Long , who would eventually become his business partner . In 1994 , he and Long co-founded Hendrickson & Long PLLC .
For the past six years , Henrickson & Long PLLC has been named a Tier One law firm by U . S . News and World Report . Hendrickson has been named Lawyer of the Year and has also been inducted into the International Academy of Trial Lawyers , a prestigious honor only few lawyers receive .
Along with these accolades , Hendrickson notes that another aspect of his impact on the legal industry has been his relationships with other lawyers . He has tried cases in 16 different states , serving clients in the West Virginia Supreme Court and the U . S . District Court for the Fourth Circuit . He mentions that some decisions from those cases have had a part in shaping the law in certain industries , and his hard work and dedication through owning his own law firm has inspired others to start their own firms as well .
“ We have had the privilege of working with some really talented lawyers and staff ,” Hendrickson says . “ I have tried several cases in a vast array of disciplines . I carried over what I had learned from the law firms of Kay Casto and Spilman Thomas to our own firm . A lot of our folks have been employed with us for more than 20 years . The biggest lesson I have learned here is to never give up .”
Running and managing a small law firm has come with challenges , such as navigating 2008 ’ s financial crisis , COVID-19 and the coming and going of clients . However , Hendrickson credits his staff , saying they were the ones carrying the firm during these times .
Throughout Hendrickson ’ s career , two mentors have been particularly influential to him . Eugene Hague , an attorney from Parkersburg , taught Hendrickson the lesson that the reasonable answer to any problem , 99 % of the time , will be the legal solution as well . This notion is something Hendrickson has found to be true many times over the years . He also credits South Carolina attorney Bruce Shaw , who helped keep him connected to a major client and gain experience litigating outside of West Virginia .
“ I tried a tremendous number of cases for this and other major corporations ,” Hendrickson says . “ With his help and guidance , it expanded my career .”
Aside from his professional life , Hendrickson is involved in many community service endeavors . He has served as president of the WVU Alumni Association and on the Athletic Council . He has also served as the chairman of the Higher Education Policy Commission and the chairman of the West Virginia Regional Tech Park in South Charleston .
Hendrickson has also influenced the next generation of legal professionals through mentorship and offered pro bono work ranging from criminal defense to financial assistance . He notes the significance of spending 42 years working as an attorney in a small state , where he has gotten to know people from different backgrounds and learn from the experience of working with them .
“ All of those are important to me , and the reason they are important to me is because I have been blessed by being able to have this degree and been blessed by being able to have a legal career , be part of this tremendous firm and have the opportunity to give back ,” Hendrickson says .
Hendrickson remains deeply connected to his roots in the Mountain State . He splits his time between Charleston and Morgantown and is an avid supporter of WVU sports . His personal interests include jogging , walking and golfing .
“ I have enjoyed all of my friendships and people that I have known ,” Hendrickson says . “ I have enjoyed being part of WVU . I have enjoyed being part of Charleston , Parkersburg , Morgantown and the military . I have been blessed with great friends and partners , all of which have helped me to any successes I have enjoyed in life .” •
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