Romano
CHARLESTON -– For the second time in six years, Clarksburg attorney Michael Romano has been named Member of the Year by the West Virginia Association for Justice.
Romano, who also received the honor in 2005, received the Stanley E. Preiser Member of the Year Award on June 2 at the WVAJ's annual convention in Charleston. He was president of the association from June 2010 to June 2011.
He is just the second member to receive the award twice in its 50-year history.
"Over the last decade, no one has worked harder than Michael Romano to protect access to the courts for West Virginia consumers, workers and small businesses," said Paul T. Farrell Jr., current WVAJ president and one of two members who nominated Romano for the award. "Michael is tireless in his efforts to safeguard our state's civil justice system and our constitutional right to trial by jury. He is equally committed to ensuring that other WVAJ members have access to the educational sessions and resources they need to represent their clients well. It is this dual commitment that makes him an exemplary member of WVAJ."
"I am honored to again receive this award from my colleagues," said Romano. "They comprise the most extraordinary group of professionals whose sole duty is to fight for people regardless of their stature or wealth. But this award, like all awards, will be quickly forgotten. What means more to me is realizing that my peers believe my efforts on behalf of our association, its members and our clients lives up to that duty. It says to me, 'You're fighting the good fight. You're doing your duty representing the folks who have no one else to fight for them and making others obey the rules and laws that keep us all safe.' That acknowledgement is more important than any award."
Romano has been involved with the West Virginia Association for Justice since he was a member of its student association at the West Virginia University College of Law and joined the association after completing law school.
He has served on numerous committees and has been on its Board of Governors for more than a decade. His law practice consists of representing both individuals and small businesses in state and federal courts, with particular focus on bodily injury, insurance disputes and business litigation.
He is a Harrison County Commissioner and the current president of the Harrison County Bar. Romano worked as a certified public accountant with a big-six accounting firm and was a federal officer with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's Division of Enforcement.
He and his wife, Amy, reside in Bridgeport and have two children, Emma and Michael II.
The West Virginia Association for Justice represents more than 500 plaintiffs' attorneys throughout West Virginia and its surrounding states. WVAJ members are committed to preserving the civil justice system in order to ensure that any person who is injured by the misconduct and negligence of others can obtain justice in America's courtroom, even when taking on the most powerful corporate interests.
WVAJ works to protect West Virginia families by promoting safe workplaces, safe products, quality healthcare, a clean environment and corporate responsibility.