W. Jesse Forbes

As the managing attorney of Forbes Law Offices, W. Jesse Forbes divides his practice between personal injury, crime victim representation, wrongful death litigation and serious criminal defense. In 2020 Jesse represented 29 child sexual abuse victims recovering a $52 million dollar settlement on their behalf. Based in Charleston, West Virginia, his background also encompasses consumer protection issues, including his work on a 2012 case involving unfair trade practices by a credit card issuer that resulted in an $18 million settlement for cardholders throughout the state who had seen their accounts wrongly charged. Admitted to practice in West Virginia, Mr. Forbes is also admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia.

In his criminal defense practice, Mr. Forbes represents clients who have been charged with the commission of misdemeanor or felony offenses. His experience in this regard has covered white collar crimes, driving under the influence of alcohol, drug possession and trafficking, assault, murder, and burglary. Mr. Forbes also assists people throughout the state who have been harmed by the negligence of other parties in incidents arising out of motor vehicle accidents, medical malpractice, and child abuse. His successful track record throughout his career have earned him the respect of his colleagues, as evidenced by his receipt of a 10.0 "Superb" peer review rating through Avvo, and "Distinguished" peer review rating* through Martindale-Hubbell. Mr. Forbes has also been named to The National Trial Lawyers: Top 40 Under 40.

Mr. Forbes is a graduate of West Virginia University, where he majored in journalism and received a Bachelor of Science in 2002. His legal education came at Wake Forest University School of Law, and he was awarded his Juris Doctor in 2005. After graduation, he clerked for a judge on West Virginia's 5th Judicial Circuit before entering private practice. Mr. Forbes is active in several professional and community organizations.

*AV®, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished and Martindale-Hubbell Notable are certification marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell® is the facilitator of a peer review rating process. Ratings reflect the anonymous opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Rating™ fall into two categories – legal ability and general ethical standards.