Michael M. Cary, Esq.
Owner, Cary Law Office, PLLC
FOR MICHAEL CARY , owner of Cary Law Office, PLLC, personal
and career success are tied up in the importance of family,
education and leadership. Born in Charlotte, NC, and raised in
Charleston, WV, Cary is one of five children, and his parents and
siblings have played a critical role in shaping who he is today.
“My parents kept me and my siblings involved,” he says. “I
played basketball and soccer, took violin lessons and was on a
gymnastics team. They were also strong advocates of education
and believed in the old African proverb that it takes a village
to raise a child, so I had the privilege of interacting with many
people who played a positive role in my life and had the oppor-
tunity to meet many leaders in our society, including Dr. Leon
Sullivan, attorney Johnnie Cochran, boxer Muhammad Ali and
astronaut Jon McBride.”
Among Cary’s long list of positive role models is his father,
Miles, who worked as an administrative law judge, which
fueled his desire to study law. After graduating from West
Virginia University (WVU) College of Law in 2011, Cary
began his career in the education and energy law groups at
Bowles Rice LLP.
“Starting out, I learned the true significance of the qualities
I was taught as a child—the importance of integrity, having a
strong work ethic, being able to work with others and being
honest, trustworthy and organized,” he says. “I also learned to
be passionate about what I do and to trust my own judgement.”
Learning to trust his own judgement paid off when he
decided to start his own law firm in 2013, which he considers
one of his greatest successes. While it took a personal leap of
faith to strike out on his own, Cary credits his success to his
family and their unwavering support.
“My sister, Randi, encouraged me to pursue my dreams and
start my own law firm,” he says. “Without her encouragement,
I would not have been afforded the opportunities I have today.”
Cary specializes in personal injury, criminal defense and
consumer finance law and enjoys meeting the needs of his
clients every day. “Now that I own my own practice, I have the
ability to provide legal services to individuals in the Greater
Kanawha Valley area while also giving back to a community
that gave me so much in my adolescent years,” he says.
Giving back for Cary is an homage to his upbringing. While
he enjoys paying forward what was given to him, he also chooses
to serve organizations that highlight his parents’ passion for
education. Cary currently serves on the board of trustees for
University of Charleston (UC), visiting committee for WVU
College of Law, board of governors for the West Virginia State
Bar and board of directors for the Charleston Coliseum &
Convention Center. Cary also offers two annual scholarships
through his practice: the Miles C. Cary Scholarship, which is
awarded to a graduate of Capital High School who is planning
to attend UC, WVU or West Virginia State University, and the
Cary Law Office Scholarship, which is open to all incoming
freshmen at any college or university located in West Virginia.
“I feel that once a person has reached a certain level of
success, they should be more than willing to help others follow
in their footsteps,” he says. “I give back and participate in local
community service events because it was those same events and
coaches I had growing up who inspired me to succeed. I want
to help provide similar opportunities to the next generation.”
Cary is continually motivated by his obligation to represent
his clients in the same way he would want to be represented.
“I am in a position to help people today only by the grace
of God,” he says. “I work hard on behalf of my clients, and I
want them to feel at the end of the day that they have received
the best service possible.”
While Cary hopes to one day expand his practice into sur-
rounding states, he feels fortunate to live and serve in the state of
West Virginia, and he feels strongly about making it a thriving
place for future generations. “West Virginia is a beautiful state,”
he says. “With an increase in business and industry, we could
attract more millennials to stay in the state. We are the future.”
SAMANTHA CART
Cary strolls the halls of Edgewood
Elementary School, which earned
ZMM an Excellence in Architecture in
Sustainable Design Honor Award in 2015.
TRACY A. TOLER PHOTOGRAPHY
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