PERSONNEL FILE: Karlin & Associates receives high ranking

MORGANTOWN - The U.S. News magazine edition of Best Lawyers in America names the Morgantown Law firm of Allan N. Karlin & Associates as a West Virginia Tier 1 law firm in the area of Employment Law.

The firm, which includes attorneys Allan N. Karlin, Jane E. Peak, Sarah W. Montoro and Harrison P. Case, represents working people in cases involving wrongful discharge, discrimination, sexual harassment, serious workplace injuries and wrongful deaths.

Al Karlin, who started private practice in late 1981, explained the origin of the firm: “I knew that corporate law firms often attracted the top law students, but I believed that I could put together a law firm of the best lawyers who would be committed to representing working people, not their corporate employers. I have had the good fortune to accomplish that goal together with other outstanding attorneys and staff who share my values.”

Over the years, the firm has represented workers in coal mines, steel and aluminum plants, trucking, banks, schools and universities and major corporations such as Wal-Mart and FedEx.

In addition to discrimination, sexual harassment and civil rights claims, the firm’s attorneys have been involved in wrongful death claims, including the Sago and Blacksville coal mining disasters. Upon hearing of the distinction, Peak said, “We are honored that our firm has been recognized for the work we do for our clients.”

Karlin has been selected to Super Lawyer magazine’s list as one of the top attorneys in West Virginia (2007-present) in employment and labor law and named a “Top 10 West Virginia Super Lawyer” five of the last six years. He is a member of The College of Labor & Employment Lawyers (2007), the American College of Trial Lawyers (2006), and a Fellow of the West Virginia Bar Foundation (2004). Additionally, Karlin previously served as a Chairperson of the West Virginia Lawyer Disciplinary board and as President of the West Virginia Association for Justice.

Peak has been selected to Super Lawyer magazine’s list as one of the top attorneys in West Virginia (2012) for her work in employment and labor law. She has also been recognized as Practitioner of the Year by the Women’s Law Caucus of West Virginia University College of Law (2005) and has taught Appellate Advocacy at the WVU College of Law. She is currently the Chair of the Employment Law Committee of the West Virginia State Bar and a past president of the West Virginia Employment Lawyers Association. Peak is a native of Putnam County and has practiced law in Morgantown since 1996.

Montoro joined the firm in 2007 after serving as a law clerk for Judge Robert B. King, of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. She focuses the majority of her practice in the areas of employment and personal injury law, while also serving as local counsel with the Innocence Project, a national organization dedicated to exonerating the wrongfully convicted. Montoro also serves on the Board of Directors of the Rape and Domestic Violence Information Center, which offers information and services to victims of sexual assault and domestic violence.

Case graduated from West Virginia University (2005) and West Virginia University College of Law (2009), where he graduated with honors and as Executive Editor of the West Virginia Law Review. Case joined the firm after serving a two-year judicial clerkship with Judge Irene M. Keeley, of the United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia.