with every day stay with you for decades because they feel they are treated well and respected is just as rewarding .”
Over the course of his career , Bailey has litigated a number of high-profile cases . He has represented those who lost loved ones in the Upper Big Branch , Sago and Aracoma mine disasters and the Ghent Little General Store explosion as well as the West Virginians affected by the Freedom Industries water spill . Bailey credits his clients as being his motivation to continue doing what he does .
“ You sit down with them , and they tell you how worried and scared they are . You watch them break down and cry when they tell you how they suffered and how they have lost the life they had . They depend on me and the other lawyers in the firm . You remember that and it inspires you to do right by them ,” Bailey says .
In addition to serving a number of professional associations , Bailey and his partners are community-oriented , giving back to local schools , churches , youth sports teams , the arts and other nonprofit organizations .
“ You have to give back ,” Bailey says . “ I don ’ t necessarily gravitate to people who look at their success as simply the way to accumulate stuff .”
Bailey splits his time between Charleston and Atlanta , where the firm opened an office a few years ago .
“ I kind of get the best of both worlds .
I love the intimacy of Charleston and the new vibe in the city you can feel there now . My closest friends and family are there . Everywhere you look there is someone you know and want to talk to . We love it ,” Bailey says . “ With Atlanta , you certainly get all the major metropolitan benefits — and , of course , hassles . I think the thing I like best about Atlanta is its diversity .”
Before being a litigator , Bailey is a husband and father first . He has been married to his wife , Erika , since 1993 .
“ Without her , the rest of all this wasn ’ t going to happen ,” Bailey says . “ She ’ s set an example for me that I try to live up to every day .”
The couple has two children , Peri , a WVU College of Law graduate , and Liam , a graduate of the U . S . Naval Academy .
Being able to maintain a work-life balance is the most important lesson that Bailey has learned over the years , and it was his daughter ’ s battle with childhood cancer while his wife was pregnant with Liam that changed his perspective . He had to take care of his family while still taking care of his clients .
“ It really made me rethink my priorities ,” Bailey says . “ The career all of a sudden fell into the spot it needed to be in my life . It became a part of my life but not what defined my life .”
For Bailey , prioritizing family first helps keep work going smoothly .
“ It ’ s not about chasing money ,” he says . “ You have to be passionate about your clients and your family in equal measures . If you truly believe in what you are doing , the money takes care of itself . And , if you are happy at home , you ’ ll be better at everything . All the money and accolades mean little if you are churning inside all the time .”
Now in his mid-50s , Bailey has been preparing to start a new chapter of his life and career : semi-retirement .
“ My goal for many years was to retire at an age young enough to enjoy myself while I had the health and fitness to do so ,” he says .
Bailey plans to sell his interest in the firm over the next few years and start accepting opportunities to mediate cases under his business , Bailey Mediation .
“ I hope it ’ s something that I can add to my success as an attorney ,” he says . •
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