Bio
- Member, Robinson & McElwee, 1998-present
- Associate, Robinson & McElwee, 1993-1997
- Former Chair, Labor & Employment Department, Robinson & McElwee
- Clerkship with the Honorable Thomas E. McHugh, Justice, Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia, 1988-93
Mr. Kawash practices within Robinson & McElwee’s Labor & Employment Department, with a primary focus on workers’ compensation and unemployment compensation claims. He maintains significant experience defending West Virginia workers’ compensation and unemployment compensation claims and has represented corporate clients in administrative proceedings, including discovery, depositions, hearings and appellate levels.
Mr. Kawash practices before agencies such as the Human Rights Commission and Workers’ Compensation Office of Judges. Additionally, he has represented clients before the Department of Homeland Security with regard to immigration law, successfully finding asylum for an immigrant family. He represents clients in many industries, including retail, restaurants, residential heath care facilities, coal companies and manufacturers.
By gubernatorial appointment, Mr. Kawash serves as a member of the West Virginia Ethics Commission’s Probable Cause Review Board. Mr. Kawash is also a member of the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce Workers’ and Unemployment Compensation Committee.
Mr. Kawash has spoken to numerous business groups and authored various publications regarding workers’ compensation law and employment practices.
Before joining Robinson & McElwee, Mr. Kawash clerked for the Honorable Thomas E. McHugh, Justice for the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia, from 1988-1993.
In his spare time, Mr. Kawash enjoys and supports involvement in baseball. Mr. Kawash is a member of the South Charleston Little League Board of Directors and former member of the Society for American Baseball Research.
Experience
- Nearly 20 years of experience defending West Virginia workers’ compensation and unemployment compensation claims.
- Representation of corporate clients in administrative proceedings, including discovery, depositions, hearings and appellate levels.
- Representation of corporate clients’ interests before government agencies.
- Has spoken to numerous business groups, and authored numerous publications, regarding workers’ compensation law and employment practices.
- Clerkship with the Honorable Thomas E. McHugh, Justice, Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia, 1988-93.
Credentials
- J.D., Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, 1988
- B.S., Accounting, University of Charleston, 1985
Bar & Court Admissions
- West Virginia State Bar
- Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia
- United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia
- United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
Professional Affiliations
- Member by gubernatorial appointment, Probable Cause Review Board, West Virginia Ethics Commission
- Member by appointment, Access to Justice Commission
- Kanawha County Bar Association
- Workers’ and Unemployment Compensation Committee, West Virginia Chamber of Commerce
- ALFA International – Workers’ Compensation Practice Group
- Board of Governors Member (1995-present); Former President (1999-2001), St. Thomas More Catholic Lawyers Society
- President, Rotary Club of South Charleston