JOE SHAFFER
EXPERIENCE West Virgina Attorney
Shaffer Madia Law PLLC, Member, 2015-present
Currently engaged in the practice of
Criminal Law, Civil Litigation, Property Law and Municipal Law.
HARRISON COUNTY PROSECUTING ATTORNEY, Harrison County, West Virginia
Chief Legal Officer and Prosecutor, 2003 — 2015
- Responsible for managing a staff of twenty, including eleven Assistant Prosecuting Attorneys
- Legal Counsel for Harrison County Commission and all other Constitutional Officers
- Responsible for misdemeanor and felony prosecutions
- Responsible for managing budget
- Counsel for West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources in child abuse and neglect matters
- Coordinate and maintain an effective working relationship with Harrison County Board of Education as well as provide advice to the Board regarding legal issues affecting the schools, personnel and students
- Responsible for numerous other Constitutional and statutory duties of the second largest Prosecuting Attorney’s Office in the State of West Virginia
- President, Harrison County Community Corrections Board
- Member, Harrison County Courthouse Security Board
LAW OFFICE OF JOSEPH F. SHAFFER, Clarksburg, West Virginia
Sole Practitioner, General Legal Practice concentrated in the areas of
Criminal and Civil Law, February 1997 – February 2003
- Felony and misdemeanor criminal litigation
- Civil litigation, real estate, property and administrative law
- Shinnston City Attorney, 1997-2000
- Lumberport Town Attorney, 2001-2003
- Member, Police Civil Service Commission, 2002-2003
- Member, Harrison County Child Abuse Task Force, 2002-2003
LAW OFFICES OF SCOT S. DIERINGER, Clarksburg, West Virginia
Associate, General Legal Practice concentrated in the areas of Criminal
and Civil Law, May 1995 — February 1997
CHURCH, KRITSELIS, WYBLE & ROBINSON, P.C., Lansing, Michigan
Law Clerk, January 1993 — May 1994
APPOINTMENTS
- Member Attorney, Criminal Justice Act Panel — appointed by the Honorable Irene M. Keeley, Judge, United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia, 1995 — 2002
- Member, Selection Committee to recommend the appointment of United States Magistrate Court Judge – appointed by the Honorable Irene M. Keeley, Judge, United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia, 2001
ADMISSIONS TO PRACTICE LAW
- West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals, May 1, 1995
- United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia, May 1, 1995
- United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia, November 1, 1995
- United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, May 18, 1999
OTHER PUBLIC SERVICE
- Advisor, Harrison County Teen Court Program, 2001-2007
- Trial Instructor, American Legion Mountaineer Boy’s State, Summer 2002
EDUCATION
Legal:
THOMAS M. COOLEY LAW SCHOOL, Lansing, Michigan
Juris Doctor, September, 1994
- Assistant Editor, Law Review
- Distinguished Student Award, Fall 1994 Graduating Class
- Moot Court Competition
- Hearing Officer, Scholastic Review Board
- Negotiation Competition, Team Member
- Judge, Michigan High School Moot Court Finals
Graduate:
WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY, Morgantown, West Virginia
Graduate Student: Masters in Business Administration, 1985-1986
- Dean’s List Honors
Undergraduate:
FAIRMONT STATE COLLEGE, Fairmont, West Virginia
Bachelor of Science: Business Administration, 1982
- Dean’s List Honors
- Honor Roll
OTHER EXPERIENCE
ALL AMERICAN FOODS CORP., Clarksburg, West Virginia
President / General Manager, December 1983 — December 1991
- Initiated and developed retail food service and gasoline business
- Managed fifteen full-time employees and tripled business locations in six years
VOLUNTEER
- Board Member and Coach, Jerry West Youth League Basketball
- Coach, Harrison County Parks and Recreation Sports
- Robert C. Byrd High School Boosters Club
