Bowles Rice LLP

Managing Partner: Marc A. Monteleone

Number of partners: 62

Number of lawyers: 114

Firm Overview: 

Bowles Rice, founded in 1920, is a full-service, business-focused law firm providing high-quality and efficient legal services. The firm is strategically located throughout the Appalachian Basin, with seven locations to serve its clients in business and industry. The firm is AV peer-review rated by Martindale-Hubbell.

Main Areas of Practice:  

Commercial & Corporate:  

Among the complex areas in which Bowles Rice attorneys provide assistance are: acquisitions and mergers; bankruptcy; bond financing; business structure; contracts; creditors’ rights; economic development; leases; planning and zoning; securities; small business development; and venture capital.

Energy:  

Oil and natural gas and coal matters are a significant part of the firm’s practice. More than half of the firm’s lawyers are working in matters related to the exploration and development of the Marcellus and Utica shales, and Bowles Rice has extensive experience in energy-related transactions.

The firm represents exploration and production companies; midstream, transportation and service firms; independent power producers; regulated and unregulated public utilities; and industrial, chemical and manufacturing companies.

Litigation: 

The firm represents businesses and professionals in all facets of commercial disputes. They have vast experience before the West Virginia Business Court, formed in 2012 to handle complex commercial litigation between businesses. Types of litigation in which the firm is regularly involved include:

■ Oil and gas matters

■ Mass and toxic torts

■ Contract/business disputes

■ Complex commercial disputes

■ Defense of personal injury and products liability

■ Construction and condemnation

■ Environmental

■ Issues fundamental to the financial services industry

Banking: 

The firm serves as general counsel to banks, bank holding companies and other banking organizations, including Community Bankers of West Virginia, and is active in formations, mergers and acquisitions, branch expansions, de novo banking and special projects. Bowles Rice attorneys regularly draft loan agreements, notes and security instruments and assist banks in complying with regulatory matters.

Labor & Employment: 

The firm assists private and public sector employers in all aspects of labor and employment law, including:

■ Defending employers in wrongful discharge and all other forms of employment-related litigation

■ Preparation of contracts and policies

■ Human resources advice and counsel

■ Employee benefits, executive compensation and ERISA issues

Environmental & Regulatory:  

The firm has extensive experience in environmental policy formulation, implementation, interpretation and enforcement.

Real Estate: 

The practice includes purchase and sale transactions and related financing, litigation involving real estate, title and mineral law issues, contract preparation, title insurance and zoning issues. Developers of industrial, commercial and residential projects receive counsel in land use and development law, planning and zoning, compliance with state and federal sales registration requirements and filings, approvals, permits and other governmental requirements.

Taxation:  

Tax practitioners advise and represent clients in the formation, purchase, sale and reorganization of businesses; mergers and acquisitions; property, sales and use tax; issues related to federal, state and local taxation and controversies; and in the ongoing operations of large and small businesses and nonprofit organizations.

Government Relations:  

Bowles Rice has significant experience and depth in dealing with government officials at the local, state and federal levels. Many of the firm’s attorneys and administrative leaders have worked in public service, drafted legislation or testified before the state legislature or regulatory agencies. The firm lobbies on behalf of businesses, industry groups and associations.

Healthcare: 

The firm assists providers, employers and payors in regulatory and contractual matters, is experienced in medicine and health benefits and represents individuals and groups of physicians, hospitals, insurance companies, benefit administrators, associations and companies offering healthcare coverage to employees.