BRIDGEPORT, W.VA. / AGILITYPR.NEWS / August 20, 2026 / Best Lawyers® has named 16 Steptoe & Johnson PLLC attorneys as “Lawyer of the Year” for 2027 in various practices and regions across the firm. The award highlights an attorney in each practice area and designated metropolitan area for outstanding legal work and highest overall peer feedback. Listed below are the attorneys who were awarded this recognition:

Charleston Metropolitan Area

Armando F. Benincasa

• Environmental Law

Bryan R. Cokeley

• Employment Law – Management

Sharon O. Flanery

• Energy Regulatory Law

Kurt L. Krieger

• Administrative / Regulatory Law

Alexandria D. Lay

• Natural Resources Law

Christopher L. Slaughter

• Litigation – Labor and Employment

John C. Stump

• Project Finance Law

Louisville Metropolitan Area

Craig L. Johnson

• Professional Malpractice Law – Defendants 

Jim Newberry

• Education Law

Morgantown Metropolitan Area

Michael W. Barill

• Trusts and Estates

Rodney L. Bean

• Litigation – Labor and Employment

Tracey B. Eberling

• Workers’ Compensation Law – Employers

Brian D. Gallagher

• Real Estate Law

Randall C. Light

• Banking and Finance Law

John R. Merinar, Jr.

• Labor Law – Management

San Antonio Metropolitan Area

Marty Truss

• Oil and Gas Law