Practice Areas
Education
J.D., West Virginia University College of Law (1992)
B.A., West Virginia University (1989)
Admissions
- Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia
- U.S. District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of West Virginia
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
Kimberly S. Croyle
Kim’s practice focuses on representing boards of education throughout the State of West Virginia. She does what she does so that boards of education can do what they do best — make a difference in the life of a child. Whether it is formulating policies and providing in-service training to faculty and staff, or offering advice and guidance to school boards throughout the state on education law issues, including bullying and harassment, OCR investigations and reviews; special education issues (IDEA), §504 accommodations, personnel matters, Title IX, FERPA, Title VII, the ADA and general school laws, Kim devotes her practice to guiding boards of education and administrators through the myriad of laws and regulations they face.
She appears on behalf of her clients before the West Virginia Public Employees Grievance Board; at due process hearings and mediations; in state and federal court; and before the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia. Kim interacts regularly with the West Virginia State Department of Education and federal agencies, such as the Office for Civil Rights and the EEOC, on behalf of local boards of education.
Kim has been named to The Best Lawyers in America ® (Education Law) from 2013 to the present and was recognized as Best Lawyers' Education Law Lawyer of the Year in the northern West Virginia region (2015, 2013). She has been interviewed by the National Law Journal and The Washington Post regarding Harassment and Bullying, and has been published by the American Association of School Administrators; Leadership Insider: Practical Perspectives on School Law & Policy; and the National School Boards Association. She frequently offers insight and guidance to the Special Ed Connection, a publication devoted to issues involving the education of children with special needs. She was named to the 2021 class of the West Virginia Bar Foundation Fellows.
Kim is actively involved with Bowles Rice Partner in Education – Eastwood Elementary School in Morgantown, West Virginia. When she is not working, you will most likely find her in the stands, cheering on her favorite players.
Professional Highlights
- Bowles Rice Department Chair
- Group Leader, Bowles Rice Education Law Group
- Former Bowles Rice Executive Committee Member
- Former Bowles Rice Human Resources Committee Chair
- Former Bowles Rice Recruiting Chair
- Trained facilitator
Published Opinions
- Ragione v. The Board of Education of Preston County, 2018 WL 300576 (2018) (litigating unappealed employee grievance)
- Terra Firma Co. v. Morgan, 223 W. Va. 329, 674 S.E.2d 190 (2008) (Represented Terra Firma Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Consol Energy, Inc., in litigation involving principal/agency relationships and real property transactions.)
- City of Benwood v. Bd. of Educ., 212 W. Va. 436, 573 S.E.2d 347 (2002) (Represented the Board of Education of the County of Marshall in litigation involving the contested closure and consolidation of schools.)
- Board of Educ. of County of Randolph v. Scott, 217 W. Va. 128, 617 S.E.2d 478 (2005) (Represented Board of Education of the County of Randolph in litigation involving posting and filling a service personnel position.)
- Flint v. Board of Educ. of County of Harrison, 207 W. Va. 251, 531 S.E.2d 76 (1999) (Represented the Board of Education of the County of Harrison in litigation regarding uniformity of pay for certain classifications of employees.)
- Pendleton Citizens for Community Schools v. Marockie, 203 W. Va. 310, 507 S.E.2d 673 (1998) (Represented the Board of Education of the County of Pendleton in litigation involving the contested closure and consolidation of schools.)
- Karr v. Board of Educ. of County of Jackson, 203 W. Va. 100, 506 S.E.2d 355 (1998) (Represented the Board of Education of the County of Jackson in litigation involving filling professional position.)
- Grove v. Maheswaran, 201 W. Va. 502, 498 S.E.2d 485 (1997) (Represented doctor in medical malpractice litigation.)
- Williamson v. Greene, 200 W. Va. 421, 490 S.E.2d 23 (1997) (Represented supervisor in litigation involving harassment under the West Virginia Human Rights Act.)
- Leake v. Shreve v. Berkeley County Bd. of Educ., 965 F. Supp. 838 (D.C.N.D. W. Va. 1997) (Represented the Board of Education of the County of Berkeley in litigation involving special needs student, provision of services, and statute of limitations.)
- Richardson v. Kennedy, 197 W. Va. 326, 475 S.E.2d 418 (1996) (Represented doctor in medical malpractice/wrongful death litigation.)
- Ronnie Lee S. v. Mingo County Bd. of Educ., 201 W. Va. 667, 480 S.E.2d 801 (1996) (Represented the Board of Education of the County of Mingo in litigation involving student with special needs.)
- Conrad v. ARA Szabo, 198 W. Va. 362, 480 S.E.2d 801 (1996) (Represented West Virginia Regional Jail and Correctional Facility Authority and Edward Rudloff in litigation involving harassment under the West Virginia Human Rights Act.)
- Yourtee v. Hubbard, 196 W. Va. 683, 474 S.E.2d 613 (1996) (Represented individual in litigation involving wrongful death/foreseeability.)
- Pratt v. Pratt, 197 W. Va. 102, 475 S.E.2d 102 (1996) (Represented individual in division of marital property.)
- Pratt v. Pratt, 193 W. Va. 106, 454 S.E.2d 400 (1994) (Represented individual in characterization of property as marital or separate property.)
Honors
News
- August 28, 2024
- August 17, 2023
- June 5, 2023
- August 18, 2022
- February 11, 2021
- Best Lawyers in America®, August 20, 2020
- August 15, 2019
- Interview on Cyber-BullyingThe Washington Post, January 1, 2009
- Interview on Cyber-BullyingCQ Researcher, May 2, 2008
Presentations & Events
- Presentation: An Important Legal Update with an Emphasis on “Personnel Season” by Kayla Cook, Kimberly S. Croyle, Trey Morrone, Howard Seufer, Jr., and Leigh Anne WilsonWest Virginia Executive Secretaries Association: Winter ConferenceCharleston Marriott Town Center, Charleston, West Virginia, February 9, 2024
- Presentation: Legal Insights Unveiled: Interactive Question and Answer Session Addressing Your Burning Questions by Richard S. Boothby, Kimberly S. Croyle, Trey Morrone, and Howard Seufer, Jr.West Virginia School Board Association: Winter ConferenceCharleston Marriott Town Center, Charleston, West Virginia, February 9, 2024
- Presentation: Navigating the Federal Funding Cliff through Personnel Season by Kimberly S. Croyle and Howard Seufer, Jr.West Virginia Association of School Administrators: Winter ConferenceRobert H. Mollohan Research Center, Fairmont, West Virginia, January 26, 2024
- Presentation: Legal Insights Unveiled: Interactive Q&A Session Addressing Your Burning Questions by Richard S. Boothby, Joshua A. Cottle, Kimberly S. Croyle, Trey Morrone and Howard Seufer, Jr.West Virginia School Board Association: Fall ConferenceCharleston Marriott Town Center, Charleston, West Virginia, September 9, 2023
- Presentation: Intricacies of Planning for an Effective Board of Education Meeting and An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure – Did You Know by Kimberly S. Croyle and Howard Seufer, Jr.West Virginia School Board Association Meeting of Incoming Superintendents and Their Board PresidentsStonewall Resort & Conference Center, Roanoke, West Virginia, July 10, 2023
- Presentation: Legal and Legislative Updates by Kimberly S. Croyle and Howard Seufer, Jr.West Virginia Association of School Human Resource Officials Regional MeetingBerkeley County Board of Education, Martinsburg, West Virginia, April 24, 2023
- Presentation: 10 Professional Development Resolutions to Keep in 2023 by Kimberly S. Croyle and Howard Seufer, Jr.West Virginia School Board of Association: Winter ConferenceCharleston Marriott Town Center, Charleston, West Virginia, February 17, 2023
- Presentation: Investigating and Responding to Suspected Employee Misconduct and Inappropriate Use of Social Media by Employees and Students by Kimberly S. Croyle, Trey Morrone, and Howard Seufer, Jr.West Virginia Association School Administrators: Winter ConferenceWV High Tech Consortium, Fairmont, West Virginia, January 27, 2023
- Presentation: Legal Red Flag Issues that Impact the Board’s Bottom Line by Kim CroyleWest Virginia Association of School Business Officials: Fall ConferenceCamp Dawson Event Center, Kingwood, West Virginia, October 20, 2022
- Presentation: Lights, Camera, Action by Kim CroyleWest Virginia Council of Administrators of Special Education: Fall ConferenceStonewall Resort, Roanoke, West Virginia, October 19, 2022
- Presentation: Welcome to the World of West Virginia School Law! by Kimberly Croyle and Howard Seufer, Jr.West Virginia School Board Association: 2022 New Board Member OrientationCanaan Valley Resort & Conference Center, Davis, West Virginia, June 24, 2022
- Presentation: First Look: How Legislation from the 2022 Regular Session May Affect You and Your School District by Kimberly Croyle and Kayla CookWest Virginia School Board Association Regional MeetingThe County In, Berkeley Springs, West Virginia, May 12, 2022
- Presentation: First Look: How Legislation from the 2022 Regular Session May Affect You and Your School District by Josh Cottle and Kimberly CroyleWest Virginia School Board Association: Regional MeetingSummersville Arena & Conference Center, Summersville, West Virginia, April 7, 2022
- Presentation: Everything You Need to Know About Difficult Board Meetings, You Already Learned in Kindergarten by Kayla Cook, Kim Croyle, Trey Morrone and Howard Seufer, Jr.West Virginia Association of School Administrators: Mid-Year ConferenceWV High Tech Consortium, Fairmont, West Virginia, January 28, 2022
- Presentation: What a Difference 2 Years Makes! Legal Update for School Human Resource Officers by Kimberly S. Croyle, Trey Morrone, and Howard Seufer, Jr.West Virginia Association of School Human Resource OfficersNew River Technical and Community College, Greenbrier Valley Campus, Lewisburg, West Virginia, December 8, 2021
- Presentation: Taking Title IX Personally: Tips and TrIX for Personnel Directors when Title IX Complaints Involve Employees by Kimberly S. Croyle and Trey MorroneWest Virginia Association of School Human Resource OfficersNew River Technical and Community College, Greenbrier Valley Campus, Lewisburg, West Virginia, December 8, 2021
- Presentation: Legal Update, Vendor Contracts, COVID Leave, and Independent Contractors by Joshua A. Cottle, Kimberly S. Croyle, Trey Morrone and Howard Seufer, Jr.West Virginia Association of School Business Officials: Fall ConferenceCabell County Board of Education Transportation Complex, Lesage, West Virginia, October 22, 2021
- Presentation: School’s in Session (legal update) by Richard S. Boothby and Kimberly S. CroyleWest Virginia Council of Administrators of Special Education: Fall ConferenceStonewall Resort, Roanoke, West Virginia, October 1, 2021
- Presentation: Crisis, Controversy and Communication: A Guide to Keeping the Board and its Members Afloat When Navigating the Stormy C’s by Kayla Cook, Kimberly S. Croyle, Trey Morrone and Howard Seufer, Jr.West Virginia School Board Association: Fall ConferenceCharleston Marriott Town Center, Charleston, West Virginia, September 10, 2021
- Presentation: Contributing to Your Excellence: Legal Issues and Best Practices for Executive Secretaries in School Year 2021-2022 by Kayla Cook, Kimberly S. Croyle, Trey Morrone and Howard Seufer, Jr.West Virginia Executive Secretaries Association: Fall ConferenceCharleston Marriott Town Center, Charleston, West Virginia, September 10, 2021
- Presentation: To Post or not to Post, That is the Question by Kayla Cook and Kimberly S. CroyleBrooke County Schools, August 16, 2021
- Presentation: A Tale of 2 T-Shirts: Student Expression and Dress Code Issues by Kimberly S. CroyleHardy County Schools, August 2, 2021
- Presentation: Understanding FMLA and Leave in West Virginia by Kimberly S. CroyleMineral County Schools, July 21, 2021
- Presentation: 2021 Highlights of Education Related Legislation by Kayla Cook and Kimberly S. CroyleWest Virginia School Board Association: Regional MeetingOglebay Resort & Conference Center, Wheeling, June 24, 2021
- Event: National School Board Association Title IX Focus Group, Kimberly S. CroylePart of national focus group on Title IX issuesJune 23, 2021
- Presentation: 2021 Highlights of Education Related Legislation by Kayla Cook and Kimberly S. CroyleWest Virginia School Board Association: Regional MeetingSouth Branch Inn, Moorefield, West Virginia, June 17, 2021
- Presentation: 2021 Highlights of Education Related Legislation by Kimberly S. Croyle and Kayla CookBridgeport Conference Center, Bridgeport, West Virginia, June 10, 2021
- Presentation: School Board Meeting Agendas Under the Open Meetings Act by Kimberly S. CroyleWest Virginia School Board Association training for the Berkeley County Board of Education Virtual MeetingJune 10, 2021
- Presentation: 2021 Highlights of Education Related Legislation by Kimberly S. Croyle and Kayla CookWest Virginia School Board Association: Regional MeetingCanaan Valley Resort and Conference Center, Davis, West Virginia, June 3, 2021
- Presentation: The Pains of Payroll by Kimberly S. Croyle and Trey MorroneWest Virginia Association of School Business Officials: Spring ConferenceConference Tracker, Virtual Meeting, May 13, 2021
- Presentation: 2021 Highlights of Education Related Legislation by Joshua A. Cottle, Kimberly S. Croyle, Trey Morrone and Howard Seufer, Jr.West Virginia Association of School Business Officials: Spring ConferenceConference Tracker, Virtual Meeting, May 13, 2021
- Presentation: 2021 Highlights of Education Related Legislation by Kimberly S. CroyleWest Virginia School Board Association: Regional MeetingHoliday Inn, Martinsburg, West Virginia, April 27, 2021
- Presentation: Interviewing Prospective Employees by Kimberly S. Croyle, Trey Morrone and Howard Seufer, Jr.West Virginia Association of School Administrators: Mid-Year ConferenceWV High Tech Consortium, Fairmont, West Virginia, April 15, 2021
- Presentation: 2021 Highlights of Education Related Legislation by Kimberly S. Croyle and Kayla CookOglebay Resort, Wheeling, West Virginia, January 24, 2021
- Presentation: Oh Really? That’s Great! Four Simple Words and Some Simple Rules About Personnel that all Special Education Directors Should Know by Kimberly S. CroyleWest Virginia State Department of Education New Special Education Directors' TrainingJanuary 21, 2021
- Presentation: Rules of the Road: County Board Member Roles and Responsibilities by Kimberly Croyle and Howard Seufer, Jr.West Virginia School Board Association webinar for School Board MembersNetSolutions, September 25, 2020
- Presentation: It’s Dock Day Season! Hunting Down Dock Days & Other Misuses and Abuses of Leave Time by Richard S. Boothby, Kayla Cook, Josh Cottle, Kimberly Croyle, Trey Morrone and Howard Seufer, Jr.West Virginia Association of School Administrators – Winter ConferenceBridgeport Conference Center, Bridgeport, West Virginia, January 31, 2020
- Presentation: Empowering West Virginia’s School Districts: Developments from the Legislature’s 2019 Regular Session by Kimberly S. CroyleWest Virginia School Board Association: Regional MeetingCacapon Resort and Conference Center, Berkeley Springs, West Virginia, June 6, 2019
- Presentation: Empowering West Virginia’s School Districts: Developments from the Legislature’s 2019 Regular Session by Kimberly S. CroyleWest Virginia School Board Association: Regional MeetingOglebay Resort and Conference Center, Wheeling, West Virginia, May 21, 2019
- Presentation: Empowering West Virginia’s School Districts: Developments from the Legislature’s 2019 Regular Session by Kimberly S. CroyleWest Virginia School Board Association: Regional MeetingCanaan Valley Conference Center, Davis, West Virginia, April 25, 2019
- Presentation: West Virginia’s Freedom of Information Act by Richard S. Boothby, Joshua A. Cottle and Kimberly S. CroyleWest Virginia Executive Secretaries AssociationBowles Rice LLP, Charleston, West Virginia, February 15, 2019
- Presentation: Educating, Speculating, Instigating by Kimberly S. Croyle and Howard Seufer, Jr.West Virginia Association of School AdministratorsBridgeport Conference Center, Bridgeport, West Virginia, January 26, 2018
- Presentation: When 1 + 1 = IX: Making Title IX add up by Kimberly S. CroyleWest Virginia Association of School Business Officials: 2017 Spring ConferenceEmbassy Suites, Charleston, West Virginia, May 17, 2017
- Presentation: Everything You Wanted to Know About Real Property Law but Were Afraid to Ask (Or at Least the Things you Need to Know!), by Kimberly S. Croyle and C. Seth WilsonLunch & Learn for ClientSouthpointe Golf Club, May 2017
- Presentation: Ignorance of the Law is No Excuse!, by Kimberly S. Croyle and Rebecca M. TinderWV Association of School Business OfficialsCanaan Valley Resort State Park, Davis, West Virginia, October 14, 2016
- Kim is frequently called upon by clients and industry groups to provide educational seminars on such topics as: Title Defects; Mineral Severances and Mineral Reservations; Curative Issues and Litigation; Working with Local Governments; Rights-of-Way and Easements; Gaps, Gores and Strips; and Land Use and Government Ordinances.
- Presentation: Production Rights: An Overview of the HBP Lease in NY, OH, PA, and WV, by Kimberly S. CroyleAmerican Association of Professional Landmen (AAPL) Annual MeetingWashington, D.C., January 2013
- Interview: Cyber-bullyingThe Washington Post2009
- Interview: Cyber-bullyingThe National Law Journal2007
- Presenter13th Annual Education Law ConferencePortland, Maine, 2006
- Presenter11th Annual Education Law ConferencePortland, Maine, 2004
- PresenterVirginia Education Law ConferenceRichmond, Virginia, 2004
- Keynote Speaker10th Annual Education Law ConferenceConcord, New Hampshire, 2003
- PresenterVirginia Education Law ConferenceWilliamsburg, Virginia, 2003
Articles & Alerts
- Legalities, West Virginia School Board Association, December 2022
- 4 considerations to keep in mind, including FERPA rules, parents' comfort level with technology, and state and district policiesDistrictAdministration.com, October 16, 2020
- Special Ed Connection: Kimberly Croyle discusses how to communicate with parents during the pandemicSpecial Ed Connection®, September 29, 2020
- Special Ed Connection®, September 29, 2020
- Special Ed Connection®, April 9, 2019
- Special Ed Connection®, April 9, 2019
- Legalities, West Virginia School Board Association, February 14, 2019
- Legalities, West Virginia School Board Association, February 8, 2019
- Legalities, West Virginia School Board Association, January 18, 2019
- Legalities, West Virginia School Board Association, January 26, 2018
- Legalities, West Virginia School Board Association, January 19, 2018
- Legalities, West Virginia School Board Association, January 12, 2018
- Legalities, West Virginia School Board Association, February 2017
- Legalities, West Virginia School Board Association, March 2016
- Legalities, West Virginia School Board Association, February 2016
- Legalities, West Virginia School Board Association, January 2016
- American Association of School Administrators, October 2007
- “Harassment and Bullying”, by Kimberly S. CroyleNational School Boards Association, 2006
- Leadership Insider: Practical Perspectives on School Law & Policy, August 2006
Views & Visions
- Fall/Winter 2021
- The Class of 2025: How Will They Learn?Fall 2013
- North Central West Virginia – Taking It to the Next LevelFall 2010
- Powering Our Future!Fall 2007
Professional Affiliations
- Energy & Mineral Law Foundation
- Gas & Oil Association of WV, Inc.
- Metallurgical Coal Producers Association
- Monongalia County Bar Association
- National Association of College & University Attorneys (NACUA)
- National School Boards Association Council of School Attorneys
- West Virginia Coal Association
- West Virginia School Boards Association Council of School Attorneys