Robert M . Sellards
Member & Partner , Bailes , Craig , Yon & Sellards
Photo by Heather Campbell .
LORI KERSEY
ROBERT SELLARDS is impassioned by his work . Growing up in a family of health care providers , Sellards witnessed both the selflessness and compassion of nurses , physicians and hospitals , but also the criticism these heroes are exposed to due to the nature of their career .
This ultimately led Sellards , a partner at the Huntington law firm Bailes , Craig , Yon & Sellards , to focus the majority of his law career on defending and supporting hospitals , physicians and nurses . He considers this work the professional love of his life .
“ I want to be one of the people who takes care of those that take care of others ,” Sellards says .
Sellards grew up in Point Pleasant , WV , where he initially wanted to become a physician .
“ I had a wonderful childhood ,” Sellards says . “ Both of my parents worked and still made family a priority . We always made a goal of family dinners and spending time together . As a kid , I enjoyed playing in the neighborhood from daylight until the streetlights came on . I lived a total Hallmark childhood . I ’ m still very close with my parents today .”
He earned his degree in hospital management and minored in communication and accounting at Marshall University . After college , Sellards went on to study at Duquesne University School of Law in Pittsburgh .
“ Having grown up in Point Pleasant and then living in Huntington , one of the biggest changes for law school was moving to and living in a metropolitan area like Pittsburgh , PA ,” Sellards says . “ Notwithstanding , I loved law school . I made and maintain some of the best friendships a person could have from that experience . I loved the daily challenge and the pace of high-end academic learning .”
Law school also provided him with great teachers and mentors , including an influential trial instructor , S . Michael Streib , who believed in him and pushed him to excel .
“ He challenged me and held me accountable ,” Sellards says . “ This was the first time that anyone had ever pushed me this way , and , on reflection , it started me on the path of true hard work and no shortcuts to success .”
After law school , Sellards returned home to Huntington , where he ’ s worked for and with health care clients ever since .
“ I ’ ve been lucky enough to have worked for and with some of the best lawyers in the state ,” Sellards says . “ I ’ ve learned from every one of them . Notably , I was taught the Law of the Five Ps : perfect preparation prevents poor performance . I have committed myself to treating others the way that I would want to be treated . This goes for my family , my partners , opposing counsel — everybody .”
Sellards ’ career in law started the way most litigators start — as an associate in a defense firm . It was that experience that taught him the only way to become a great attorney was to spend time in the field .
“ Experience is the greatest asset an individual attorney can have , and to get that experience , one needs to put in the time ,” he says . “ Frankly , there is no substitute .”
Three years ago , after 20 years of legal practice , Sellards joined the firm of Bailes , Craig & Yon , making it Bailes , Craig , Yon & Sellards . The move was a blessing and honor for him .
“ My partners and our clients are my favorite things about this role ,” he says .
In his career , Sellards has worked on legislation for a number of health care issues . He ’ s also assisted his firm with the diversification of its client base and the development of younger attorneys . Mentoring others is the best part of Sellards ’ professional day .
“ I love teaching and encouraging others to meet their potential ,” he says .
122
WEST VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE