Attorney Tamara DeFazio, Shuman, McCuskey & Slicer, PLLC., Morgantown, West Virginia

Tamara J. DeFazio
Morgantown, West Virginia


phone	(304) 291-2702
fax	(304) 291-2840
email	Email Me

Tamara J. DeFazio is a seasoned trial attorney having over 20 years of trial and appellate experience. Her experience ranges from the representation of healthcare organizations in class actions to the defense of state and local governments as well as colleges and universities in employment and civil rights actions. She has tried a number of cases to verdict and has represented clients in both the state and federal courts of West Virginia.

She represented a former school administrator in the landmark case of Arbaugh v. Pendleton County Board of Education, 591 S.E.2d 235 (W. VA. 2003) and obtained a grant of summary judgment in favor of a former serologist in an action alleging professional negligence and falsification of records.

She is a member of the Defense Trial Counsel Board of Governors and was most recently appointed to serve as a Member of the Judicial Election Campaign Advertising Commission of the West Virginia State Bar.

Representative Experience

Lead trial counsel in defense of civil rights actions filed against police officers and governmental officials
Lead trial counsel for state agencies, county and municipal governments in state and federal courts
Defense of mental health facilities in state and federal courts
Representation in professional negligence actions defending engineers, contractors and architects
Lead trial counsel for colleges and universities in civil rights and employment related actions
Appellate experience in the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit and West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals
Insurance defense litigation, including the defense of automobile accident and premises liability cases

Areas of Practice:: Litigation

Litigation Percentage:: 100% of Practice Devoted to Litigation

Bar Admissions:: West Virginia, 1989; U.S. Supreme Court, 1989; U.S. Court of Appeals 4th Circuit, 1989; U.S. Court of Appeals 7th Circuit, 2009; U.S. District Court Northern District of West Virginia, 1989; U.S. District Court Southern District of West Virginia, 1989

Education:: West Virginia University College of Law, Morgantown, West Virginia, 1988
J.D.
Law Review: West Virginia Law Review, Manuscript Editor; West Virginia University, 1985
B.A.
Honors: Summa Cum Laude
Honors: Phi Beta Kappa

Representative Cases:: State of West Virginia ex rel., Corporation of Charles Town v. The Honorable David H. Sanders, Judge of the Circuit Court of Jefferson County, W. Va. S. Ct., Slip Op, No. 35034 (Nov. 16, 2009); Barbina v. Valley Comprehensive Community Mental Health Center, Inc., 650 S.E. 2d 140 (W. Va 2007); Porter v. Grant Co. Bd. of Educ., 633 S.E.2d 38 (W.Va. 2006); Arbaugh v. Pendleton Co. Bd. of Educ., 591 S.E. 2d 235 (W.Va 2003); Haney v. Preston County Comm., 575 S.E.2d 434 (W.Va 2002); McLaurin v. Zain, Civil Action No. 2:98-0909 (Mem Order, Aug. 31, 2001); Columbia Gas Transmission Corp. v. Drain, 191 F.3d 552 (4th Cir. 1999); Mallamo v. Town of Rivesville, 197 W. Va. 616, 477 S.E.2d 525 ( 1996); State Farm Mutual Automobile Ins. Co. v. Norman, 191 W. Va. 498, 446 S.E.2d 720 ( 1994); Lewis v. WYK Associates, Inc., 4 F.3d 985 (4th Cir. (Table Op.) 1993); Fox v. Castranova, 911 F.2d 722 (4th Cir. 1990)

Professional Associations and Memberships:: Defense Trial Counsel of West Virginia; Board of Governors; Salvation Army; Former Member, Board of Advisors in Marion and Monongalia Counties; West Virginia State Bar Judicial Election Campaign Advertising Commission; Member

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