Meet the Lawyers at Umina Legal
Free Case Review
Battle Tested Attorneys
Super Lawyers® Rated
Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum®
- Free Case Review
- Battle Tested Attorneys
- Super Lawyers® Rated
- Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum®
At Umina Legal PLLC, our team of highly experienced attorneys brings together over four decades of combined legal expertise. We have successfully represented clients across a broad range of practice areas, including car accidents, wrongful death, personal injury, catastrophic injury, trust litigation, business disputes, criminal defense, governmental claims, police brutality, and much more. When you choose our firm, you can trust that you are working with attorneys who possess the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate complex legal matters.
Our attorneys are well-versed in the intricacies of the law and are committed to providing exceptional representation to each and every client. We understand that every case is unique, and we take the time to listen to your specific needs and concerns. Whether you have been involved in a car accident, suffered a devastating loss, are seeking justice for a personal injury, or are facing a challenging legal dispute involving the government, we are here to help.
With a track record of successful outcomes and a dedication to client satisfaction, we have earned a reputation for delivering results. We believe in the power of effective communication and strive to keep you informed and involved throughout the entire legal process. Our team will work tirelessly to protect your rights, advocate for your best interests, and achieve the best possible outcome for your case.
When you choose Umina Legal PLLC, you can expect personalized attention, compassionate support, and strategic legal guidance. We are committed to providing you with the highest level of service and representation. Your success and satisfaction are our top priorities.
Trust in Umina Legal PLLC to be your dedicated legal partner. Contact us now and let us guide you towards a favorable resolution.
Ryan J. Umina, Esq.
Biography
Mr. Umina has established himself as an exceptional trial lawyer, earning a reputation for his fierce advocacy and impressive accolades in the legal profession. Recognized multiple years in a row as a Super Lawyers® Rising Star and a member of The National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40, he has also been honored by the National Academy of Personal Injury Attorneys (NAOPIA) as a Top 10 Under 40 Attorney and acknowledged as one of the "10 Best" Attorneys for Client Satisfaction by the American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys. Furthermore, he has been inducted into the esteemed Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum®.
During his time at West Virginia University College of Law, Mr. Umina defied expectations by dedicating his efforts to becoming an exceptional trial lawyer. Selected for four national trial competition teams and inducted into the Order of the Barristers upon graduation, he showcased his exceptional skills by winning the school's prestigious Lugar Cup in 2016, an in-house trial competition.
Mr. Umina's remarkable success can be attributed to his unwavering commitment to going to trial and his exceptional skill set in doing so. He has a proven track record of trying numerous criminal and civil jury trials to verdict in various venues across West Virginia and Pennsylvania. In the civil arena, he has secured multiple six-figure verdicts, while in criminal cases, he has successfully defended over a dozen felony charges, never having a client convicted of a felony at trial in a non-insanity defense case.
Above all, Mr. Umina takes great pride and responsibility in serving individuals and businesses during their most challenging times. Whether it's the devastating loss of a loved one, a catastrophic injury, or facing criminal charges, he understands the life-altering impact these events have on his clients. From day one, he provides unwavering support, guiding his clients through every facet of these unfortunate moments. As a business owner himself, Mr. Umina also possesses a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by different types of companies. He leverages a strong network of team members and associates to find and build the best path forward, tailored to each client's specific needs.
Experience
- Attorney, Umina Legal, PLLC, Morgantown, WV
- Attorney/Law Clerk, Cranston & Edwards, PLLC, Morgantown, WV
- Intern, W.Va. Sixteenth Judicial Circuit
- Student Attorney, West Virginia University College of Law Legal Clinic
- Summer Associate, Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough, LLP, Huntington, WV
Professional Associations
- Member, American Bar Association (ABA)
- Member, American Association for Justice (AAJ)
- Top 40 Under 40, The National Trial Lawyers
Education
- J.D., West Virginia University College of Law, Morgantown, WV
- Honors: Order of the Barristers
- Recipient of 2016 Lugar Cup
- Jessup International Moot Court
- Lugar Trial Association
- Member of Four National Trial Competition Teams
- CALI Awards – Legal Reasoning, Research, and Writing; Race, Racism, and American Law Seminar
- B.A., University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
- Honors: magna cum laude
- Certificate in Leadership
Bar Admissions
- West Virginia
- U.S. District Court Northern District of West Virginia
- U.S. District Court Southern District of West Virginia
- Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals
Presentations
- "The American Civil Jury Trial – History and Current Status," WVU Litigation CLE, Canaan Valley Resort, February 2018
- "Protecting Your Canna-Business," Strategic Cannabis Conference, WVU College of Law, March 2019
Civic and Community Engagement
- Monongalia County Fiduciary Commissioner
- Board of Directors, West Virginia Public Theater (past member)
- Stepping Stones Miracle League Sponsor
Mr. Umina's dedication to his clients and his impressive legal expertise make him a formidable advocate. Contact him today to benefit from his exceptional trial skills and unwavering commitment to achieving justice.
Beth L. Umina, Esq.
Biography
With a passion for excellence and a commitment to justice, Ms. Umina brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her practice. Raised in the picturesque Pacific Northwest, she developed a competitive spirit as a gymnast during her childhood. Graduating magna cum laude from West Virginia University, she continued her academic journey at the West Virginia University College of Law.
During her time in law school, Ms. Umina distinguished herself in the Land Use and Sustainable Development Law Clinic, where she dedicated her efforts to assisting local communities and organizations in their planning, zoning, and conservation endeavors. This experience sparked her passion for making a positive impact through the law.
Prior to joining Umina Legal, Ms. Umina served as in-house counsel for a prominent demolition, construction, and hazard remediation company based in Fairmont, WV. In this role, she gained invaluable knowledge and experience in various practice areas, including real estate law, labor and employment law, administrative law, environmental law, trademark law, insurance law, immigration law, workers compensation law, civil litigation, arbitration, union relations, and construction litigation.
Ms. Umina's practice focuses on business law, business litigation, general litigation, criminal defense, consumer rights, civil rights, wrongful death, and personal injury. Her dedication to achieving justice and her exceptional trial skills have earned her recognition as a Super Lawyers® Rising Star and a place on the prestigious National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40 list.
Beyond her legal pursuits, Ms. Umina has also made a significant impact as a competitive gymnastics coach for over fifteen years, nurturing and guiding numerous state, regional, and national champions.
Education
- J.D., West Virginia University College of Law
- Concentration in Energy and Sustainable Development Law
- Honors: Teacher’s Assistant – Legal Research and Writing
- Honors: Dean’s Fellow – Constitutional Law
- Honors: Research Assistant to the Director of the Center for Energy and Sustainable Development Law
- Honors: CALI Award – Clean Air Act Seminar
- Honors: Student Clinician; Land Use and Sustainable Development Law Clinic
- Major: Energy and Sustainable Development Law
- B.A. - magna cum laude, West Virginia University
- Honors: Dean’s List
- Honors: President’s List
- Honors: Alpha Lambda Delta for Outstanding G.P.A.
- Honors: Lambda Pi Eta – National Communication Honor Society
Bar Admissions
- West Virginia
- United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia
- United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia
Civic and Community Engagement
In her commitment to serving the community, Ms. Umina also holds the position of Monongalia County Fiduciary Commissioner, demonstrating her dedication to fairness and integrity beyond the confines of her normal legal practice.
With a proven track record of success, Ms. Umina is ready to provide you with exceptional legal representation and guide you through the complexities of the legal system. Schedule a consultation today to discover how her expertise and passion can make a difference in your case.
Lori J. Paletta-Davis, Esq.
Biography
Lori Paletta-Davis (affectionally known as "LPD") has decades of legal experience with her practice spanning multiple states--licensed in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. Prior to joining Umina Legal, LPD spent a large portion of her career serving as the Chief Legal Officer for retailer Gabriel Brother's or "Gabe's," seeing the organization grow from nine locations to over 140. LPD also worked with well known law firms focusing in business litigation and recently served as an attorney with the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals.
LPD is well-versed in a number of practice areas including, but not limited to, corporate structuring, business organization, business/corporate litigation, trust litigation, employment discrimination, human resources issues, and general litigation. She is also a certified mediator.
LPD oversees the firms Pennsylvania operations and provides invaluable decades of knowledge and experience to all of our firm's clients.
Bar Admissions
- West Virginia
- Pennsylvania
- Ohio
Civic and Community Positions
- LPD is involved in multiple non-profit organizations, including the D. Daniel Davis Sunflower Project and has seen through the creation and endowment of the D. Daniel Davis Memorial Scholarship at Waynesburg University.
Seth F. Huy, Esq.
Biography
Mr. Huy is a proud son of Morgantown, West Virginia. In his professional life, he made the choice to stay home and serve the community that raised him.
A graduate of Morgantown High School, Seth went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the West Virginia University College of Engineering and Mineral Resources where he was a founding member of the Sigma Phi Delta Fraternity of Engineers Chapter at West Virginia University.
While at the West Virginia University College of Law, Mr. Huy held internships with the Office of the Secretary of State's Legal and Elections Division and the Marion County, West Virginia, Prosecuting Attorney's Office. In his final year of law school, he served as a student attorney for the West Virginia Innocence Project.
Seth is based out of our firm's Morgantown office and focuses his practice on civil matters, including but not limited to, governmental liability & discrimination claims, business litigation, contract disputes, employment discrimination, and general tort litigation. He also handles some of the firm's criminal matters based out of Monongalia County.
In his free time, Seth can be found jogging the trails of Morgantown in the summer and snow skiing in the winter. He also holds a first degree black belt in Taekwondo and is a certified open water scuba diver.
Experience
- Umina Legal, PLLC
- Pullin, Fowler, Flanagan, Brown & Poe, PLLC
Education
- West Virginia University College of Law
- Juris Doctorate (2020)
- Honors: Teacher’s Assistant – Legal Research and Writing
- West Virginia University
- B.S. Civil Engineering (2017)
Bar Admissions
- West Virginia
- Pennsylvania
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia
- Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals
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