William K. Schwartz

Introducing Bill, an esteemed attorney with a remarkable career spanning over three decades in West Virginia. From 1997 to 2019, he served as the owner of Harvit & Schwartz, L.C., one of the state's leading law firms dedicated to representing injured workers diagnosed with life-threatening conditions such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, leukemia, silicosis, and other diseases resulting from exposure to toxic substances like asbestos and benzene. Bill was renowned for his relentless advocacy on behalf of workers, including those affected by tragic incidents like the Sago and Upper Big Branch Mine disasters. His efforts yielded groundbreaking verdicts against industry giants Union Carbide and DuPont in significant asbestos litigation cases.

Throughout his extensive career, Bill has been a steadfast champion for injured workers and their families in West Virginia. As early as 1992, he secured a groundbreaking verdict of $3.2 million for a glass worker suffering from mesothelioma. His dedication continued, as evidenced by his involvement in a subsequent $6 million verdict against a chemical company, as well as his representation of numerous other personal injury claimants. Notably, Bill also obtained a verdict that deemed West Virginia Union Carbide facilities unsafe for workers between 1940 and 1980, alongside a punitive multiplier regarding asbestos exposure. These landmark verdicts led to multi-million dollar settlements for countless workers and families in West Virginia, providing them with much-needed compensation for avoidable injuries and losses. In addition, Bill played an instrumental role in the development of a Case Management Order and legislation pertaining to asbestos exposure litigation within the state.

Recognized by his peers, Bill has consistently garnered recommendations from fellow attorneys for his unwavering commitment and effectiveness in the courtroom. Benchmark Litigation distinguished him as "one of the preeminent Plaintiffs litigation practitioners in the country," while the National Trial Lawyers named him among the Top 100 lawyers. He has also been a sought-after speaker at legal seminars nationwide and has shared his expertise as a lecturer on law at West Virginia State University. Bill's contributions extend beyond his legal practice; he was a member of the National Asbestos/Mesothelioma Trial Lawyers Association and served on the Executive Committee for the West Virginia Association for Justice, where he received the prestigious President's Award. His reputation and qualifications prompted the Governor's Panel of legal and business leaders to recommend him for a potential appointment as a Justice to a vacancy on the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals. Most recently, he even pursued candidacy for the same position.

In addition to his professional endeavors, Bill has been actively involved in philanthropic causes. He played a vital role in establishing and sponsoring the Breath of Life organization, which successfully raised over $100,000 for cancer research. As a former college athlete and proud father of athletes, he created and sponsored the Capital High School Cross Country Invitational, an event that welcomed hundreds of student athletes annually for many years. Both of his sons proudly joined the ranks of Marshall University. Furthermore, during the pandemic, Bill provided personal protective masks to healthcare workers across various medical facilities throughout the state, demonstrating his commitment to supporting those on the frontlines.

Bill's legal expertise has extended beyond West Virginia, as he has litigated in courts across the state and has provided assistance to lawyers in Texas, Baltimore, and San Francisco. He holds admissions to practice law in Kentucky, the District of Columbia, and federal courts, including the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals.