Christopher A. Brumley

A 25-year veteran of the law, Chris Brumley focuses on the complex representation of businesses in the Energy and Construction industry. He has significant know-how in coal operations, the Oil& Gas industry, construction and industrial contract litigation, commercial transactions, licensure, and industrial accidents. With a degree in Petroleum Engineering and an M.B.A., Chris is uniquely positioned to offer advice in business and natural resource matters.

Through smart, strategic thinking and effective defense, Chris helps his clients feel confident even in the toughest situations. “I believe what makes me and our firm’s practice stand out is our unique understanding of our clients’ businesses. That understanding allows us to provide the most effective counsel.”

Professional Involvement

• Defense Trial Counsel of West Virginia (DTCWV)
• Defense Research Institute (DRI)
• Energy and Mineral Law Foundation
• Gas and Oil Association of West Virginia (GO-WV)
• Kanawha County Bar Association (Officer)
• Metallurgical Coal Producers Association
• West Virginia Bar Association
• West Virginia Coal Association

Reported Cases

• Frye v. Boxley Aggregates of West Virginia, L.L.C., 2006 WL 1789016 (S.D.W.Va. Jun 27, 2006)
• McCormick v. Walmart Stores, 600 S.E.2d 576 (W.Va. May 07, 2004)
• Deskins v. S.W. Jack Drilling Co., 600 S.E.2d 237 (W.Va. Feb 19, 2004)
• VICA Coal Co., Inc. v. Crosby, 212 F.R.D. 498 (S.D.W.Va. Jan 28, 2003)

Representative Legal Work

• Involved in hundreds of cases related to employer liability injury cases, and provided comment for proposed legislative revisions to West Virginia's deliberate intent law
• Represented oil and gas companies in negligence and deliberate intent suits, including several fatalities
• Represented mining companies in severe injury and death cases in deep mine, surface mine and preparation plant cases
• Represented product manufacturers in product liability and warning suits related to the construction, mining and oil & gas industries
• Represented coal trucking company in defense of claim involving deaths in head-on collision
• Represented mining company and contractors in regulatory defense of matters filed by MSHA and OSHA
• Represented construction employer regarding a major injury to its employee during his work
• Represented an oil & gas drilling company for an employee injury
• Represented surface mine employer who was alleged to have deliberately injured its employee
• Represented a quarry for alleged blasting damage to adjacent homeowner
• Represented an insurance agency for alleged negligent services to an insurance client
• Represented stock broker that allegedly gave inappropriate financial advice
• Represented an engineering firm for alleged professional negligence of a site design
• Represented health facility for alleged deliberate injury of employee
• Represented a lumber company on alleged negligence of equipment operators
• Represented a mining construction entity before MSHA and the WVMSHT
• Represented a surface coal mine for alleged flood damage
• Represented several claims in the coal, oil & gas and construction industries involving severe injuries and deaths

• AV Preeminent® Peer-Review Rated by Martindale-Hubble®
• Listed, The Best Lawyers in America©
  • Commercial Litigation (2019 - 2026)
  • Litigation – Construction (2018 - 2026)
  • Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants (2016 - 2026)
• Listed, West Virginia Super Lawyers 
  • Civil Litigation Defense (2025 - 2026)

• Workplace Liability
• Natural Resources Law (Oil & Gas, Coal, Timber)
• Regulatory Litigation (OSHA, MSHA, WVMHST)
• Deliberate Intent (Employer Liability for Employee Injuries)
• Construction Law
• Architecture and Engineering Liability
• Product Liability
• Maritime Law