Biography

James A. Varner, Sr. is the Litigation Department Chairman of McNeer, Highland, McMunn & Varner, L.C., working out of the firm’s Clarksburg Office. He is a Director and the current President of the firm. Litigating cases for 33 years, Jim handles cases in both state and federal courts, in the areas of Insurance Bad Faith, Insurance Defense, Wrongful Death, Catastrophic Loss and Professional Negligence. Having tried over 100 cases, Jim is a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers and a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), where he currently serves as the President of the West Virginia Chapter. Jim has been recognized as a West Virginia SuperLawyer and is listed in the Best Lawyers In America in the areas of Personal Injury and Professional Negligence. He has tried cases in counties throughout the State of West Virginia and multiple federal courts, as well as state courts in Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia.

A member of the Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel (FDCC), Jim previously served as a Vice President and Board member of that organization. He served as its National Chairman of the Special Defense Project on Defense of Nursing Homes, as well as a panel and committee member of the Punitive Damage Task Force. In the past, Jim has served as a faculty member of the FDCC’s Litigation Management College. Jim is a member of the Defense Research Institute, the West Virginia State Bar and the Harrison County Bar Association, currently serving as its President. He has received the designation of Fellow of the West Virginia State Bar Foundation.

During the course of his career, Jim has been invited to speak at seminars and training sessions on various topics, including trial practice, punitive damages and claim handling. He has authored numerous articles including: FDCC Quarterly - Winter 2007, Institutional Bad Faith: "The Darth Vader of Extra-Contractual Litigation"; FDCC Quarterly - Fall 2006, "Developing Areas of Commercial Bad Faith; Constructing Defenses - He Who Ignores History is Doomed to Repeat It"; FDCC Quarterly - forthcoming issue, "If It Bleeds, It Leads" with Jeffrey D. VanVolkenburg; "The Ever Shrinking World of Civility What Would Their Mothers Say"; and "Settling a Case Without Compromising Your Ethics: The Ethical Considerations in Settlement Negotiations" with Allison S. McClure.

Jim has the following reported cases: Strahin v. Sullivan, 220 W.Va. 329, 647 S.E.2d 765 (2007); Dairyland Ins. Co. v. Conley, 624 S.E.2d 599, 218 W.Va. 252 (2005); Clark v. Druckman, 624 S.E.2d 864, 218 W.Va. 427 (2005); Jackson v. State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co., 215 W.Va. 634, 600 S.E.2d 346 (2004); Strahin v. Cleavenger, 603 S.E.2d 197, 216 W.Va. 175 (2004); Moore v. CNA Ins. Co., 215 W.Va. 286, 599 S.E.2d 709 (2004); W.Va. Fire & Cas. Co. v. Stanley, 602 S.E.2d 483, 216 W.Va. 40 (2004); Findley v. State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co., 213 W.Va. 80, 576 S.E.2d 807 (2003); Klettner v. State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co., 205 W.Va. 587, 519 S.E.2d 870 (1999); McCammon v. Oldaker, 205 W.Va. 24, 516 S.E.2d 38 (1999); Lawyer Disciplinary Bd. v. Kupec, 204 W.Va. 643, 515 S.E.2d 600 (1999); State ex rel. Erie Fire Ins. Co. v. Madden, 204 W.Va. 606, 515 S.E.2d 351 (1998); State ex rel. West Virginia Fire & Cas. Co. v. Kari, 202 W.Va. 471, 505 S.E.2d 210 (1998); Elmore v. State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co., 202 W.Va. 430, 504 S.E.2d 893 (1998); Miller v. Fluharty, 201 W.Va. 685, 500 S.E.2d 310 (1997); Spangler v. Armstrong, 201 W.Va. 643, 499 S.E.2d 865 (1997); Metropolitan LIfe Ins. Co. v. Gatson, 200 W.Va. 656, 490 S.E.2d 743 (1997); Ohio Farmers Ins. Co. v. Video Bank, 200 W.Va. 39, 488 S.E.2d 39 (1997); State ex rel. West Virginia Fire & Cas. Co. v. Karl, 199 W.Va. 678, 487 S.E.2d 336 (1997); Interstate Drilling v. Parcoil Gathering Sys., 199 W.Va. 359, 484 S.E.2d 475 (1997); Brannon v. Riffle, 197 W.Va. 97, 475 S.E.2d 97 (1996); McCauley v. Merrimac, Inc., 194 W.Va. 349, 460 S.E.2d 484 (1995); Jackson v. Donahue, 193 W.Va. 587, 457 S.E.2d 524 (1995); In re State Pub. Bldg. Asbestos Litig., 193 W.Va. 119, 454 S.E.2d 413 (1994); Estate of Helmick by Fox v. Martin, 192 W.Va. 501, 453 S.E.2d 335 (1994); Farmers & Mechanics Mut. Fire Ins. Co. v. Hutzler, 191 W.Va. 559, 447 S.E.2d 22 (1994); Jolynne Corp. v. Michels, 191 W.Va. 406, 446 S.E.2d 494 (1994); Yeager v. Morgan, 189 W.Va. 174, 429 S.E.2d 61 (1993); Estate of Helmick v. Martin, 188 W.Va. 559, 425 S.E.2d 235 (1992); Buckhannon Upshur County Airport Auth. v. R&R Coal Contracting, 186 W.Va. 583, 413 S.E.2d 404 (1991); Pristavec v. Westfield Ins. Co., 184 W.Va. 331, 400 S.E.2d 575 (1990); Thomas v. LaRosa, 184 W.Va. 374, 400 S.E.2d 809 (1990); Moore Business Forms v. Foppiano, 181 W.Va. 305, 382 S.E.2d 499 (1989); Hardman Trucking v. Poling Trucking Co., 176 W.Va. 575, 346 S.E.2d 551 (1986); Handley v. Shinnston, 169 W.Va. 617, 289 S.E.2d 201 (1982).

By way of education, Jim has a Bachelor of Science Degree from Fairmont State College, a Master of Science Degree from Arizona State University, and received his Juris Doctorate from West Virginia University College of Law.

Jim has also served as an expert witness in the areas of bad faith and professional negligence. He has been qualified in both state and federal courts. Jim also serves as a mediator for complex litigation.

Jim is the proud father of two children, James, Jr., who resides in Washington, D.C., and BreiAnne, an attorney residing in Moundsville, West Virginia.

In his spare time, Jim enjoys hunting, fishing and golf.

Education

No information available.

Admissions/Licenses

• Bar Admissions: PA, WV