PERSONNEL FILE: Galeota inducted as fellow of American College of Trial Lawyers

MORGANTOWN – Steptoe & Johnson has announced that member William E. Galeota has been inducted as a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

The induction took place Sept. 12 at the Annual Meeting of the College in London. He joins a select group of just 31 active West Virginia Fellows that includes Steptoe & Johnson CEO Susan S. Brewer and attorney Robert M. Steptoe Jr.

"I am honored and humbled to be included among this distinguished group of professionals, which reminds me how blessed I have been to work with so many wonderful people over the years," Galeota said. "I look forward to advancing the College’s mission to raise the standards of trial practice and ethics to enhance the highest qualities of the legal profession."

The American College of Trial Lawyers was founded in 1950, and Fellowship in the College is extended by invitation only. Fellowship is considered, after careful investigation, to those experienced trial lawyers who have mastered the art of advocacy and whose professional careers have been marked by the highest standards of ethical conduct, professionalism, civility, and collegiality.

It is limited to the top 1 percent of the total lawyer population of any state or province in the U.S. or Canada, with total membership consisting of only 5,700 attorneys. The Fellowship investigation includes interviews with state and federal judges and other lawyers, and careful examination of actual jury trial experience. Each nominee is vetted by the Board of Regents and all living past presidents of the ACTL.

“We are fortunate to have someone with Bill’s knowledge and experience as part of our team and very proud to have him as a member of our firm,” Brewer said. “He is a key leader within our litigation practice and is an outstanding trial lawyer.”

In addition to his fellowship in the American College of Trial Lawyers, Galeota has been included in The Best Lawyers in America 2015, where he was selected as Morgantown, W.Va. “Lawyer of the Year” for his work in the practice areas of Health Care Law and Litigation-Real Estate Law.

Galeota has been with Steptoe & Johnson for more than 30 years. He focuses his practice in the areas of personal injury and commercial litigation, particularly medical professional and hospital liability, commercial disputes, and fiduciary litigation. He has tried a wide variety of civil actions in state and federal district courts and has argued cases at the appellate level. Galeota earned both his Bachelor’s degree and Juris Doctor from West Virginia University.

For more information about the firm, visit www.steptoe-johnson.com.