What Did We Accomplish In 2019?

2019 In Review

February 2020

SMS Stayed On Top in 2019

"Best Lawyers ® "

Kim Bandy , Dwayne Cyrus , Lou Ann Cyrus , Roberta Green , John F. McCuskey , David Shuman , Karen McElhinny , Natalie C. Schaefer , & William Slicer were named “Best Lawyers in America” for 2020 in the 26th Edition of Best Lawyers® .

US News & World Report ®

Shuman, McCuskey & Slicer, PLLC was honored to be named one of the top law firms of 2019 by US News and World Report® .

To Our Clients, Peers & Partners:

On behalf of the entire Shuman, McCuskey & Slicer, PLLC team, thank you for a great 2019. As we begin 2020, SMS is fortunate enough to work with incredible professionals and business leaders in the insurance and other industries across the country. We are deeply grateful for the work you have entrusted to us, and are looking forward to continuing working with you in the new decade.

Here's to 2020!

William R. Slicer , Managing Member

No One Pays Sticker Price for Healthcare Anymore

SMS Attorneys Co-Author Medical Malpractice Article for DRI

SMS attorneys Karen T. McElhinny , Emily L. Lilly , and Caleb B. David wrote an article titled “No One Pays Sticker Price for Healthcare Anymore: A Multistate Analysis of Recoverable Medical Special Damages in Medical Malpractice Litigation,” which was published in Defense Research Institute’s MedLaw Update. The article provides a broad view of the history of the collateral source rule and its intended consequences. The authors also provide analysis of the modifications of the collateral source rule both as a rule of damages and as a rule of evidence in light of the many changes in the healthcare and health insurance landscapes. The article further analyzes the judicial applications of the collateral source rule in all 50 States and Washington, D.C., categorizing the applications into four distinct categories based upon the how courts in each State apply the collateral source rule to damages and to evidentiary issues. The authors conclude by providing practice tips, from discovery to experts to pretrial motion practice, for defense lawyers to use when defending healthcare providers.

Our Winchester, VA Office Has Expanded

Three attorneys are now perfectly located to assist our clients in the Eastern Panhandle of WV and the Shenandoah Valley region of VA. These areas include Berkeley, Jefferson, Morgan, Hampshire, Hardy, Grant, and Mineral Counties in WV, the Northern Virginia area, and more.

View Winchester & Surrounding County Map Here

Great Additions and Changes in 2019

Shuman, McCuskey & Slicer was pleased to welcome two new associates in 2019. Justin Kearns , located in our Morgantown, WV office, joined in June. He focuses his practice exclusively on civil defense with a primary focus in the areas of medical malpractice, professional liability, insurance coverage, employment litigation, and general insurance defense. Timur Dikec , located in our Charleston, WV office, joined in August after passing the WV State Bar Exam. He was a summer associate with us in 2017. In addition, attorney David Butler was advanced to Jurist Member in 2019.

We are proud to be an AV Preeminent Rated insurance defense firm with attorneys licensed in New York, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, Ohio, Kentucky, North Carolina, and D.C.

Shuman, McCuskey & Slicer, PLLC | www.shumanlaw.com