Richard “ Rick ” A . Pill
Attorney , Pill and Pill , PLLC
Photo by O ’ Roke Photography .
SHANNON WELLS
RICK PILL ’ S path to becoming a revered real estate attorney in Martinsburg , WV , started — somewhat improbably — in pursuit of the military life . Graduating from West Virginia University ( WVU ) in 1974 during the waning days of the Vietnam War era meant the Morgantown native ’ s passion was a bit out of step with the times .
“ When I graduated , I entered the Army as a second lieutenant with the expectation of staying at least four years ,” Pill says . “ However , in 1974 , the military was paring back .”
Switching gears , Pill traded formation drills and sharply creased uniforms for the equally demanding discipline of legal studies . Fortuitous cooperation from Uncle Sam and the WVU College of Law helped ease his professional transition .
“ The WVU College of Law took 150 rather than its normal 100 students that year ,” he recalls . “ I took the LSAT and with the larger law class , I was accepted , and the Army let me have an early discharge .”
After graduating from the WVU College of Law in 1977 , Pill honed his legal skills at a small Martinsburg practice . He credits the role with exposing him to an array of legal scenarios .
“ I worked for a four-person firm , so we did all types of law for the first three years ,” he says . “ My first job included various types of cases , so I attained a broad knowledge of the law . It took time , but I learned how to nicely turn down cases that were better suited for another lawyer . I also learned to care about people and their problems and to always return calls .”
The Martinsburg region ’ s then-burgeoning real estate market presented an appealing opportunity for Pill and his brother , David . The siblings joined forces as Pill and Pill , PLLC in 1982 .
“ As the Martinsburg area grew , there was a need for real estate practitioners , and I enjoyed that type of work ,” he says . “ I call it happy law , since normally clients buying and selling want to be in that situation .”
The brothers ’ practice focuses on residential and commercial real estate settlements , acting as a trustee for conducting foreclosures throughout the state .
“ Closings are time sensitive , since people are trying to move , so it requires flexibility in scheduling to make the transaction a success ,” says Pill . “ In the foreclosure area , there are frequently life pressures on the borrowers , and we always try to be sensitive to their situation .”
That personal touch manifests itself in ways both profound and mundane . In the latter category , Pill has learned to under promise and overdeliver .
“ I think one of my biggest challenges is telling people I can ’ t take their case because I am too busy ,” he admits . “ I have improved in just honestly explaining the situation to them and helping them find another attorney .”
As part of his practice , Pill also keeps an eye on the bigger picture regarding West Virginia ’ s legal and real estate industries .
“ I think the biggest impact I have had on the real estate field has been helping start and continue the West Virginia Real Estate Lawyers Association ,” he says .
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WEST VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE