Fairmont, Martinsburg Attorney Taylor Downs 2026 – 2027 WVAJ President

Charleston, W.Va. – Fairmont attorney Taylor B. Downs has been named the 2026 – 2027 president 

of the West Virginia Association for Justice. He joined Manchin Injury Law Group in 2011 as an 

associate and became a partner in 2015. The firm has offices in Fairmont, Morgantown, and 

Martinsburg. 

1 of 2“It is an honor to lead the West Virginia Association for Justice, an organization whose members 

include some of the very best trial lawyers in the country. I have been a member since graduating 

from law school in 2011, and it is a privilege to be an advocate for WVAJ, our members, their clients, 

and our civil justice system,” said Downs. 

Downs’ interest in law began when he was a child. In elementary school he drew an ad for the “Law 

Office of Taylor Downs’ that includes the headline, “Do You Want Justice?” The drawing is framed 

and hangs in his office. 

“I always knew this is what I wanted to do. My grandfather, Bob Burkhart, served as a Berkeley 

County commissioner and circuit clerk. I saw how he helped people, and I equated that public 

service with the law. I decided then that I wanted to be a lawyer to help people as well. I saw that I 

could make a real difference for people.” 

As a law student Downs gained first-hand experience in civil plaintiffs’ law working with Martinsburg 

attorney Harry Waddell. He joined Tim Manchin’s law practice after graduation. 

“Since the time I hired Taylor as an associate, he has been devoted to securing and maintaining the 

rights of West Virginians, and he is now my law partner. His 15 years of commitment to this work 

has been recognized by his peers, who have elected him to serve as president of the West Virginia 

Association for Justice. I know that he will not only fulfill, but exceed their expectations in this role,” 

said Manchin, a WVAJ past president. 

Downs’ practice areas include personal injury, medical malpractice, deliberate intent, and premises 

Liability. 

Originally from Martinsburg, Downs is a graduate of Shepherd University and the West Virginia 

University College of Law. In addition to his service on the WVAJ board, Downs is a past member of 

the American Association for Justice Board of Governors. He lives in Fairmont with his wife, Missy, 

and their son, Henry. 

The West Virginia Association for Justice is a voluntary bar association that represents nearly 

500 attorneys practicing throughout West Virginia and in surrounding states. Its members are 

committed to preserving and improving our civil justice system in order to ensure that any person 

who is injured by the misconduct and negligence of others can obtain justice in America’s 

courtrooms.