2024
Clayton Fitzsimmons
Managing Member , Fitzsimmons Law Firm PLLC
Photo by Steve Payne .
DAWN NOLAN
SINCE HE WAS A BOY , Clayton Fitzsimmons knew he wanted to follow in his father ’ s footsteps .
“ My dad is a trial lawyer , and growing up , I thought he was a modern-day David battling corporate Goliaths ,” he says . “ I was immediately drawn to this underdog role and challenge .”
Now , as managing member of Fitzsimmons Law Firm PLLC , Fitzsimmons gets to work alongside his father and older brother in his hometown of Wheeling . Fitzsimmons wears multiple hats in this role , running the business side of the practice while also working on the firm ’ s most complex cases which typically involve product liability , toxic torts , trucking litigation , catastrophic injuries , mass torts or class actions .
“ I was drawn to these practice areas because they were the most intellectually engaging , and I liked the challenge of having to solve complex problems and issues that were involved in these types of cases ,” he says .
Fitzsimmons graduated from Cornell
University in 2005 where he also played tailback and wide receiver on the varsity football team before attending Notre Dame Law School . A lifelong athlete , he was drawn to the strategic and competitive nature of practicing law and quickly discovered that he also had a passion for it .
“ I found the material fascinating and was always curious and eager to learn and understand the purpose , reasoning and logic behind it ,” he says .
After graduating in 2008 , Fitzsimmons joined his father ’ s firm .
“ This was a unique and special opportunity for me ,” he says . “ One of the most memorable moments for me as an attorney was trying my first trial with my dad and combining that experience , which was filled with intensity and drama , with our father-son relationship .”
Professionally , Fitzsimmons maintains membership in the American Association for Justice and National Trial Lawyers and he holds board and committee positions within the
West Virginia Association of Justice . He is also a current member and former trustee of the Ohio Association for Justice . He has regularly been recognized by his peers for his work by being selected for inclusion in Best Lawyers , Super Lawyers and the National Trial Lawyers ’ top lawyers .
Fitzsimmons was appointed to the West Virginia Office of Disciplinary Council ’ s Lawyer Disciplinary Board , where he previously was a member of the Hearing Committee and currently serves on the Investigative Panel . He was also appointed by the West Virginia Supreme Court to the District 1 Character and Fitness Committee in 2014 . In this role , Fitzsimmons has the responsibility of interviewing and assessing new bar applicants .
“ Many of these applicants are young , brand new attorneys , and I always try to talk to them about practicing law and balancing life as a lawyer ,” he says . “ Our doors are always open , and we regularly meet with attorneys who are looking for help or guidance on a variety of issues , whether it be legal or personal . We ’ ve always done this because it ’ s important that lawyers look out for lawyers , especially younger ones who are still trying to navigate this difficult profession .”
Fitzsimmons also feels that lawyers have a unique responsibility to promote diversity and inclusion .
“ These are important traits needed in all professions but especially the legal profession ,” he says . “ Lawyers handle
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WEST VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE