Areas of Practice
Credentials
- J.D., West Virginia University, 1955
- A.B., Education, Glenville State College, 1949
- Order of the Coif
- Student Editor-in-Chief of Law Review
Bar & Court Admissions
Professional Affiliations
- West Virginia Bar Association
- Kanawha County Bar Association
- Of Counsel, Robinson & McElwee, 1997-2005, 2009-present
- Member, Robinson & McElwee, 1983-1996
- Former Manager, Robinson & McElwee
- Partner, Love, Wise, Robinson & Woodroe, 1976-1983
- Partner, James, Wise, Robinson & Magnuson, 1969-1976
- Partner, McClintic, James, Wise & Robinson, 1968
- Dayton, Campbell & Love, 1957-1968
- Assistant Attorney General, 1956-1957
- U.S. Army, 1950-1952
Mr. McElwee continues to serve the legal, civic and academic fields with more than 55 years of legal experience.
Mr. McElwee devotes himself to extensive research of the West Virginia public schools system and writing articles for publications such as West Virginia Lawyer, The State Journal and The Charleston Gazette.
Mr. McElwee has drafted a definitive list of subjects and issues needed to be addressed in the public schools system. Before serving with the United States Army during the Korean War, Mr. McElwee worked as a teacher, thus his passion and interest in improving the school system.
Mr. McElwee earned his law degree from West Virginia University in 1955 and has practiced continuously since then.
Mr. McElwee worked for several law firms before joining six others as founding partners to form Robinson & McElwee in 1983. Mr. McElwee accepted an Of Counsel position at the firm in 1997.
As Of Counsel, Mr. McElwee practices with regard to public utility law matters. In addition, Mr. McElwee works tirelessly researching and writing about the state of the public schools system.
In his pursuit of education research, Mr. McElwee has developed support and met with leaders across the state, including superintendents, principals, teachers and labor and teacher unions. Additionally, Mr. McElwee has enlisted the support of the Department of Education and business and civic leaders.
- Representation of utilities in all phases of their regulation by state agencies.
- Serves as counsel for utilities engaged in the sale to the public of electricity, natural gas and communication services.
- Handling of regulatory matters before the Public Service Commission, including general rate cases, expanded net energy cost proceedings, complaint cases, rule-making proceedings and attempts to regulate utility practices.
- Federal trial and appellate experience.
- Extensive appellate practice before the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia.
- Legislative work.
- Founding Member, Robison & McElwee.
- Author, “Making a more democratic process.(link is external)“ Charleston Gazette, May 2014
- Author, “Legislating learning failing.” Charleston Gazette, March 2014
- Author, “Real change in education require engaged citizens.” Charleston Gazette, January 2013
- Author, “Will BOE do the right thing.” Charleston Gazette, November 2012
- Author, “A ‘blueprint’ is needed to examine state’s public school system(link is external).” State Journal, August 2012
- Author, “Is free will an illusion?” Charleston Gazette, July 2012
- Author, “Crossing the divide between conservatives, liberals(link is external).” State Journal, July 2012
- Author, “West Virginia has a public school crisis.” Charleston Gazette, June 2012
- Author, “Shanghai may have the right idea when it comes to training teachers(link is external).” State Journal, May 2012
- Author, “How conservatives and liberals got that way(link is external).” Charleston Gazette, April 2012
- Author, “W.Va. could learn from Finland’s education system(link is external).” Charleston Gazette, April 2012
- Author, “Education audit raises many issues(link is external).” Charleston Gazette, March 2012
- Author, “How can we make great teachers?(link is external)” Charleston Gazette, February 2012
- Author, “Report Card Is Bad News for US, Worse News For W.V.(link is external)” State Journal, February 2012
- Author, “Coal, Electricity and Prosperity Are Intertwined(link is external).” State Journal, December 2011
- Author, “Economic decline is a real possibility(link is external).” Charleston Gazette, November 2011
- Co-author, “Is health mandate legal?(link is external)” Charleston Gazette, July 2011
- Co-author, “Justice, Law Should Prevail In ObamaCare Debate(link is external).” State Journal, April 2011
- Co-author, “Health care and the law(link is external).” Charleston Gazette, April 2011
- Speaker, Co-Author, “Ownership of Non-Tidal Streambeds, Banks and Their Substrata in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Virginia, Kentucky and West Virginia.” 32nd Annual Energy & Mineral Law Institute (EMLF), 2011
- Author, “Key Questions Emerge in Gubernatorial Succession Discussion(link is external).” State Journal, November 2010
- Author, “Court Holds Key To Answering Gubernatorial Questions(link is external).” State Journal, November 2010
- Co-Author, “Can America capture and store carbon?(link is external)” Charleston Gazette, September 2010
- Author “Gubernatorial vacancy likewise should be filled sooner(link is external).” Charleston Gazette, July 2010
- Author, “Byrd vacancy imperils Senate leader(link is external).” Charleston Gazette, July 2010
- Author, “Only Legislature can set election to fill Byrd seat(link is external).” Charleston Gazette, July 2010
- Author, “The Pot Calls The Kettle Black.” The West Virginia Lawyer, September/October 2004
- Author, “Kiss and McGraw.” The West Virginia Lawyer, September 2001
- Author, “Disqualification of Judges Because of Campaign Contributions.” The West Virginia Lawyer, April 1999
- Author, “Contributions to Judicial Candidates.” The West Virginia Lawyer, May 1998
- Author, “Helping Jurors to Be Better Students of the Case.” The West Virginia Lawyer, December 1996
- Author, “Merit Selection Of Judges.” The West Virginia Lawyer, March 1995
- Former President, Community Council
- Former Member, Board of Directors, United Way
- Former Member, Board of Directors, Kanawha Valley Foundation
- Former Member, Board of Directors, National Youth Science Foundation