CHARLESTON — Former U.S. Attorney Mike Stuart has taken up a new position with Dinsmore & Shohl, where he wants to continue working for a thriving West Virginia.
"I am looking forward to re-engaging with the private sector and playing a role in what I believe is most critical for West Virginia — a great statewide renaissance," Stuart said in an interview with The West Virginia Record. "The role of United States Attorney can be isolating, necessarily, because of the role it plays in critical law enforcement functions and because of ethical concerns. Effectively, as the chief federal law enforcement officer for a district, it is important that everything is done to ensure the fair administration of justice."
Stuart said he is looking forward to the work he'll be doing at Dinsmore.
Stuart
"As a former United States Attorney with a strong, solid record of leadership and accomplishment, I am ready to roll up my sleeves to help rebuild this place we call 'home,'" Stuart said. "We have lost too much. Too many storefronts are empty and there aren’t enough cars on our streets and roads. I did well as the United States Attorney but places like Charleston, Beckley, Huntington, and Wheeling need more than just strong law enforcement. They need 'builders' with vision. They need investment and great storytellers.
"I believe in this place called West Virginia. I believe in our people. I believe our greatest days are yet to be realized."
Stuart said being a former U.S. attorney means there will be changes in how he performs his new job and his former title puts him in a better position to help build the firm up, as well as the state.
"I was blessed to have my choice of firms but I chose Dinsmore because of its remarkable growth, the strength of its team, and its spirit of entrepreneurship," Stuart said. "It’s a spirit that we need all across West Virginia."
At Dinsmore, Stuart, who has a background in traditional business and economic development, will grow the firm's business, corporate investigations and government relations practices.
"I’ve represented some of the largest companies in America and I’ve represented new entrepreneurs," Stuart said. "What I like best about this new opportunity with Dinsmore is being able to capitalize on my prior experience as a business attorney by adding to it my remarkable experience as a United States Attorney and former Chair of West Virginia’s largest political party. In addition to being a corporate and business lawyer, I will use my experience to build our global corporate and white-collar investigations practice, grow our government affairs and lobbying practice, and bring our remarkable leadership in public finance on a national level to West Virginia public finance and bond deals."
Stuart said his team is deeply committed to growing the firm and growing the state.
"Our resources, our capability, and national network — they are second to none in the Mountain State," Stuart said. "Over my career, I have operated each day with a sense of urgency. I operated with that sense of urgency as US Attorney and I continue to do so today in building my team at Dinsmore as we continue to fight for a better economy and better future for all West Virginians. We have no time to waste."
Stuart said he wants West Virginia to grow stronger.
"My aspiration is for a thriving, growing West Virginia in which all West Virginians have renewed economic opportunities all across this remarkable place we choose to call home," Stuart said. "Make no mistake, despite our challenges and our loss of industry and population over many decades, even with the 'pie' getting substantially smaller, a limited few have done quite well."
Stuart said those few would have the state stay right where it currently is because the system works for them.
"That’s not okay with me," Stuart said. "It is time we grow the pie for the benefit of all West Virginians. As the son and grandson of coal miners from a holler in Barbour County, I’ve spent my life with people telling what I 'can’t' do. I’ve spent my life showing them what I 'can' do. It’s the same story for West Virginia. We need to think bigger. We need to demand more. We must begin to choose our circumstance and seize our destiny."