I
was a non-traditional student. I didn’t enroll in the Eberly College of Arts and
Sciences until years after I had started and left college elsewhere. During those
years away from school, I discovered academic philosophy and realized how much
I wanted to study it. After graduating from the Eberly College with a degree
in philosophy, I eventually returned to WVU to study
law. After graduating from law school, I became a lawyer. That’s what I am
today, although immediately after selling the first copy of my novel, I started
introducing myself as “novelist (pause) lawyer” because that generally gets a
better reception.
Describe your new book, “M’s Celebrity.”
It’s a story told by a first person narrator who discovers a man whom the narrator
refers to as “M.” After his initial interactions with M, the narrator starts
to believe that M may be a genius. The narrator describes how M and his group
of like-minded followers begin an idealistic rebellion against the wrong-headed
aspects of their world. M and his group eventually focus on a famously beautiful
celebrity whom they believe to be the epitome of everything they oppose. As the
story develops, the narrator begins to question whether M’s interests in the
celebrity are less philosophical and more obsessive than M has led him to believe,
and the narrator finds himself involved in an ultimate confrontation between
M’s world and the celebrity’s world.
Briefly, describe your work as an attorney with McCune & Tsiatsos, PLLC.
We focus primarily on civil litigation—business disputes, personal injury, contract
issues—for plaintiffs and defendants. But we’ve also built a practice helping
land owners whose property has been taken in eminent domain proceedings, and
we do a good deal of estate work (will, trust and other document drafting and
estate disputes). My day-to-day work involves researching and drafting pleadings,
motions and other documents and appearing in court for hearings and trials.
What are you passionate about in your work?
I’m passionate about putting together the best argument I can for my clients. There
is often no clear answer to a given legal question. You have to make your best
argument based on previous cases and other authorities, but also on principles
of equity and common sense. Putting together an argument that wins a case for
your client can be very satisfying.
Where is your career headed?
I enjoy my practice in Martinsburg. I grew up in the area and my family and I enjoy
living here. Although our firm often handles large cases, there is still
a small town feel about the practice of law here. I see myself staying here and
practicing law in this setting for the foreseeable future. Also, there is a joke
that says that becoming a lawyer is like entering a pie eating contest in which
the prize is more pie.
How has your Eberly College experience helped shape your success?
The writing and critical thinking skills that I learned as a philosophy major have
been invaluable.
What has been your most rewarding teaching/coaching experience?
I was fortunate enough to serve as a student clerk for the Honorable Irene M. Keeley,
United States District Judge in Clarksburg during my last year of law school.
I learned a great deal from her about what federal judges expect and how law
should be practiced. I’ve also learned every day from the senior partner in our
firm, Richard McCune, who is one of the most experienced and accomplished attorneys
in the state. From those experiences, I’ve learned a little bit about how to
help others and advise younger attorneys and law students.
How are you a game changer? Or, how are you making a positive impact in the world?
We’ve helped our clients in many cases and many ways, and I’ve volunteered with
Legal Aid and done other things, but since my wife and I had our first child
almost four years ago (and another child in June 2017), I understand that nothing
I can do will compare to raising our kids well. To be responsible for another
life in this world is an awesome and terrifying prospect.
What is the most interesting thing that’s happened to you since graduating?
I suspect that most people would say that the most interesting thing about me is
that I wrote a novel. But my son’s interest in dinosaurs has brought about my
own fascination with paleontology. On some days, I can’t think of anything more
interesting than trying to learn about the natural history of a fossil. This
may be too dorky to print, but it’s true.
Your favorite WVU memory?
This is difficult. I have many wonderful memories of my time at WVU, especially
the time I spent during office hours and at philosophy club meetings with my
philosophy professors—David Cerbone, Daniel Shapiro, Beverly Hinton, Richard
Montgomery and others. They each are brilliant and personable, and they were
always generous with their time.
Anything else you’d like to share?
This is going to sound like world-weary, oh-so-wise advice that you always hear,
but to any student reading this, enjoy your time in college. You should study
hard and do your best academically, but also spend some time just enjoying the
experience. Things get so much harder after you graduate.
How do you support and participate in the philosophy department and at WVU now?
I’m afraid that I haven’t been as faithful an alumnus as others, but I’ve tried
to keep up with the different events. I’ve attended a few WVU functions, and
I follow the Department and the University on social media. And, of course, I
love reading Eberly Magazine.
