William J. Hanna

Will Hanna is a veteran trial lawyer with more than 30 years of litigation experience. He represents clients throughout West Virginia in a variety of areas, including mass tort and class action litigation, product litigation, trucking accidents and workplace liability. He has successfully taken dozens of cases to verdict as a first-chair lawyer in multiple West Virginia counties and federal courts.

“My clients can expect fearless representation regardless of the severity of the case or the complexity of the jurisdiction.”

Will has experience in a wide range of industries. Known as a stand-out in workplace liability – specifically deliberate intent – he has defended a diverse field of clients from corporate coal operators and trucking companies, automotive and product manufacturers, to individuals and small business owners.

What sets Will apart? “I pay extremely close attention to detail, and I utilize prior experience, particularly in the courtroom. In addition, I have a strong work ethic, and that preparedness translates into a desire to achieve the best result for my clients.”

With his commitment to excellence, hands-on approach and approachable style, clients rely on Will to resolve their litigation issues.

“Listening is one of my strong suits. I pride myself on providing personal, caring representation and being available to my clients whenever they need me.”

Professional Involvement

• USLAW Network
• Defense Research Institute
• Defense Trial Counsel of West Virginia
• West Virginia State Bar
• Kanawha County Bar Association

Community Involvement

• Bream Memorial Presbyterian Church,  Session Member
• Kanawha Valley Soccer League, Board Member and Coach
• Charleston City Council At-Large Representative

Reported Cases

• Black Bear, LLP v. Halsey, No. 16-0232 & No. 16-0249, 2016 W. Va. LEXIS 972, 2016 WL 7210151 (W. Va. Dec. 12, 2016) (memorandum decision)
• Bevins v. Apogee Coal Co., LLC, 2016 U.S. App. LEXIS 3998 (4th Cir. W. Va., Mar. 3, 2016)
• State ex rel. Ford Motor Co. v. Nibert, 2015 W. Va. LEXIS 252 (W. Va. Apr. 9, 2015)
• Bevins v. Apogee Coal Co., LLC., 2014 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 173926 (S.D. W.Va. 2014)
• Bluestone Indus., Inc. v. Keneda, No. 12-1337, 2013 W. Va. LEXIS 1148 (W. Va. Oct. 24, 2013) (per curiam)
• Richard Friel v. Kenton Meadows Company, Inc., No. 12-1470 (W. Va. Supreme Court, October 18, 2013) (memorandum decision)
• Baisden v. Alpha & Omega Coal Co., LLC, No. 2:11-079, 2012 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 9893 (S.D. W. Va. Jan. 27, 2012)
• Hoschar v. Appalachian Power Co., No. 3:11-00152, 2012 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 170136 (S.D. W. Va. Nov. 30, 2012)
• Mrotek v. Coal River Canoe Livery, Ltd., 214 W.Va. 490, 590 S.E.2d 683, 2003 WL 22852524, , W.Va., December 03, 2003(No. 31395.)
• Arroyo v. Ford Motor Co., 59 Fed.Appx. 524, 2003 WL 550401, 60 Fed. R. Evid. Serv. 897, , C.A.4 (W.Va.), February 27, 2003(No. 02-1408.
• Beatty v. Ford Motor Co., 212 W.Va. 471, 574 S.E.2d 803, 2002 WL 31747282, Prod.Liab.Rep. (CCH) P 16,464, , W.Va., December 05, 2002(No. 30622.)
• Hawkins v. Ford Motor Co., 211 W.Va. 487, 566 S.E.2d 624, 2002 WL 1370223, 48 UCC Rep.Serv.2d 114, , W.Va., June 19, 2002(No. 30357.)
• Moser v. Ford Motor Co., 28 Fed.Appx. 168, 2001 WL 1387600, , C.A.4 (W.Va.), November 08, 2001(No. 01-1303.)
• Brady v. Deals on Wheels, Inc., 208 W.Va. 636, 542 S.E.2d 457, 2000 WL 1784599, , W.Va., December 04, 2000(No. 27664.)
• State ex rel. Hechler v. Christian Action Network, 201 W.Va. 71, 491 S.E.2d 618, 1997 WL 405933, , W.Va., July 16, 1997(No. 23573.)
• Putnam County Fire Service Bd., Inc. v. Kelly, 192 W.Va. 37, 449 S.E.2d 508, 1994 WL 329895, , W.Va., July 08, 1994(No. 22044.)

Representative Legal Work

• Represented an automobile manufacturer in a cause and origin fire case alleging defective design and breach of warranty
• Represented an automobile manufacturer in a case alleging throttle body defect which allegedly caused the accelerator to stick
• Represented an automobile manufacturer in a cause and origin case alleging defective design of fuel system
• Represented numerous defendants in cases involving premises liability claims, common carrier liability, automobile accidents and general negligence claims
• Represented an automobile manufacturer in a wrongful death case alleging defective design of restraint system
• Represented an automobile manufacturer in a wrongful death lawsuit alleging defective design of vehicle seat
• Represented an automobile dealer in a wrongful death lawsuit alleging failure to discover alleged brake defect
• Represented an automobile manufacturer in a lawsuit alleging defective design of steering system resulting in spinal fracture
• Represented a sports equipment dealer in a case alleging defective assembly of equipment resulting in closed head injury
• Represented automobile manufacturers in multiple cases alleging defects in stability and handling, glass, roof, tires, restraint systems and crashworthiness claims
• Represented numerous mining operators in mass litigation alleging millions of dollars in damages claimed by over 3,500 plaintiffs
• Represented an automobile manufacturer in numerous lemon law claims
• Represented a Japanese tractor manufacturer in cases alleging defective design and breach of warranty claims
• Represented trucking companies in numerous cases alleging serious injury and wrongful death
• Represented coal mining operators in cases alleging serious injury and wrongful death
• Represented insurers in cases alleging bad faith and violations of the West Virginia Unfair Trade Practices Act
• Represented numerous employers in deliberate intent cases alleging serious injury and wrongful death

• AV Preeminent® Peer-Review Rated by Martindale-Hubble®
• Listed, The Best Lawyers in America©
  • Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants (2017 - 2025)
  • Product Liability Litigation – Defendants (2017 - 2025)
  • Transportation Law - (2024 - 2025)
  • 2023 - Lawyer of the Year - Charleston, WV - Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
  • 2024 - Lawyer of the Year - Charleston, WV - Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
• Mason-Crickard Scholar, West Virginia Wesleyan College
• Benedum Scholar, West Virginia Wesleyan College
• Phi Delta Phi Honors Fraternity, Ohio Northern College of Law

• Workplace Liability
• Product Liability Litigation
• Automotive Warranty Litigation
• Transportation Litigation
• Work Place Injury/Deliberate Intent Litigation
• Complex Mass Tort and Class Action Litigation
• Insurance Coverage and Defense Litigation
• Personal Injury/General Civil Litigation