Alonzo D. Washington

Alonzo Washington brings more than 20 years of experience and a broad range of litigation experience to our firm. Alonzo is a seasoned litigator with valuable experience in product litigation, commercial litigation, medical malpractice defense, construction, surety, maritime/admiralty, and other complex litigation matters. His clients include regional, national, and global manufacturers, with some in the Fortune 500.

What makes him excel? “The ability to boil down complex factual issues into simple stories and themes.”

He regularly represents clients before all West Virginia Courts of record, Maryland Courts, and the United States District Courts. He also has experience in the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. In addition, Alonzo has successfully tried cases to juries and received verdicts in favor of his clients.

Outside of the courtroom, Alonzo enjoys time with his three children. He also likes to bike, hunt, fish, and boat. As a former WVU football player, he also speaks to young college athletes about the importance of education and the balance between sports and studies.

Professional Involvement

• Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel (FDCC)
  • Products Liability Section, Vice-Chair (2019-2020)
  • Trial Tactics, Practice and Procedures Section, Vice-Chair (2019-2020)
• Defense Trial Counsel of West Virginia
• DRI

Community Involvement

• Guest Speaker at Gateway Elementary School; Career Goal Setting 
• Guest Speaker at West Virginia Junior College: How to Overcome Adversity and Achieve Your Dreams 
• Speaker to student-athletes at the college, high school, and elementary levels on the importance of academics in athletics
• Speaker to non-traditional, diverse, and minority undergrad and high school students interested in attending law school
• Mentor to high school student-athletes interested in the legal profession
• Youth football coach

Representative Cases

• Burgess-Lester v. Ford Motor Co., 2007 WL 3088082 (N.D.W.Va. 2007)
• Holtzapfel v. Ford Motor Co., 2007 WL 2277412 (S.D.W.Va. 2007)
• Johnson v. Ford Motor Co., 2005 WL 2353469, (S.D.W.Va. 2005)
• Daniel v. Beaver, 300 F.Supp.2d 436, (S.D.W.Va. 2004)
• Fleeman v. Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., 288 F.Supp.2d 726, (S.D.W.Va. 2003)
• Ancora Capital and Management Group, LLC. v. Gray, 55 Fed.Appx. 111, (4th Cir. (Md.) 2003)

Representative Legal Work & Trial Experience

• Represented a domestic automobile manufacturer in a case involving an alleged airbag burn; Trial to verdict
• Represented a domestic automobile manufacturer in a case involving an alleged stability and handling defect; Trial to verdict
• Represented a surgeon accused in a retained instrument case where the claimant was seeking a permanent total disability award; Trial to verdict
• Represented a domestic automobile manufacturer in a case involving an alleged vehicle fire
• Represented before the 4th Circuit the vice-president of a national mail sorting company in an employment contract dispute concerning a non-compete clause alleging negligence and breach of contract
• Represented a national construction firm in a commercial suit pertaining to the theft of construction equipment
• Represented a national marine transportation company in a case involving a capsized barge

Teaching & Lecturing

• Lecturer: “Evolution of Expert Witnesses: From Retention to Presentation at Trial”, West Virginia University College of Law Litigation Seminar (February 2020)
• Lecturer: “Deposition Techniques”, Defense Trial Counsel of West Virginia 2015 Deposition Boot Camp (October 2015)
• Moderator: “An Introduction to Diversity”, Diversity & Inclusion Leadership Conference (September 2015)
• Lecturer: “Personal Injury Case Management for Seasoned Litigators”, National Business Institute (January 2007)

• AV Preeminent® Peer-Review Rated by Martindale-Hubble®
• Litigation Counsel of America, Peter Perlman Service Award Recipient
• Listed, The Best Lawyers in America©
  • Commercial Litigation (2025 - 2026)
  • Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants (2021 - 2026)
  • Product Liability Litigation – Defendants (2021 - 2026)
  • 2025 - Lawyer of the Year - Morgantown, WV - Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
  • 2023 - Lawyer of the Year - Morgantown, WV - Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants
  • 2023 - Lawyer of the Year - Morgantown, WV - Product Liability Litigation – Defendants

• Listed, West Virginia Super Lawyers 
  • Civil Litigation - Defense (2024 - 2026)

• Admiralty and Maritime Law
• Automotive Warranty
• Commercial & General Litigation
• Contract Law
• Medical Malpractice
• Product Liability
• Subrogation
• Surety