accepted, made sure they were only of the highest quality and took on the most talented new hires. “We are only as good as those we surround ourselves with, and I am pleased to have the best,” he says.

Warner Law Offices makes strides in the community beyond offering sound legal services. The firm has been consistently recognized for its charitable work, which includes a public commitment to give away $100,000 to individuals, community groups and civil organizations that are doing good work in the community. The firm also has a booster seat program to raise awareness and provide the means for child safety.

In 2010, Warner founded Beyond the Backyard, a 12,000-member kids’ club that provides resources to families in an effort to encourage them to be more active and involved in outdoor activities. This came about from his own love of the outdoors, which began with his family’s fly-fishing and hunting trips and continues today. Warner is a sponsored bow hunter and recently participated in an exclusive trip to a remote area of the Northwest Territories.

Working hard, prioritizing family and having a passion for outdoor activity are all traits that Warner and his wife, Michelle, strive to pass onto their three children, Jackson, Riley and Gage. “My greatest accomplishment is my family. Work is transient, success is fleeting, but your relationship with your family is forever,” says Warner. “My kids don’t care how much money I make, but they sure notice if I am there to watch their soccer practice. The most important thing is that I am there participating in my children’s lives.”

What is your favorite . . . ?

Color– Sage green
Food – Elk tenderloin
Cartoon Character – SpongeBob SquarePants
Ice Cream – Vanilla
Animal – British lab
Book – “Purple Cow”
App – Camera Plus Pro
Midnight Snack –Raisin Bran
TV Show – “Modern Family”
Movie – “Legends of the Fall”
Smell – Western sage brush
Sports Team – Pittsburgh Steelers
Car – Ford Raptor
Pet – It would be a tie between Tucker, my brittany spaniel that passed away last year, and my new dog, Slatey, a British black lab
Place – Paradise Divide near Crested Butte, CO

Written by Amy Arnett
Photography by Tracy Toler on location at Smith Company Motor Cars