Pete is the managing member of the Morgantown office of Flaherty and has tried dozens of cases to verdict in State and Federal Courts in West Virginia and in front of Arbitration Panels. In addition, he has appeared numerous times before the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals and The United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. While Pete generally concentrates his practice on transportation and construction matters, he has tried various cases. Because of his diverse experience, Pete can aggressively handle anything from professional negligence and medical malpractice to real estate, employment, and insurance coverage matters. As a result, he will take any case to trial if necessary.

Pete has been practicing law for more than 25 years, but he spent ten years as a Russian translator/Linguist in the United States Air Force before going to law school. What makes him different? “Learning a new language within a year and being proficient in it helped me read and retain almost everything. I read everything, and I remember the details. No detail – no matter how small – in any matter is unimportant. My clients can expect me to give them advice about the litigation they’re involved in – and also about the effect it may have on their business, now and in the future.”

Outside of work, Pete is involved in the community. He has been on the Planning Commission for the City of Morgantown for 15 years, serving as President for the last ten years. In addition, he is an adjunct lecturer at the West Virginia University College of Law, teaching Pre-trial litigation for the past ten years. Pete also volunteers for several local charities.

“I love practicing law because I love learning, and I learn something new every day. I also love teaching a younger generation of lawyers. If I can pass that knowledge, work ethic, and love for learning to the future generation of lawyers, then I have served my profession.”

Practice Concentrations

• Corporate
• Commercial Litigation
• Commercial Real Estate
• Real Estate Litigation & Land Use
• Medical Malpractice Defense
• Municipal Law
• Property Law
• Insurance Defense Litigation
• Construction Litigation
• Transportation Litigation
• Employment Law
• Product Liability
• Deliberate Intent
• Workplace Liability

Education

• J.D., West Virginia University College of Law (1996)
• B.A., History, A.A., Soviet Studies, University of Maryland (1992)
• Graduate, Defense Language Institute, Russian Basic Course (1984)

Bar Admissions

• West Virginia (1996)
• United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit

Court Admissions

• United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia (1999)
• West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals (1996)
• United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia (1996)

Professional Involvement

• USLAW Network
• Trucking Industry Defense Association (TIDA)
• Defense Trial Counsel of West Virginia
• Monongalia County Bar Association

Community Involvement

• President, Morgantown Planning Commission

Awards & Honors

• AV Preeminent® Peer-Review Rated by Martindale-Hubble®
• Listed, The Best Lawyers in America©
  • Litigation – Construction (2016 – 2022)
  • Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants (2016 – 2022)
  • Professional Malpractice Law – Defendants (2022)
• Member, Order of the Barristers

Written Work

• TAKE A LOAD OFF: The Liability for Improper Load Securement, DRI In Transit, Volume 24 – Issue 1 (2021)

Legal Experience

• Member, Flaherty Sensabaugh Bonasso PLLC (1999 – present)
• Associate, Furbee, Amos, Webb & Critchfield, PLLC (1996 – 1999)
• Clerk, Furbee, Amos, Webb & Critchfield, PLLC (1995 – 1996)
• Clerk, Public Defender Corporation (1995 – 1996)