Mr. Steager's primary areas of practice are corporate and local taxation, state and federal taxation law, providing tax analysis and advice on all West Virginia state and local tax matters, such as energy development, utility development and other complex economic development matters.
Representative Experience
· More than 39 years of experience working with tax and revenue laws of West Virginia, many of which Steager has written or helped to amend
· Extensive experience drafting tax and tax-related legislation and shepherding bills through the legislative process
· Considerable experience appearing before legislative committees to testify on tax and tax-related matters and representing clients in contested tax matters
· Extensive experience advising the West Virginia State Tax Commissioner on complex issues involving laws applicable to the State Tax Department or laws administered by the State Tax Department
· Extensive experience advising the West Virginia Secretary of Revenue on complex issues involving laws applicable to, or administered by, agencies, commissions and offices within the Department of Revenue
· Considerable experience working with the Governor's Office, the Attorney General's Office and other offices on complex legal matters
· Extensive legal research and writing experience involving complex issues
Government Experience
· General Counsel, West Virginia Department of Revenue, January 1997 to October 2005 (a will and pleasure position)
· General Counsel, West Virginia State Tax Department/Department of Tax and Revenue, May 1985 to January 1997 (a will and pleasure position)
· Director of Legal Division, West Virginia State Tax Department, December 1977 to May 1985
· Director of Inheritance and Transfer, West Virginia State Tax Department, April 1976 to December 1977
· Tax Analyst I and II, June 15, 1971 to April 1976 (except for March 1972 to July 1972 when Steager was on active duty with the United States Army)
Awards & Distinctions
· Recognized by The Best Lawyers in America for Tax Law
Publications
· Author, West Virginia chapters of the American Bar Association deskbooks on property taxes and sales and use taxes
· Editor, 2011 Guidebook to West Virginia Taxes, published by the West Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants
· Author, severance tax and unclaimed property chapters of the 2011 Guidebook to West Virginia Taxes
Other
· Chairman, Tax Committee, West Virginia Chamber of Commerce (current)
· Special advisor to Governor Underwood's Commission of Fair Taxation (1997 - 2000)
· President, West Virginia Tax Institute (1987 - 1988), Member of Board of Directors (1984 - 1988), frequent speaker
· Chairman, Charleston Area Tax Group (1988 - 1989), Program Chairman (1987 - 1988), Current Developments Reporter (1986 - 1987 and 1996 - present)
· Representative, Streamlined Sales and Use Tax Agreement (2000 - present)
· "Distinguished West Virginian Award" (2005)