Veteran prosecutor opens his own legal firm in Fayette County

By Stephen Baldwin, RealWV

To hear Wes Toney talk about the law is like listening to Shirley Love sing about West Virginia. There’s a sense of awe and admiration for the subject matter; Wes Toney loves the law and holds it in highest regard. 

“What makes our country great is that we’re a nation of laws, not of man,” he shares. “In this country, the law is the great equalizer. The law solves conflicts.” 

For Toney, practicing law is a matter of working together and building a relationship. “Trust is the difference between being a good counselor and just providing a service that’s transactional.” 

He hopes to meet that lofty bar of being a “counselor” to local citizens in southern West Virginia as he opens a private law firm in Oak Hill following a decorated career of public service. 

Following five years of active duty service in the US Army, including one year of deployment to Kadahar, Afghanistan, Toney has brought his love of the law to bear in government work. He began by serving as an Analyst in the West Virginia Legislature, then helped teachers and service personnel at the American Federation of Teachers, before becoming an Assistant Prosecutor in Fayette County. He returned to the state capitol next, where he served as Senate Minority Counsel. Fayette County then enticed him to return home as Chief Prosecutor in the county. Now, for the first time, he has gone into private practice opening the Toney Law Firm, where he can bring all his experience to the table for local citizens. 

“I’ve done a little bit of everything,” Toney says of his experience. “Now is the first time I can apply everything I’ve learned to helping the community.” 

“We’ve lost a lot of attorneys locally,” he notes. “Two passed away and others aren’t practicing anymore. There’s a need out there.”

Toney opened the practice only last month but already has a caseload for his clients. “It’s going really well so far,” he says. “It feels really good to be able to help people with their problems. It’s something I’ve always enjoyed. I enjoy trying to fix things and resolve problems in a way that’s good for everyone. It has been a blessing that a lot of people have come in the past few weeks. Whether it’s  a custody issue or criminal matter or a grandparent visitation, I try to help.” 

Asked about his style, Toney says, “I’m thorough. I’m going to listen and be compassionate, but I want to give you the best advice based on the law and the scenario possible. I’m aggressive, in a good way. I’ve seen aggressive in a bad way and it’s not helpful to people. I tell them this is where I think the law is what your best chance is or what the results are likely to be. Then people can make the best decision for themselves based on my advice or counsel.”

He learned to be thorough and aggressive while serving in the US Army. “It’s vitally important, a matter of life and death sometimes, that you always do the best you can because doing the work the right way is the only way the system works and people have respect for it,” he says. 

“Of all the things the army taught me, it reinforced that whatever you’re doing, you have to do the best you can.”

When Toney isn’t working, he enjoys spending time with his family.  “My boys are in sports, so I’m an assistant baseball coach with my youngest,” he shares with delight in his voice. “My oldest is playing both middle school soccer and football. So whether it’s picking up food to feed the team who’s playing tonight or coaching or attending, our evenings are filled. That’s a great blessing. It’s an exciting time for us.”

You can find the Toney Law Firm at 1 Hamilton Plaza, Oak Hill, WV, by phone at 304-469-3264, on Facebook, or at their website.