Why choose me?
Communication, work ethic and experience.
I have been serving individuals in the Morgantown area for nearly seventeen years.
When we meet for the first time, my goal is to find out what’s most important to you, to answer your questions, and to take the mystery out of the legal process.
After that, I create a unique legal strategy based on the facts of your case, and begin the work of moving your case forward. As things progress, we will stay in contact, which serves two purposes – it keeps you informed, and it allows us to make better decisions.
I am not the kind of lawyer that “shoots from the hip”.
You will know what to expect when we go to court, and we will both be prepared for every hearing. Whether it’s working over the weekend, talking to you after hours or traveling to the scene of your arrest or accident, I do what it takes to give you the best chance of securing a favorable outcome.
I have been practicing law for eighteen years.
During that time, I have appeared in hundreds of hearings, had successful jury and bench trials, argued several cases before the West Virginia Supreme Court, represented high-profile clients, and secured favorable resolutions in many types of cases, including expungements, DUI’s, State and City criminal offenses, and university dismissals and expulsions.
I have developed good working relationships with lawyers, prosecutors, law enforcement personnel and local university employees.
What does all of this mean for you?
When you work with me, there are no surprises.
Background and Education
I was born and raised in a small town just south of Parkersburg, West Virginia. The son of a school teacher and an attorney, I quickly learned the value of hard work, education and achievement, and graduated from Wirt County High School early at the age of sixteen.
I went on to attend West Virginia University, graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and Pre-law in 2000. Upon graduation, I moved to San Diego, California for my legal education. I graduated from California Western School of Law in 2005 as a three time Dean’s List recipient.
After law school, I remained in the greater San Diego area and worked with the San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program, providing free legal services to underprivileged residents. I received the Wiley E. Manuel Pro-Bono Award for this work. Working for this underserved population made an impact on me, and provided the inspiration for eventually opening my own law practice.
In 2006, I returned to home and began focusing on West Virginia DUI law and personal injury law with my father Alan at his office in Elizabeth, West Virginia.
After apprenticing for one year, I relocated to Morgantown, West Virginia and opened Simms Law Office in 2007 – a practice dedicated to DUI defense, criminal defense, personal injury, car accidents, wrongful death, student disciplinary defense and criminal record expungement.
I am licensed to practice in all West Virginia Courts, including the U.S. District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of West Virginia, and the West Virginia Supreme Court.
More About Me
Outside of work, I am an active cyclist, and enjoy traveling and spending time with my family in Morgantown. I am also studying Spanish, and hope to soon be able to provide representation in that language.
Continuing Legal Education
I make every effort to stay on the cutting edge of the difficult issues that my DUI, criminal defense, personal injury, wrongful death, and expungement clients face. Listed below are some of my continuing legal education credits:
Ethics and Professionalism – June, 2018
Trial Evidence: Artistry and Advocacy in the Courtroom — April, 2018
Zealous Advocacy in Sexual Assault and Child Victim Cases – November, 2016
Avoiding Ethical Dilemmas and Challenges – September, 2015
DWI Detection and Standardized Field Sobriety Testing, 2013 Update – May, 2014
DWI – Defending with Ingenuity, Trial Techniques that Win – October, 2013
Drug Recognition Expert Seminar – Overview of the Drug Evaluation and Classification
Program – September, 2013
OACDL Seminar – Advanced DUI Defense – March, 2012
WVAJ Midwinter Seminar – February, 2011
Suppressing Statements of the Accused – November, 2010
DWI – Defending with Ingenuity – October, 2009
Evidence with Faust Rossi – October, 2009
Drafting Jury Instructions – December, 2008
Fourth Amendment Litigation – November, 2007
DUI Litigation – July, 2006