Robert M. Stonestreet

Robert M. Stonestreet: Experienced Land, Energy & Environmental Litigator in Charleston, WV

Robert M. Stonestreet is a seasoned attorney specializing in land, energy, and environmental law. With over two decades of experience, Mr. Stonestreet has built an impressive track record of successfully litigating complex cases across multiple jurisdictions.

Practice Areas

• Civil Litigation
• Commercial Litigation
• Litigation - Environmental
• Mining Law
• Natural Resources Law
• Administrative / Regulatory Law
• Arbitration
• Corporate Law
• Environmental Law
• Energy Law
• Private Equity
• Litigation - Mass Tort
• Tort Litigation
• Mergers & Acquisitions
• Economic Damages
• Construction Defects
• Product Liability
• Commercial Contracts
• Litigation - Insurance Coverage
• Traffic and Highway Accidents
• DUI Defense
• Civil Rights Violations
• Fraudulent Concealment
• Hiring Practices & Employment Discrimination
• Personal Injury/Wrongful Death/Compliance with Workers' Compensation Law
• Real Estate Litigation and Transactions
• Civil Fraud
• Product Safety
• Commercial Disputes
• Land Use
• Construction Defects
• Labor and Employment Law
• Personal Injury/Wrongful Death/Compliance with Workers' Compensation Law
• Traffic and Highway Accidents
• DUI Defense
• Civil Rights Violations

Education & Credentials

• Bachelor of Arts, History, Marshall University (summa cum laude), 2000
• J.D., West Virginia University College of Law, 2003
• Executive Manuscript Editor, West Virginia Law Review, May 2001 to December 2001
• Magna Cum Laude Honor Roll, West Virginia University College of Law (top five percent)
• Admitted to practice in: West Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky, the United States District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of West Virginia, the Northern and Southern Districts of Ohio, the District of Columbia, and the United States Courts of Appeals for the Fourth, Sixth, and Ninth Circuits
• Recognition by Chambers USA (top energy & natural resources and environmental lawyers), 2013-present
  • Led West Virginia Land Resources, Inc. v. American Bituminous Power Partners, LP in October 2022 to June 14, 2023
  • Successfully argued SWN Production Company, LLC v. Conley before the Supreme Court of West Virginia in 2020; affirmed on merits
  • Represented Triad Hunter, LLC and Eagle Natrium, LLC in November 2019 to July 7, 2019 in the First Circuit Court of Appeals (Ohio 7th District)
  • Drafted Affiliated Construction Trades Foundation v. West Virginia Department of Transportation in June 2011 for appeal before the Fourth United States Circuit Court of Appeals
  • Named Best Lawyers® Lawyer of the Year, Environmental Law, Charleston, WV, 2022
  • Likewise, named Recognized by Best Attorney USA, 2013-present

Affiliations and Memberships

• Defense Research Institute (DRI), member since 2018
• Gas & Oil Association of West Virginia's Environment Committee, member since 2009
• West Virginia Coal Association Environmental and Technical Committee, member since 2005
• Southern District Court of Appeals Appellate Practice Group, member from 2018 to present
• Air & Waste Management Association, West Virginia Chapter, past president from 2019 to 2020; current secretary since 2020
• Marshall University Quarterback Club of Charleston, President since October 2023
  • Led the organization in planning and executing all major events for the season, including the Marshall University vs. Notre Dame game, raising over $50,000 through fundraising efforts
  • Participated in multiple initiatives to enhance student involvement and leadership opportunities at the university
• Meeks Mountain Trail Alliance, director since 2016; Vice President from 2018 to present
  • Spearheaded the development of three miles of new public hiking/biking trails in Putnam County, WV through collaboration with local landowner and city government officials
  • Chaired the Water Subcommittee for the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce's Environment Committee from 2015 to 2016; led advocacy efforts on water quality protection and management practices in the region
• Led the Board of Directors, Leadership West Virginia, past president since 2019 to present
  • Chaired statewide initiatives aimed at increasing student engagement and leadership development opportunities within state universities; spearheaded multiple workshops and networking events in partnership with university partners across West Virginia
  • Led the creation of a scholarship fund for underprivileged students pursuing higher education, resulting in 10 scholarships awarded annually over a decade-long commitment
• Defense Trial Counsel of West Virginia's Energy Committee, Vice Chair since October 2018 to present
  • Served as an integral member in drafting and enforcing industry-specific best practices for energy law practitioners within the state, focusing on areas such as renewable energy incentives, transmission rights disputes, and pipeline safety regulations

Professional Philosophy

Robert M. Stonestreet brings a unique blend of legal acumen and community engagement to his role as an attorney. He is deeply committed to serving clients with unparalleled dedication and leveraging his extensive litigation experience across various practice areas. Stonestreet's approach to environmental law emphasizes thorough research, meticulous preparation, and strategic advocacy in the courtroom. His expertise extends beyond traditional litigation to encompass a wide range of practice areas including but not limited to: civil rights violations, labor and employment law, product liability, commercial contracts, real estate transactions, mergers & acquisitions, and intellectual property disputes.

Robert M. Stonestreet is committed to staying at the forefront of environmental issues by providing clients with comprehensive counsel tailored to their specific needs and circumstances. He aims to establish a strong foundation for his clients' legal challenges through detailed analysis of case law, thorough investigation of all relevant facts, and strategic negotiation with opposing parties.

Whether representing individuals or corporations in complex litigation matters or navigating regulatory compliance issues within the energy sector, Robert M. Stonestreet consistently demonstrates his commitment to excellence, integrity, and client advocacy. He prides himself on offering personalized service to every case he handles and is dedicated to fostering long-term relationships with his clients.

Robert M. Stonestreet has established a reputation for handling high-stakes disputes skillfully, adeptly navigating the intricacies of legal representation and litigation strategies across various jurisdictions. His success stories highlight his commitment to achieving favorable outcomes for his clients, backed by years of dedicated service in this demanding field.