Leah R. Chappell, Esq.
Chappell Law Office, L.C.
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P.O. Box 1005
Charles Town, WV 25414
Email: Leah@ChappellLawLC.com
Tel: (304) 606-2974
Fax: (304) 606-3134
When You Need a Lawyer
There are times when meeting with a lawyer is a welcome experience, such as when you’re buying a house or adopting a child. But if you’re hiring a lawyer to represent you in court, it’s often because something bad is happening to you or someone you love.
Neighbor sued you over a property line dispute?
Gotta hire a lawyer.
Your spouse filed for divorce?
Gotta hire a lawyer.
You own property with 17 cousins and you’ve decided it’s time to sell, but 12 of the cousins won’t even talk about it?
Gotta hire a lawyer.
Or worse, your adult child’s life challenges have gotten bad enough that your grandchildren are in state custody?
Gotta hire a lawyer.
What Can You Expect From
Chappell Law Office, L.C.?
In every first meeting with a client, my goal is to make sure that the client walks out the door knowing as much as possible about what to expect in their case. Whether my assessment feels like good news or bad news, you will get the benefit of my experience litigating every day in courts across the State of West Virginia for 33 years.
What Kind of Cases Do We Handle?
My practice covers a wide variety of litigation, including all family court matters, adoptions, personal injury, boundary line disputes, quiet title suits, contested probate matters, partition suits, and child abuse cases.
I have successfully handled numerous appeals before the West Virginia appellate courts, and I am admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court.
PARTITION SUITS
If you own real property with others, you can file a partition suit in Circuit Court. I handle many of these, and I will help you navigate the options of having the property divided, buying out the other co-owners, or having the property sold and the proceeds divided.
BOUNDARY LINE DISPUTES
If you and your neighbor are arguing over where your boundary line is located, building a fence or having a surveyor locate the line may not be enough. You may have to file a suit in Circuit Court which asks the judge or a jury to decide where the boundary line is located.
ADOPTIONS
If you are adopting a child, you have probably waited many months or even years to file the adoption. If it’s an adoption of a child in DHHR custody, my office will have the petition ready to file within a week from when we receive the paperwork from DHHR. We understand how precious time is when you’ve already waited this long!
CONTESTED PROBATE MATTERS
If you’ve lost a loved one, few things are worse than having to fight over who receives their money and property. We will do our best to help you resolve the dispute as quickly as possible. I possess substantial experience in litigating Will contests and similar issues that arise in probate cases.
CHILD ABUSE CASES
If you are a foster parent, relative placement or someone whose life has been touched by child abuse, let us help you navigate the maze of court proceedings involved when a child is placed in DHHR custody.
QUIET TITLE SUITS
If someone else claims to own all or part of your land, or has filed a questionable lien against your land, we may be able to help by filing a suit to “quiet the title” to your property in Circuit Court. My experience also includes successfully obtaining title to land for clients through adverse possession.
FAMILY COURT
I represent men and women of all ages in divorce, custody, child support and custody modification disputes. I also handle appeals of these cases to the West Virginia Intermediate Court of Appeals.
APPEALS
I have handled numerous appeals to the West Virginia Supreme Court and the West Virginia Intermediate Court of Appeals. Several of my cases have made new law in West Virginia and I am admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court. This is a very specialized area of the law which requires an in-depth understanding of the Rules surrounding trials and appeals.
PERSONAL INJURY
I’m one of the few attorneys you’ll meet who has tried a wrongful death case to a jury verdict and obtained a verdict of over $1 million. If you’ve been injured through someone else’s negligence, let us help you sort through your options.
OUR ATTORNEY
Meet Leah R. Chappell, an accomplished legal professional with deep roots in West Virginia. Born in Huntington and raised in the shadows of the iconic New River Gorge Bridge, my journey in the legal field has been a testament to the twists and turns life can take.
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Though my initial passion was for veterinary medicine, a pivotal senior-year Agricultural Law class at Virginia Tech altered my course. In 1987, I redirected my ambitions, enrolling in the WVU College of Law. Graduating in 1990, I commenced my legal career in Berkeley Springs and was eventually elected Morgan County Prosecuting Attorney in 1992, succeeding Charles S. Trump, IV.
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Over the next eight years, I held positions as Morgan County Assistant Prosecutor, Morgan County Prosecutor, and Jackson County Assistant Prosecutor, gaining invaluable experience and honing my skills in the legal arena. In 2000, I ventured into private practice in Jackson County, representing a diverse range of clients in trial and appellate cases across the state for the past 23 years.
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Family has always been my anchor. My parents, fixtures in the Myrtle Beach social scene, continue to be my pillars of support in their 80’s. My two sons, Anthony and Mychal, have charted their own courses in the business world, showcasing their unique talents and achievements. Witnessing their success is a constant source of pride and gratitude.
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As life comes full circle, I am excited to return to the eastern panhandle, where my legal journey began. With a wealth of experience and a commitment to justice, I eagerly anticipate continuing my career in this vibrant part of the state. Join me in this next chapter, where my passion for the law meets the rich tapestry of West Virginia's legal landscape.
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