J. Mark Adkins

Mark Adkins focuses his practice primarily on complex, high-risk commercial litigation in the areas of construction, energy, commercial contract disputes, and banking.

With more than two decades of representative experience in litigation work, including numerous tried-to-verdict jury trials, Mark is well positioned to assist clients in the arena of high-risk, "bet-the-company" matters.

Mark has significant experience in multi-million-dollar construction litigation matters involving commercial, retail, and public construction projects. He also represents clients in matters involving leasing issues, contracts, and property rights related to coal and natural gas. In addition, Mark handles a wide range of commercial contract disputes and represents banks, lenders, and debt collectors in matters involving banking and consumer litigation issues.

In addition to his vast litigation experience, Mark is a member of the Bowles Rice Government Relations group. As a registered lobbyist, he regularly works with members of the West Virginia Legislature and administration on behalf of the firm's clients. Mark served as staff counsel to the West Virginia House of Delegates Judiciary Committee during the 2015 Legislative Session.

Mark has been recognized with an AV-rating by Martindale-Hubbell. Additionally, he has been recognized by Chambers USA: America’s Leading Business Lawyers (litigation: general commercial);The Best Lawyers in America ^® in commercial litigation law, litigation/banking & finance and litigation/construction; by Super Lawyers in the area of business litigation; and by Benchmark Litigation in general litigation.

Representative experience:

• Represented corporate land owner in successful termination of a mineral lessee which resulted in obtaining a large monetary award as a result of mineral lease.
• Represented bank in multi-million dollar insurance coverage dispute, regarding claim for damages resulting from fraudulently secured loans.
• Represented engineering company in multi-million dollar construction litigation involving foundation/compaction soil issues.
• Represented oil and natural gas production companies in West Virginia and Pennsylvania regarding leasing rights.
• Represented state agency in multi-million dollar construction dispute regarding a northern West Virginia facility.
• Represented numerous banks and non-traditional lending companies throughout West Virginia in civil actions asserting claims to the West Virginia Consumer Credit and Protection Act (WVCCPA).
• Represented county boards of education in multi-million dollar construction litigation matters involving delay damages, workmanship damages and liquidation damages.
• Defended bank in multi-million dollar litigation involving real estate development dispute.

• Chief Financial Officer (2024-present)
• Chairman, Bowles Rice Litigation Department
• Member, Bowles Rice AI Steering Committee
• Former member, Bowles Rice Executive Committee 
• Former chair, Bowles Rice IT Department (2023-2024)
• Former chairman, West Virginia State Bar Legal Outreach Committee
• Past president, Young Lawyers Section, West Virginia Bar Association
• Past officer, Kanawha County Bar Association
• Per Diem Staff Counsel, West Virginia House of Delegates Judiciary Committee, 2015 Legislative Session

Representative Decisions:

• CM Energy Properties LP, Big Huff Minerals LLC, and Big Huff Timberlands LLC v. Appalachian Power Company, Case No. CC-55-2023-C-37 (Wyo. Cir. Ct. 2026) (obtained recovery of approximately $75.1 million in a breach of contract and easement dispute regarding mining operations.)
• G.T. et al. v. Bd. of Educ. of the Cnty. of Kanawha, 117 F.4th 193 (4th Cir. 2024) (defense of putative class action challenging quality of special education policies)

• DLB Enterprises LLC v. Kanawha Stone Company, Inc., Case No. 22-cv-46 (S.D. W. Va.) (obtained judgment in excess of $1.8 million following a 23 day multi-party arbitration on competing claims for breach of contract and wrongful termination concerning a $50 million infrastructure project involving two bridges.)

• Blankenship v. Trump, Jr., No. 2:19-cv-00549 (S.D. W. Va. 2023)
• The County Commission of Fayette County, West Virginia, et al., v. Quercus West Virginia LLC and Pardee and Curtin Realty LLC., No. 2:21-cv-00307 (S.D. W. Va. 2023)
• Reed v. Collins, No. 18-0009 (W. Va. 2018), unpublished
• State ex rel. Blankenship v. Warner, No. 18-0712 (W. Va. 2018)
• State ex rel. Biafore v. Tomblin, 782 S.E. 2d 223 (W. Va. 2016)
• W. Virginia Inv. Mgmt. Bd. v. Variable Annuity Life Ins. Co., 234 W. Va. 469, 766 S.E.2d 416 (2014);
• State ex rel. McDavid v. Tennant et al., No. 14-0939 (W.Va. Supreme Court, Oct. 1, 2014)(memorandum decision);
• W.W. McDonald Land Co. v. EQT Prod. Co., No. 2:11-CV-00418, 2014 WL 4063870 (S.D.W. Va. Aug. 14, 2014);
• Rufus et al. v. The Greenbrier Sporting Club Development Co., Inc. et al., No. 13-0218, 2013 WL 5966996 (W.Va. Supreme Court, November 8, 2013) (memorandum decision);
• Morton v. Unknown Heirs of Van Camp , 221 W. Va. 299; 654 S.E. 2d 621, (2007);
• Thaxton v. Novastar Mortg. , 2:05-0858, 2006 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 21912, (2006);
• State ex rel. Blackhawk Enters. V. Bloom, 219 W.Va. 333; 633 S.E. 2d 278 (2006);
• Estate of Tawney v. Columbia Natural Res., LLC , 219 W. Va. 266; 633 S.E. 2d 22; (2006);
• Wood v. Acordia of West Virginia, Inc., 217 W. Va. 406; 618 S.E. 2d 415 (2005); and
• Dunn v. Watson, 211 W. Va. 418; 566 S.E.2d.305 (2002).

• Recognized by Forbes Best-in-State Lawyers (Commercial Litigation)
• Ranked by Chambers USA: America's Leading Business Lawyers (Litigation: General Commercial), since 2022
• Named Best Lawyers’ 2019 Litigation - Banking and Finance Lawyer of the Year in the southern West Virginia region
• Named to The Best Lawyers in America (Commercial Litigation Law; Litigation - Banking & Finance; Litigation - Construction; and Government Relations Practice), since 2011
• Peer-Review Rated AV by Martindale-Hubbell
• Selected to the West Virginia Super Lawyers list, since 2012
• Selected to the West Virginia Rising Stars list by Super Lawyers, 2007 - 2008, 2010 - 2011
• Named a 2020 “State Litigation Star” in General Commercial, Construction, Trust and Estate by Benchmark Litigation

• Republican National Lawyers Association (Chair, West Virginia Chapter)
• Energy & Mineral Law Foundation (Board member, Trustees at Large)
• Associated Builders and Contractors of West Virginia (ABCWV)
• The Trial Network