Mollohan
HUNTINGTON – Former Congressman Alan B. Mollohan of Fairmont has joined the Huntington and Washington, D.C., law offices of Nelson Mullins.
Mollohan will use his experience as a 14-term member of the U.S. House of Representatives, where he represented West Virginia's First Congressional District, in his law practices at the firm.
Marc Williams, managing partner of the West Virginia office of the firm announced Mollohan's appointment and said the former lawmaker's 28 years of experience in areas as diverse as aerospace, science policy, military construction, veterans affairs, homeland security, the environment and many other fields will make him a valuable addition to the law firm.
Mollohan served on the powerful House Appropriations Committee from 1986 through 2010.
"In that time he developed extensive expertise in the programmatic funding decisions that impacted many of the important issues that faced the nation over nearly three decades," Williams said. "That is rare experience that will make him a valuable member of our team in an Of Counsel capacity. His practice with us will focus on advising clients on innovation and technology-related issues that are directly related to his vast field of experience."
Mollohan said he stayed busy during his 28 years in Congress, but that he was excited to return to practicing law.
"I always stayed pretty busy," he said. "But, I always enjoyed practicing law and it was only natural that I would return to it. I'm looking forward to it."
Mollohan said he did not think of pursuing any other career after the time he spent in the House.
"I always loved practicing law and knew I would return to it," he said. "I learned many things while in Congress and can use that knowledge and experience at Nelson Mullins."
Mollohan said while he is looking forward to returning to the practice of law, the practice has changed dramatically since he became a congressman in 1983.
"The biggest change is in technology," Mollohan said. "Technology is now infused into every aspect of the field -- from communications to research to producing the work product."
From his previous practice and from his years in Congress, Mollohan said he feels that he has gained a lot of experience that will help him in practicing law at Nelson Mullins.
"I'm very pleased to be associated with Nelson Mullins because it's a very dynamic and growing law firm with outstanding lawyers," Mollohan said. "I'm looking forward to working with them and picking up where I left off."
Mollohan served on five appropriations subcommittees in his 24 years on the House Appropriations Committee. He was chair of the Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies Subcommittee from 2007 until 2010, which has jurisdiction over NASA and the National Science Foundation.
He also served as the ranking member on the former VA, HUD and Independent Agencies Subcommittee.
Mollohan was a member of the Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Subcommittee, which has jurisdiction over the Environmental Protection Agency; the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Subcommittee; and the Homeland Security Subcommittee. He also served as a member of the House Ethics Committee as its ranking member and as a member of the House Budget Committee. He was on the executive committee of the Congressional Steel Caucus and was a co-chair of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Caucus. Mollohan was also a member of the Coal Group and the Historic Preservation Caucus in the House.
Williams said Mollohan worked during his 28-year Congressional career to diversify the economy of northern West Virginia and helped facilitate the growth of the high technology, aerospace and government service sectors while working closely with the area's educational institutions to encourage investment in academic research and economic development.
Prior to his election to Congress, Mollohan practiced law in West Virginia and Washington, D.C., specializing in civil litigation and administrative law. He served as counsel to trade associations dedicated to health and safety, environment and the manufacture and transport of explosive products.
Mollohan graduated from Greenbrier Military School in Lewisburg, earned an AB degree from the College of Williams and Mary and his LL.D. from West Virginia University. He served in the U.S. Army Reserves from 1970 until 1983.