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Attorney Profiles

Karen T. McElhinny 
Charleston, West Virginia
Member, since 2003
phone (304) 345-1400
fax (304) 343-1826
email Email Me

Karen Tracy McElhinny became associated with the firm in 1997, and was elected as a member in January of 2003. Ms.McElhinny attended the University of Virginia where she had a double major in English and Sociology. She received a B.A. with distinction (the equivalent of cum laude) from the University of Virginia in 1994. Ms. McElhinny continued her education at the Washington & Lee University School of Law in Lexington, Virginia where she participated in Moot Court and the Alderson Legal Assistance Clinic. At Washington & Lee, Ms. McElhinny  was chosen by the faculty to receive the award given for having made the most significant student contribution to the Alderson Legal Clinic, and was selected to serve on the Executive Moot Court Board. While on the Executive Moot Court Board, Ms. McElhinny managed the Davis Moot Court Competition.

Ms. McElhinny has made her home in Charleston, West Virginia since 1997. She is married and has two daughters. Ms. McElhinny has volunteered her time at the mentoring program at Glenwood Elementary and the tutoring program at the Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club. Ms. McElhinny also volunteers with the YWCA Resolve Family Abuse Program where she provides pro bono representation to victims of domestic violence.

Year Joined Organization:
1997
Areas of Practice:
Insurance Defense
Medical and Professional Malpractice
State and Municipal Governmental Liability
Insurance Coverage Issues
Bar Admissions:
West Virginia, 1997
U.S. District Court Southern District of West Virginia, 1997
U.S. District Court Northern District of West Virginia, 1998
Education:
Washington and Lee University School of Law, Lexington, Virginia, 1997
J.D.
Honors: Member, Executive Moot Court Board


University of Virginia, 1994
B.A.
Honors: With Distinction


Representative Cases:
Standard Distributing v. City of Charleston, 218 W.Va. 543 625 S.E. 2d 305 (  2005)
Cooper v. City of Charleston, 218 W.Va. 279, 624 S.E. 2d 716 (  2005)
Professional Associations and Memberships:
American Bar Association


West Virginia Bar Association


Kanawha County Bar Association


Defense Trial Counsel of West Virginia


Defense Research Institute