Our Team

Phil Reale is an attorney and government relations consultant who has vast experience in in a myriad of public policy areas ranging from oil and gas matters, as both an attorney and as lobbyist for the industry, healthcare policy, gaming and lottery laws in multiple jurisdictions around the U. S., economic development, alcohol policy, and e-government. He is a 1977 graduate of the West Virginia University College of Law. He has been an active member of the Independent Oil and Gas Association of West Virginia, including one term as president of the organization and at all times an effective coordinator of public policy and legislative affairs for the industry in West Virginia. He served on the Board of Directors of Alliance Petroleum Corporation, an exploration and production company with operations in Ohio, West Virginia and Pennsylvania. He also served as the Independent Oil and Gas Association representative to Governor Tomblin’s Natural Gas Vehicle Task Force. He is often found on the editorial pages of state newspapers offering comments on various issues confronting state government.

He rose to prominence in statewide political circles when in 1988, he chaired the transition team for incoming West Virginia Governor, Gaston Caperton and ultimately served the new governor as his Chief of Staff, a role that led him into a career of helping guide clients through legislative and government processes. He has served the state in a variety of capacities including that of its representative to the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission for which he served as its Vice Chairman. Additionally, he Co-Chaired the Higher Education Advocacy Team and championed a higher education reform effort, served two terms as Chairman of the State College System of West Virginia Board of Directors, served on the West Virginia Judicial Investigation Commission, served on the West Virginia Educational Broadcasting Authority, served on the West Virginia Prepaid College Tuition Trust Fund Board of Directors, and has held leadership positions in various political and civic organizations. He is the recipient of two Distinguished West Virginian Awards of Public Service.

Phil has routinely left his mark on statewide political campaigns over his many years of involvement in West Virginia politics and is often consulted by candidates seeking assistance with political strategies.

On the charitable side of the ledger, he has served as Chairman of Special Olympics of West Virginia, been an avid supporter of youth athletics, is the Chairman of the West Virginia Golf Hall of Fame, a member of the West Virginia Golf Association Executive Committee and currently serves the organization as its vice-president and chair of its Long Term Planning Committee. Further, he serves on the Leadership Council of the West Virginia University Cancer Institute.

He is married to his wife of 40 plus years, the former Terry Smith of Vienna, West Virginia and has two sons, Philip A. Reale, II and Patrick Anthony Reale, both attorney as well.

Jimmy has been with the Law Office of Philip A. Reale for over ten years. Before that he served as the Executive Director of the Gilmer County Economic Development Association (GCEDA) for ten years and was responsible for a large number of development projects including the location of a $130 million dollar medium-security Federal Correctional Institution in Gilmer County, employing nearly four hundred people. In order for the prison project to be completed, Jimmy led community efforts to secure grant funding from the federal and state government to provide the necessary infrastructure to the proposed location. When all was said and done, the community received over fourteen million in grant money which was very significant given the state’s usual allotment.

Jimmy has been a fixture at the State Capitol since 1992 when he was elected as the youngest member to the 71st West Virginia Legislature at the age of 25.  Jimmy counts several legislative leaders as his close personal friends and clients benefit from his relationships with legislators and executive agency staff alike, as well as his knowledge of the legislative process.

Jimmy’s political prowess is unmatched in our state.  He fields calls daily from candidates seeking his advice and expertise regarding messaging, voting trends and issues of importance to the general public.  Jimmy’s keen strategic thinking is also of great value at the state capitol, as he is able to create messaging that resonates with members.

However, Jimmy’s greatest gift is friendly demeanor.  Though certainly skilled at fervently debating on a client’s behalf, Jimmy is sincerely kind to everyone he encounters.  His high profile stable of friends and his genuine likeability make him a powerful ally at the statehouse.

Jimmy lives in Weston with his wife Ronne Dee and their three children.

Joining the Law Office of Philip A. Reale in June 2017, Philip A. Reale, II, is the most recent addition to the firm. A 2010 graduate of the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill School of Law, Philip is an experienced litigator and general practice attorney who has represented clients across a broad spectrum of practice areas. He now focuses his practice on helping clients who are injured due to the negligence of others, as well as clients who have been wrongfully terminated or discriminated against in the workplace. Additionally, whether negotiating lease agreements, or litigating quiet title actions, Philip helps clients concerning a variety of oil and gas matters.

Prior to his transition to the Law Office of Philip A. Reale, Philip was an attorney at the largest litigation firm in West Virginia, primarily engaged in defense litigation, representing employers in claims filed by employees for workplace injuries and wrongful discharge. His work has also included defense of newspapers in defamation actions, oil and natural gas contract matters, defense of automobile makers in products liability actions, prosecution of automobile accident cases, business formations and other various matters. His experience as a defense litigator provides him a unique perspective in assisting clients as he has the ability to evaluate cases from every angle to produce positive outcomes.

Philip also has a stellar record before the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals, having successfully represented multiple clients before West Virginia’s highest court. In addition to his law degree, Philip also holds an M.B.A. from East Carolina University (’07).

In addition to being an accomplished attorney, Philip is one of the top amateur golfers in West Virginia, and competes regularly throughout the U.S. in top amateur golf tournaments.

In his spare time, Philip enjoys West Virginia Mountaineer athletics and spending time with his wife, Abby, and their daughters Eddison and Palmer.