John A. Kessler, Attorney

John A. "Jack" Kessler graduated from West Virginia University undergraduate school in 1970 with a B.A. Degree in Political Science.  Jack graduated from West Virginia University College of Law in 1976.  Jack was a member of the Marine Corps Reserves from 1970-1976, and after graduating from law school, Jack worked as a staff attorney at the Legal Aid Society of Charleston from 1976-1980, primarily representing indigent clients in consumer matters.

From 1980-1983, Jack was an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for Kanawha County.  In his first year, Jack handled misdemeanor and mental hygiene hearings and, in the succeeding years, he tried felony cases.

Jack moved to the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of West Virginia in 1983, where he remained until 1989.  Jack tried felony cases of many different types, including interstate automobile theft, murder for hire, public corruption and controlled substance distribution.  In 1986, Jack became the lead attorney for the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force and prosecuted cases that resulted in more than fifty convictions.

From 1989 to 1996, Jack was a partner in the law firm of Hunt & Wilson, later renamed Hunt, Lees, Farrel & Kessler.  Jack tried a number of plaintiffs cases in the areas of employment law, criminal law and medical malpractice.

In 2000, Jack became a non-equity partner at Flaherty, Sensabaugh & Bonasso, PLLC where he worked almost exclusively on medical malpractice defense.

In 2004, Jack became a member of the law firm of Carey, Scott & Douglas, PLLC.  This firm is engaged, primarily, in complex civil litigation on behalf of individuals and corporations.  The firm also practices in the areas of administrative, education, criminal, medical malpractice and product liability law.

Jack has tried over one hundred cases to verdict in West Virginia State Circuit Court or Federal District Court and he is admitted to practice before the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, and the United States District Court for the Northen and Southern Districts of West Virginia.