"combined experience of over 130 years."
Meet The Team At Higinbotham & Higinbotham, PLLC
forrest a. bowen
- Read Forrest's Bio
Experience and continuity are the keys to a superbly strong support staff at Higinbotham. In total, the attorneys have a combined experience level of almost 125 years in handling injury claims and the staff is not for behind. With this experience level, every Higinbotham client is assured quality service.
Forrest A. Bowen, who also goes by “Andy,” is a partner at Higinbotham & Higinbotham. Andy received his undergraduate degree from Marshall University, where he graduated cum laude in 1993. He was a member of the Marshall Thundering Herd football and track teams and held the kick for the game winning field goal in Marshall’s 1992 1-AA National Football Championship.
Andy graduated from the West Virginia University College of Law in 1997. He was named the top student in both Appellate Advocacy and Civil Procedure and he won two separate CALI Excellence For The Future Awards. He also was a member of the Clinical Law Practice and several other academic/social organizations.
Andy began practicing law in a small firm in Bridgeport, West Virginia in 1997. At that time his practice consisted of a variety of practice areas primarily focusing on personal injury and family law. Additionally, he practiced in numerous other areas including criminal law, business law, West Virginia Court of Claims, contract disputes, as well as other areas of general litigation. Andy quickly became a partner in the firm. Over the years the firm became much larger. Andy remained at that firm until June of 2009 when he was asked to join Higinbotham & Higinbotham.
For over twenty two years now, Andy has practiced all over the State of West Virginia in State and Federal Courts, including in the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals and the West
Virginia Court of Claims. He also practices in Federal Court. Just recently, Andy and Pete filed a case in the United States Supreme Court. Andy’s practice continues to primarily focus on personal injury. However, as he has always done, he frequently ventures into other practice areas when he believes he can make a difference. Those areas include business law, including buying and selling of businesses, family law, and general litigation matters. Andy is also a mediator, mediating civil cases.
Andy is a huge sports fan who not only enjoys playing sports, but also coaching over the years. Andy coached youth football, baseball, basketball and soccer in Bridgeport where he and his family reside. He has served on numerous boards and committees, including, Bridgeport Little League Board and the All Sports Boosters Board at Bridgeport High School. However, Andy’s favorite thing to do is spend time with his family.
Andy was recently named as one of the Top 100 trial lawyers in the United States. He is on the Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee for the West Virginia State Bar. Andy is also a member of the Marion County Bar Associates, the West Virginia State Bar, the American Bar Association, the West Virginia Association for Justice and the American Association of Justice.
sean j. sawyer
- Read Sean's Bio
Sean is a Morgantown native that now resides near his parents and two brothers along with his Julie and their five children, Christopher, Chase, Ryan, Nicholas and Corinne. Formerly a professional trumpet player, Sean has also been a lifelong motorcycle rider and enthusiast. Not only has the practice of law given him an opportunity to assist fellow bikers when involved in collisions, Sean was invited to bring his passion and legal abilities to the table in 2004 as one of the founding members of the MountainFest Motorcycle Rally held annually in July in Morgantown, West Virginia. Here he was a member of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee and served as Entertainment Coordinator and General Counsel until 2008. Sean continues to be involved with MountainFest, and routinely volunteers a tremendous amount of his time throughout the community as President-Elect of the Fairmont Rotary Club and Secretary-Treasurer of his local Neighborhood Watch Association. He also routinely performs pro bono work for victims of domestic violence, certain area businesses and municipal public service districts.
Beginning in 1990, Sean attended Fairmont State University, during which time he served as National President of Alpha Phi Sigma, ultimately graduating cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice in 1994. He joined Higinbotham in May 1996 as a student clerk, went on to earn his law degree from the West Virginia University College of Law in 1997 where he was class Vice-President. He then became an Associate attorney in 1998, and ultimately was invited to become a Partner in the firm in January 2008.
Since becoming a member of the Higinbotham family, Sean has specialized in automobile, motorcycle, commercial vehicle and general traffic liability litigation, as well as general personal injury, premises liability and professional medical negligence. He is also one of three Higinbotham lawyers admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States of America. He has also appeared before the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals of the United States, the Northern and Southern United States District Courts of West Virginia, and the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia, as well as numerous local State courts primarily located in north central West Virginia.
Sean is a member of the Marion County Bar Association, the West Virginia State Bar, the American Bar Association, and the West Virginia Association for Justice, where he has served on its Board of Governors for over ten years. He is also a member of the American Association of Justice, where his continuing legal education involvement and accomplishments have earned him the status of Advocate with its National College of Advocacy.
forrest a. bowen
- Read Forrest's Bio
Experience and continuity are the keys to a superbly strong support staff at Higinbotham. In total, the attorneys have a combined experience level of almost 125 years in handling injury claims and the staff is not far behind. With this experience level, every Higinbotham client is assured quality service.
Forrest A. Bowen, who also goes by “Andy,” is a partner at Higinbotham & Higinbotham. Andy received his undergraduate degree from Marshall University, where he graduated cum laude in 1993. He was a member of the Marshall Thundering Herd football and track teams and held the kick for the game winning field goal in Marshall’s 1992 1-AA National Football Championship.
Andy graduated from the West Virginia University College of Law in 1997. He was named the top student in both Appellate Advocacy and Civil Procedure and he won two separate CALI Excellence For The Future Awards. He also was a member of the Clinical Law Practice and several other academic/social organizations.
Andy began practicing law in a small firm in Bridgeport, West Virginia in 1997. At that time his practice consisted of a variety of practice areas primarily focusing on personal injury and family law. Additionally, he practiced in numerous other areas including criminal law, business law, West Virginia Court of Claims, contract disputes, as well as other areas of general litigation. Andy quickly became a partner in the firm. Over the years the firm became much larger. Andy remained at that firm until June of 2009 when he was asked to join Higinbotham & Higinbotham.
For over twenty two years now, Andy has practiced all over the State of West Virginia in State and Federal Courts, including in the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals and the West Virginia Court of Claims. He also practices in Federal Court. Just recently, Andy and Pete filed
a case in the United States Supreme Court. Andy’s practice continues to primarily focus on personal injury. However, as he has always done, he frequently ventures into other practice areas when he believes he can make a difference. Those areas include business law, including buying and selling of businesses, family law, and general litigation matters. Andy is also a mediator, mediating civil cases.
Andy is a huge sports fan who not only enjoys playing sports, but also coaching over the years. Andy coached youth football, baseball, basketball and soccer in Bridgeport where he and his family reside. He has served on numerous boards and committees, including, Bridgeport Little League Board and the All Sports Boosters Board at Bridgeport High School. However, Andy’s favorite thing to do is spend time with his family.
Andy was recently named as one of the Top 100 trial lawyers in the United States. He is on the Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee for the West Virginia State Bar. Andy is also a member of the Marion County Bar Associates, the West Virginia State Bar, the American Bar Association, the West Virginia Association for Justice and the American Association of Justice.
sean j. sawyer
- Read Sean's Bio
Sean is a Morgantown native that now resides near his parents and two brothers along with his wife, Julie, and their five children, Christopher, Chase, Ryan, Nicholas and Corinne.
Formerly a professional trumpet player, Sean is most proud of his routine volunteering throughout the local, State, and international communities as 2020-21 District Governor of Rotary International District 7545 (WV), active member of the Fairmont Rotary Club, and Secretary-Treasurer of his local Neighborhood Watch Association. He also routinely performs pro bono work for victims of domestic violence, certain area businesses and municipal public service districts.
Beginning in 1990, Sean attended Fairmont State University, during which time he served as National President of Alpha Phi Sigma, the national criminal justice honor society, ultimately graduating with honors in 1994 with a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. He joined the Higinbotham firm in May 1996 as a student clerk, and went on to earn his law degree from the West Virginia University College of Law in 1997 where he served as class Vice-President. He then became an Associate attorney at Higinbotham in 1998, elevated to Partner in the firm in January 2008, and co-owner as of 2011.
Since becoming a member of the Higinbotham family, Sean has specialized in automobile, motorcycle, commercial vehicle and general traffic liability litigation, as well as general personal injury, premises liability and professional medical negligence. He is also one of few lawyers admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States of America. He has also appeared before the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals of the United States, the Northern and Southern United States District Courts of West Virginia, and the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia, as well as numerous local State courts primarily located in north central West Virginia.
Sean is a member of the Marion County Bar Association, the West Virginia State Bar, the American Bar Association, and the West Virginia Association for Justice, where he has served on its Board of Governors for nearly twenty years. He is also a member of the American Association of Justice, where his continuing legal education involvement and accomplishments have earned him the status of Advocate with its National College of Advocacy.
jo marie pitrolo
- Read Jo Marie's Bio
Jo Marie Pitrolo is a Fairmont native. She graduated in 1981 from West Virginia University with a B.S.B.A. degree in Finance and graduated in 1984 from the West Virginia University College of Law.
While attending law school, she was a member of the Marlyn E. Lugar Trial Association and was the Research Editor of the West Virginia Law Review. Also, while attending law school, Jo Marie was a law clerk for Furbee, Amos, Webb & Critchfield and concentrated on property and title work. She clerked for the City Attorney of Fairmont and appeared regularly in Municipal Court.
Upon graduating from law school, Jo Marie joined Higinbotham & Higinbotham in 1984. Early in her career, she served as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney. She prosecuted various matters in Marion County and tried many criminal cases including burglaries, drunk driving and child sexual assault. She also represented the Marion County Board of Education in personnel and special education matters as well as in construction litigation. As an assistant prosecuting attorney, she also represented the County Commission.
Jo Marie’s practice now concentrates on personal injury litigation, particularly motor vehicle collisions and insurance matters.
She has been involved in many civic organizations and has served on the various boards including the Hope Domestic Violence Center of Marion County; Ronald McDonald House Charities in Morgantown, WV, Fairmont Renaissance, Fairmont Rotary Club, the Marion County Chamber of Commerce and the West Virginia Auto and Truck Dealers Association where she served as President. She is a former officer of the Marion County Bar Association and is a member of the West Virginia State Bar; the American Bar Association, the West Virginia Association for Justice and the American Association for Justice. She is admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia and the Northern and Southern District Courts of West Virginia.
In her free time, Jo Marie enjoys tennis, golf and snow skiing.
jo marie pitrolo
- Read Jo Marie's Bio
Jo Marie Pitrolo is a Fairmont native. She graduated in 1981 from West Virginia University with a B.S.B.A. degree in Finance and graduated in 1984 from the West Virginia University College of Law.
While attending law school, she was a member of the Marlyn E. Lugar Trial Association and was the Research Editor of the West Virginia Law Review. Also, while attending law school, Jo Marie was a law clerk for Furbee, Amos, Webb & Critchfield and concentrated on property and title work. She clerked for the City Attorney of Fairmont and appeared regularly in Municipal Court.
Upon graduating from law school, Jo Marie joined Higinbotham & Higinbotham in 1984. Early in her career, she served as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney. She prosecuted various matters in Marion County and tried many criminal cases including burglaries, drunk driving and child sexual assault. She also represented the Marion County Board of Education in personnel and special education matters as well as in construction litigation. As an assistant prosecuting attorney, she also represented the County Commission.
Jo Marie’s practice now concentrates on personal injury litigation, particularly motor vehicle collisions and insurance matters.
She has been involved in many civic organizations and has served on the various boards including the Hope Domestic Violence Center of Marion County; Ronald McDonald House Charities in Morgantown, WV, Fairmont Renaissance, Fairmont Rotary Club, the Marion County Chamber of Commerce and the West Virginia Auto and Truck Dealers Association where she served as President. She is a former officer of the Marion County Bar Association and is a member of the West Virginia State Bar; the American Bar Association, the West Virginia Association for Justice and the American Association for Justice. She is admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia and the Northern and Southern District Courts of West Virginia.
In her free time, Jo Marie enjoys tennis, golf and snow skiing.
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Fairmont, West Virginia 26554
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