Practice Areas
Education
J.D., Tulane University (1989)
- Justice, Tulane Moot Court Board of Review
- Second Place Oralist, Jessup International Moot Court
- Inns of Court
M.B.A., University of New Orleans (1985)
B.S., Chemistry, Aligarh Muslim University, India (1982)
Admissions
- Supreme Court of the United States
- Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia
- Kentucky Supreme Court
- U.S. District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of West Virginia
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
Primarily a civil litigator, Fazal Shere has handled complex toxic tort class actions, mass tort actions, deliberate intent, products liability, personal injury and West Virginia Consumer and Credit Protection Act matters. He is currently handling a nationwide opioid litigation for a major pharmaceutical company.
Fazal also practices environmental law, with an emphasis on CERCLA, RCRA and negotiating favorable oversight review with the EPA and West Virginia DEP. With more than 20 years of active practice, he can help navigate his clients’ needs in litigation and environmental law. He has successfully represented a wide range of West Virginia and national companies, including R.J. Reynolds, Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc., McNeil Inc., Schering-Plough, Manitowoc, Inc., Sto Corp., Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, Allstate Insurance Company, State Farm Insurance Company, Encompass Insurance Company, Sears, Roebuck & Co., Wells Fargo, Merrill Lynch, Friedman’s Inc., Engelhard Corp., McJunkin Corp., Williams Union Boiler, Huntington Banks and Cross-Country Bank.
He is fluent in the languages of Hindi and Urdu.
Professional Highlights
- Nationwide opioid litigation for major pharmaceutical company
- Represented a chemical company in one of West Virginia's largest toxic tort class actions and ensuing class action settlement, and subsequent success on appeal to United States Supreme Court
- Obtained defense verdict in a large multidistrict litigation panel product liability case
- Obtained multiple summary judgments or dismissals in matters involving statute of limitations, deliberate intent and personal injury cases in state and federal courts
- Obtained favorable settlements for plaintiffs in cases of human rights violations and breach of contract
- Represented clients in US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) disputes, West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WV DEP) matters, and lender liability for underground storage tanks
- Obtained reversal by the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals on a federal sentencing guidelines criminal defense matter, represented pro bono
- Successfully defended multiple West Virginia Consumer Credit and Protection Act cases brought by Attorney General
News
Presentations & Events
- Fazal is a frequent CLE speaker on law and medicine and federal and state litigation matters. In 2014, he presented a seminar on toxic torts at Canaan Valley, West Virginia and on RCRA/CERCLA at the American Chemical Society meeting in Dallas, Texas.
Articles & Alerts
- The Bend in the RoadDefense Trial Counsel of WV, July 16, 2019
- March 31, 2016
- A 2015 Legislative RecapNovember 19, 2015
- "The Dose Makes the Poison," by Fazal A. ShereMountain State Manufacturing Magazine, Spring 2012
Views & Visions
- Celebrate Diversity: A Snapshot of Our Region's Opportunities and ChallengesFall 2011
- Mold Litigation: A Growing IssueCounselors and the CourtroomFall 2003
- The Changing Toxic Tort Litigation Landscape in West VirginiaWinter 2002
- The Internet Gets First Amendment ProtectionFall 1997
- The Duty to Instruct and Warn in Products LiabilityFall 1994
Professional Affiliations
- American Bar Association
- Kentucky Bar Association
- Kanawha County Bar Association
Community/Civic Activities
- Board of Directors, West Virginia Defense Trial Counsel (2019-present)
- Board of Directors, Schoenbaum Family Enrichment Center, Charleston, West Virginia (2019-present)
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Muslim Public Affairs Council (2013-present)
- Panelist, "Should U.S. Intervene in Syria?", Cafe a la Fiqr, Charleston, West Virginia (2013)
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Kanawha County Library (Fundraising Committee, 2011)
- Kanawha Pastoral Counseling Center (Past President Board of Directors, 2009-2010)
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Leadership West Virginia (2002)
- United Way (Fund Distribution Committee, 1990)
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Leadership Charleston (1998)