Laurie K. Miller is a Member in the Health Care industry group, focusing primarily on health care litigation including medical malpractice, nursing home and pharmaceutical and medical device products. She is also experienced in commercial litigation, class actions, and product liability litigation. She has devoted a substantial portion of her practice to mass litigation, multi-district litigation, and class actions. She practices out the Firm’s office in Charleston, West Virginia.
Laurie loves that her practice has given her the opportunity to meet and engage with such an interesting array of clients from various industries. Her favorite part of her day-to-day activities is working with witnesses to prepare for depositions and trials. She knows how important it is to prepare clients and witnesses for stressful situations while also putting them at ease with the process – something at which she excels. She even claims to find joy in the discovery process, which, given its tedious nature, means she’s truly found her calling. Her well-rounded personality and work ethic give Laurie the ability to effectively represent her clients, collaborate with the Jackson Kelly team, and dedicate time for service to her community.
Laurie is very active within the civil defense bar. She has been a member of DRI since 2002 and is currently serving on DRI’s prestigious Law Institute. She has also served as program chair for several DRI seminars and on several Annual Meeting steering committees including serving as the Blockbuster Program Chair for the 2017 DRI Annual Meeting. She is a proud member of DRI’s Women in the Law, Medical Liability, Products Liability, and Drug and Medical Device Committees.
When she isn’t preparing witnesses, drafting briefs, answering discovery, or volunteering her time to DRI, Laurie can be found sifting through photographs for scrapbooks, crafting new DIY projects, or baking delicious treats in the kitchen. A regular traveler, Laurie has had the opportunity to swim with dolphins and waddle with penguins.
Awards
- West Virginia Super Lawyers® - Personal Injury Medical Malpractice: Defense Law (2018-2020)
- Best Lawyers® Business Edition “Women in Law” (2017)
- The Best Lawyers in America® for Commercial Litigation, Health Care Law and Product Liability Litigation – Defendants (2016-2021)
- Recipient, DRI Lifetime Community Service Award (2016)
- AV Preeminent rating by Martindale-Hubbell
- DRI G. Duffield Smith Outstanding Publication Award, Recipient (2015)
- DRI Richard H. Krochock Award (2014)
- Defense Trial Counsel of West Virginia, Young Lawyers Committee, Outstanding Chair Award (2007)
- Dayton Bar Association Scholarship Recipient (2000-2001)
- University of Dayton Law Review, Staff Writer (1999-2000)
Work History
- Jackson Kelly PLLC (2011-Present)
- Ellis & Winters LLP (2008-2011)
- Jackson Kelly PLLC (2001-2008)
- Pickrel, Schaeffer & Ebeling (1999-2001)
- Miller, Finney, McKeown & Baker (1997-1999)
Practices
- Commercial Litigation
- Medical Device
- Medical Malpractice
- Nursing Home Liability
- Pharmaceutical
- Litigation
- Product Liability Litigation
Industries
- Health Care
- Manufacturing
Education
- University of Dayton (J.D., cum laude, 2001)
- Wright State University (B.A., magna cum laude, 1998)
Admissions
- North Carolina (2007)
- West Virginia (2001)
- U.S. District Court, Middle District of North Carolina (2008)
- U.S. District Court, Western District of North Carolina (2008)
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit (2008)
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of North Carolina (2008)
- Supreme Court of the United States of America (2007)
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of West Virginia (2002)
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of West Virginia (2001)
Professional Organizations
- Certified Medicare Secondary Payer Professional (2014-2016)
- National Associate of Medicare Set-Aside Professionals, Member (2014-2016)
- DRI (2002-Present)
- DRI Law Institute (2015-Present)
- Vice Chair (2020-2021)
- Defense Trial Counsel of West Virginia (2002-2008, 2011-Present)
- DTCWV Board of Governors (2006-2008, 2012-2016)
- North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys (2008-2011)
Speaking Engagements & Publications
Speaking Engagements
- "New Approaches to Seminars/Networking," DRI - The Voice of the Defense Bar 2020 Leadership Conference (Jan. 2020)
- "Pre-Trial Expert Disclosures and Rule 26," Defense Trial Counsel of West Virginia Annual Meeting (May 2018)
- “Converting Contact to Clients and Friends to Referrals: Networking Tips that Work,” DRI Medical Liability and Health Care Law Seminar (March 2018)
- “An Administrator’s Guide to Discovery,” West Virginia Health Care Association Annual Meeting (May 2014)
- “Work Life Balance and Making Partner,” DRI Diversity Seminar (May 2013)
- “Slippery Slope: Pre-Trial Expert Disclosures and Federal Rule 26,” DRI Young Lawyers Seminar (June 2012)
- DTCWV Expert Witness CLE (Oct. 2012)
- “Jury Instructions – Writing to Win,” DRI Products Liability Seminar (2007)
Writings and Publications
- Author, "Considerations for Physicians Asked to Practice Outside Their Normal Scope of Practice," DRI's The Voice, May 6, 2020
- Author, “Defending the Peer Review Privilege: Guidance for Health Care Providers and Counsel After Wheeling Hospital” (DTCWV May 2017, forthcoming West Virginia Law Review, 2018)
- Author, “Document Collection, Review & Production,” DRI Defense Library Series, A Young Lawyer’s Guide to Defense Practice (2015)
- Co-author with Cynthia L. Kline, ACP, “Discovery in Long-Term Healthcare Cases,” Facts & Findings magazine, Vol. XLI Issue 3, March/April 2015
- Author, “Jury Instructions: Writing to Win,” DRI For the Defense magazine, March 2015
- Author, “Teamwork Through Trial: The Symbiotic Roles of the First- and Second-Chair Trial & Publications Attorneys”, DRI For the Defense magazine, 2009
- Author, “Protecting and Preserving the Peer Review Privilege - Solutions for Corporate Counsel Representing Hospitals, Health Care Corporations, and Health Care Providers,” DRI Defense Library Series, Evidentiary Privileges for Corporate Counsel, 2008
- Editor, “The Year in Review - 2006-2007 Case Law Update for West Virginia,” 2007 Defense Trial Counsel of West Virginia Notebook of Articles
- Contributing author, “Tort Reform and You - Perfect Together?” 2004 DRI Annual Meeting
- Author, “Admission to Practice Pro Hac Vice - The Rules of West Virginia and the 50 States,” 2002 West Virginia State Bar Annual Meeting
- Author, “Keeping the Duty to Warn Patients of the Risks and Side Effects of Mass Marketed Prescription Drugs Where it Belongs: With Their Physicians,” 26 U. Dayton L. Rev. 95, Winter 2000
Community
- Ronald McDonald House of Southern West Virginia, President, (2017-Present), Vice President (2005-2008, 2013-2017), Member, Board of Directors (2003-2008, 2011-Present)