W. Jesse Forbes is a respected litigation attorney focusing his efforts on civil and criminal representation with an outstanding reputation as an advocate for his clients. Jesse has extensive courtroom experience in a wide range of cases from multi-million dollar civil cases to serious criminal cases, child abuse and neglect proceedings, and other legal matters.
Jesse began his legal career as a judicial law clerk for a West Virginia Circuit Court Judge. Before he was 30 years old, Jesse successfully represented an injured tractor trailer victim at trial obtaining a jury verdict in excess of $2 million dollars for his client. Since that time Jesse has consistently obtained favorable verdicts and settlements for his clients. In addition, Jesse has been appointed as a Special Commissioner in Circuit Court proceedings; a Mental Hygiene Commissioner for Kanawha County; and a Special Assistant Attorney General for West Virginia.
In 2012, Jesse represented the State of West Virginia in obtaining an $18 million dollar settlement from a national credit card company for West Virginia consumers who saw their credit card accounts charged for unfair and misleading practices.
Jesse also often serves as a Guardian Ad Litem for minor children having dealings with the court system. Jesse’s courtroom experience is extensive, practicing in courts throughout the State of West Virginia and appearing many times before the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals, the state’s highest Court.
He has been named to the National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40, an invitation honor extended to those individuals who exemplify superior qualifications, trial results and leadership as a young lawyer under the age of 40. He has also been named a 2015 Generation Next Top 40 Under 40 Recipient by the West Virginia State Journal.
Jesse lives in Charleston where he grew up and attended public schools, along with his wife and two children. Jesse graduated from West Virginia University with a Bachelor of Science degree and received his Juris Doctor from Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, N.C. While attending law school Jesse worked as a prosecutor in Forsyth County, N.C., as a law clerk for the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals and a law clerk for the United States International Trade Commission in Washington, D.C.
Upon graduation, Jesse served as a Judicial Law Clerk in West Virginia’s 5th Judicial Circuit (representing Mason, Jackson, Roane and Calhoun counties) before embarking on a legal career in Kanawha County, W.Va.
Jesse has served on various boards and committees in the community including the Charleston Municipal Planning Commission; The West Virginia Medical Cannabis Advisory Board; the West Virginia State Bar’s Elder Law Committee (former Chair); the West Virginia State Bar's Criminal Law Committee; the West Virginia Mental Health Association Board; the Kanawha County Deputy Sheriffs Civil Service Commission; the Kanawha County Community Corrections Board; and the HospiceCare Golf Outing & Dance Party Steering Committee.
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS AND MEMBERSHIPS
- Charleston Municipal Planning Commission Commissioner
- West Virginia Medical Cannabis Advisory Board
- Kanawha County Mental Hygiene Commissioner
- Kanawha County Deputy Sheriff's Civil Service Commission Commissioner
- Chair, West Virginia State Bar Elder Law Committee
- West Virginia State Bar Criminal Law Committee
- Kanawha County Community Corrections Board, Member
- West Virginia State Bar, Member
- American Association for Justice, Member
- Criminal Law Section, American Association for Justice, Member
- West Virginia Association for Justice, Board Member
- National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Member
- Public Justice Foundation, Member
- United States Supreme Court Historical Society
- Top 40 Under 40, The National Trial Lawyers
- Generation Next, Top 40 Under 40, West Virginia State Journal
