PERSONNEL FILE: Jackson Kelly management updates

CHARLESTON - Jackson Kelly PLLC attorneys Michael D. Foster and Brian R. Swiger have been re-elected as Managing Member and Assistant Managing Member of the firm.

In addition, Louis. S. Southworth, II was re-elected as chairman of the firm’s Executive Committee with Samme L. Gee being elected as vice-chair. William A. Hoskins, III and James W. Thomas were also each elected to serve three-year terms on the Executive Committee -- Hoskins being re-elected to his current seat and Thomas beginning a new term.

Foster became Managing Member of Jackson Kelly in 2007 having previously served as Assistant Managing Member from 2002-2007 and as a member of the firm's Executive Committee for two separate terms. In 1989, he co-founded the Employee Benefits Group of the Firm and has headed the group since that time.

In addition to serving as the firm’s Assistant Managing Member, Swiger is the Leader of the Industrial, Environmental and Complex Litigation Practice Group. He has a regional practice focusing on representing clients in connection with a variety of high-risk matters including wrongful death, catastrophic injury, commercial and natural resources litigation. His experience with regard to these matters involves coordinating initial investigations, defending federal and state regulatory investigations and serving as lead trial counsel during all phases of discovery and trial. Some of the clients he frequently represents include exploration and production companies operating in the natural gas industry, electric utility companies, various industrial operations and mining, trucking and compressed gas companies.

Hoskins is a member in the firm's Lexington, Ky., office, where his practice is focused on business law and related litigation. He serves as counsel to leading acute care hospitals, the area's most prominent equine breeding and racing operations, racetracks, various state associations including alcoholic beverages associations, coal and energy companies and others. He has lectured at numerous law schools, medical schools and before other institutions on related issues. Hoskins has been recognized every year since 2005 in Woodward/White's publication, The Best Lawyers in America®, and has received an AV Preeminent rating by Martindale-Hubbell®. In addition to serving on the firm’s Executive Committee, he also chairs the firm’s shares or compensation committee.

Thomas is a member of the Health Care and Finance Practice Group in the firm’s Charleston, West Virginia office. His practice is focused primarily on health care matters of a business, regulatory and operational nature. Thomas handles a wide variety of matters, including state and regulatory compliance issues and investigations, business acquisitions, reorganizations, as well as cases before the West Virginia Health Care Authority. Thomas has also assisted the West Virginia Hospital Association and has provided services to the West Virginia Health Information Network.

Southworth is a Member of the firm’s Public Policy and Regulatory Affairs Practice Group, the Tax Practice Group and the Commercial Law Practice Group. Southworth joined the Firm in 1968 and focuses his law practice on administrative, business and commercial, business planning, leases, legislative services, mergers and acquisitions, securities and corporate law.

Gee is a Member of the firm’s Health Care and Finance Practice Group. Her practice is focused on tax exempt and taxable municipal bonds and related governmental and economic development financings as well as corporate trust, legislative services and governmental agency representation. In that capacity, Gee routinely serves as bond counsel, underwriter's counsel, trustee's counsel or issuer's or borrower's counsel. She has extensive experience in the financing and development of infrastructure projects with an emphasis on water, wastewater, highways and public facilities and economic development projects.

Jackson Kelly’s Executive Committee is comprised of eight voting members from throughout the firm’s 12 offices. Members of the committee are charged with short-term and long-term strategic planning for the firm as well as implementation of the plans. The role of an executive committee member also involves ensuring that business affairs are managed efficiently, balancing the interests of the firm and its clients.

Jackson Kelly PLLC is a national law firm representing leading global corporations, national companies, entrepreneurs and individuals in areas of law such as environmental, business, labor and employment, federal and state workers’ compensation, civil litigation and occupational safety and health. The firm has offices in Colorado, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and the District of Columbia.