Richard M. Wallace

An accomplished litigator and trusted advisor, Richard M. Wallace resolves labor and employment problems for a variety of clients in a manner that meets their business goals.

Rick maintains an active practice covering both employment litigation and traditional labor law. With experience in state and federal courts, Rick has tried multiple cases to a jury verdict on issues such as discrimination, wrongful discharge, workplace harassment and breaches of the duty of loyalty. He has successfully concluded arbitrations for employers and guided managers through troubling workplace scenarios.

Some of his successful employment litigation outcomes on behalf of clients include the following:

• Secured summary judgment on behalf of gaming industry client in aggressive litigation involving the Bank Secrecy Act and the Sarbanes Oxley Act. Mother and son dealers at a casino lodged allegations of illegal sports gaming by their employer – and they claimed protected activity by reporting the supposed violations. Summary judgment affirmed on appeal.
• Compelled arbitration on behalf of nationwide retailer when the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia decided, in an issue of first impression, that the delegation clause was enforceable in the employment context. 
• Obtained a permanent injunction that prevented a former telecommunications company executive from setting up a competing business. Also recovered damages for former employee’s violations of “duty of loyalty.”
• Won summary judgment in favor of client in gaming industry who faced alleged violations of tip pooling under a novel legal theory, which was an issue of first impression. Potential class numbered close to 500 plaintiffs. Summary judgment affirmed upon appeal.
• Set new case law in West Virginia when the state’s Supreme Court of Appeals ruled that criminal statutes were not a source of public policy for the purposes of a common-law wrongful discharge claim. Decision was favorable for employers statewide and circumscribed the ability of plaintiffs going forward to rely on potential sources of public policy that had not been expressly defined by the legislature.  

In addition to his litigation practice, Rick routinely represents management in all aspects of traditional labor law. As lead negotiator in numerous collective bargaining sessions, he has brought determination and adaptability to challenging discussions, ultimately reaching agreements favorable to his clients. He has directed multiple labor-related litigation matters in federal court, represented employers in proceedings before the National Labor Relations Board, and advised companies during labor organizing campaigns.

Rick has extensive experience in guiding employers through work stoppages, including assisting with strike preparation and representing companies in state court to obtain injunctive relief for strike-related misconduct. He has also successfully represented management in numerous labor grievance arbitrations throughout the country.

In 2017, Rick was appointed by West Virginia Governor Jim Justice – and subsequently confirmed by the West Virginia Senate – to serve on the West Virginia State Personnel Board, which sets policy governing nearly 30,000 classified employees in the state.

In his personal life, Rick is an avid skier who competed on the college ski team in several categories of the U.S. Collegiate Ski and Snowboard Association.