Mr. Walls' practice is focused primarily on litigation, arbitration, and dispute resolution. He has tried numerous high-profile civil and criminal cases and regularly advises clients in complex commercial, environmental and labor & employment matters. He also has arbitrated a number of high-stakes commercial disputes.
Education
- West Virginia University, B.S.B.A.
- West Virginia University College of Law, J.D.
Experience
- Represented the plaintiff, one of the world’s largest steel and energy companies, in a dispute involving the construction and operation of a $35 million coal preparation plant
- Represented the plaintiff, a large land-grant state university, in a commercial dispute involving a long-term steam and energy contract and tens of millions of dollars in damages
- Represented the plaintiff, a mineral holding company, in a case involving millions of dollars in oil and natural gas royalties
- Obtained the dismissal of a defendant energy company in a $40 million fraud case, and then sued the plaintiff in that case for malicious prosecution
- Defended the leading collegiate sponsorship and media rights’ company in the country in a conspiracy and fraud case involving a long-term contract worth more than $70 million
- Defended a solar start-up in a multi-million dollar dispute involving a long-term satellite and data contract
- Defended a coal brokerage company in a contract dispute in which the plaintiff, one of the world’s largest coal companies, sought more than $40 million in damages
- Obtained the dismissal of the defendant, a developer, in a fraud and conspiracy case in which the plaintiffs sought more than $300 million in damages
- Represented a leading oil and natural gas drilling company in connection with a rig explosion that seriously injured seven workers
- On behalf of a natural gas drilling company, convinced a state court to overturn a municipal ban on horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing
- Defended a high-profile former CEO of a publicly-traded energy company in a six-week trial in federal court in a case involving felony securities fraud and safety-related claims
- Served as General Counsel of Anker Energy Corp
Distinctions
- Recognized by The Best Lawyers in America® as “Lawyer of the Year” for Labor & Employment Litigation, 2024
- Nominated by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America for Commercial Litigation and Litigation - Labor & Employment
- Recognized by Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business as one of “America’s Leading Lawyers for Business” in commercial litigation
- Recognized by West Virginia Super Lawyers
- Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America
Admissions
- West Virginia State Bar
- United States District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of West Virginia
- United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio
- United States Courts of Appeals for the Third, Fourth and Sixth Circuits