Seth P. Hayes serves as an Assistant Managing Member of the Firm and practices in the Coal, Education, and Energy industry groups, focusing primarily on high-value commercial and civil litigation. He is also the Chair of the Firm's Litigation Practice Group and works out of the Firm's office in Morgantown, West Virginia.
Seth represents a variety of large and small companies, private individuals, and financial institutions in complex commercial litigation and arbitration matters involving breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, business torts, and business dissolutions. Seth also represents companies in litigation arising from catastrophic injuries, especially in the coal, electric utility, oil and gas, and other energy-related industries. Clients turn to Seth when faced with high-stakes litigation, and he understands the reputational risks that accompany high-profile litigation. He advises his clients on reputation management issues and devises creative, successful litigation strategies for his clients. Ultimately, Seth believes the best litigation strategy is an effective trial strategy, and he develops every case with an eye towards trial. He has tried numerous cases to verdicts in both West Virginia and Pennsylvania, and he has represented clients in front of commercial arbitration panels. Seth also represents clients in appellate proceedings, has argued before appellate courts in West Virginia and Maryland, as well as the United States Court of Appeals of the Fourth Circuit.
A West Virginia University graduate, Seth enjoys going to Mountaineer sporting events and spending time hiking, camping, and skiing with his family. He is a graduate of Leadership Monongalia and Leadership West Virginia and serves on the Board of Directors for United Way of Monongalia and Preston Counties.
