rewarding because the clients and their peers are recognizing my good service ,” he says .
He has also been named an In-House Trailblazer by Law . com and a Top 40 Under 40 by The State Journal .
Sullivan offers free legal help to people who can ’ t afford it in estate planning , probate , real property , landlord-tenant issues and family law .
“ I enjoy branching out into these areas that I don ’ t typically spend much time in and helping those who otherwise may not have access to counsel ,” he says .
Sullivan also believes in lifting up those around him by mentoring coworkers in the legal and business sides of the operation and passing along advice on strategies that have worked for him .
“ I get tremendous satisfaction out of seeing others achieve success through excellent work and appreciate being able to assist them when I can ,” he says . “ At the end of a successful project , I always thank those involved and make sure their bosses or clients are aware of the good work they did .”
Sullivan ’ s generous spirit is not confined to his coworkers . He also focuses his efforts on younger , more vulnerable West Virginians .
“ Being an upstanding member of the legal — and West Virginia — community is very important to me . I treat others how I want to be treated — with respect and transparency . Helping the next generation of West Virginians grow up to be successful and resilient is one of my highest priorities ,” he says . “ I like to focus on causes that help children in need , that are suffering from illnesses or have poor access to health or education , including access to arts .”
As for influential people in his career , Sullivan names Nick Casey and Mark Sadd , two colleagues from Lewis Glasser PLLC , who gave him his first law job and taught him honor , congeniality and preparation .
“ Nick was viewed by most people as being not only extremely smart and always prepared to discuss the topic at hand , but also as someone who would treat his adversaries with respect ,” Sullivan says .
Sadd taught him much about the practice of law , real property and client service .
“ I still rely on their advice ,” Sullivan says .
Sullivan grew up in Charleston as an only child . His father was a historian , writer and editor , and his mother was a teacher and principal . Sullivan spent a good deal of his childhood on a farm in Summers County . As a child , he dreamed of having a career working outdoors . While his life led him down
a different path , Sullivan still spends a lot of his free time outside skiing , mountain biking , hiking , dirt biking and boating . He also enjoys traveling with his family .
It ’ s been said that many young West Virginians dream of leaving the state to pursue what they perceive as greater opportunities elsewhere and then , after they leave , spend their time trying to figure out how to get back . Sullivan did not make that mistake . Although he was challenged with the prospect of leaving West Virginia , in the end , he decided to stay and has never regretted it .
“ I am glad I chose to stay in West Virginia ,” he says . “ I have seen that you can practice world-class law here .” •
WWW . WVEXECUTIVE . COM SUMMER 2022 125