Atty. W. Jesse Forbes

Atty. W. Jesse Forbes

W. Jesse Forbes is a respected litigation attorney focusing his efforts on civil and criminal representation with an outstanding reputation as an advocate for his clients.

Charleston Charleston 21 yrs experience 21 year
Call (681) 317-8307 Book Appointment

Profile Summary

About W. Jesse Forbes at a glance

W. Jesse Forbes is a Marketing Partner based in Charleston, West Virginia, practicing at Forbes Law Offices PLLC. They have 21+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 2005. Their practice focuses on dui/dwi, car accidents, personal injury, criminal defense, and federal crimes. Admitted to practice in West Virginia (2005) and U.S. District Court, Southern District of West Virginia (2005). Educated at Wake Forest University School of Law (J.D., 2005) and West Virginia University (B.S., 2002). Recognitions include AV Preeminent. Serands clients in Charleston, WV and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated June 2026

About

  • W. Jesse Forbes is a respected litigation attorney focusing his efforts on civil and criminal representation with an outstanding reputation as an advocate for his clients
  • Jesse has extensive courtroom experience in a wide range of cases from multi-million dollar civil cases to serious criminal cases, child abuse and neglect proceedings, and other legal matters
  • Jesse began his legal career as a judicial law clerk for a West Virginia Circuit Court Judge
  • Before he was 30 years old, Jesse successfully represented an injured tractor trailer victim at trial obtaining a jury verdict in excess of $2 million dollars for his client
  • Since that time Jesse has consistently obtained favorable verdicts and settlements for his clients
  • In addition, Jesse has been appointed as a Special Commissioner in Circuit Court proceedings
  • a Mental Hygiene Commissioner for Kanawha County
  • and a Special Assistant Attorney General for West Virginia
  • In 2012, Jesse represented the State of West Virginia in obtaining an $18 million dollar settlement from a national credit card company for West Virginia consumers who saw their credit card accounts charged for unfair and misleading practices
  • Jesse also often serves as a Guardian Ad Litem for minor children having dealings with the court system
  • Jesse’s courtroom experience is extensive, practicing in courts throughout the State of West Virginia and appearing many times before the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals, the state’s highest Court
  • He has been named to the National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40, an invitation honor extended to those individuals who exemplify superior qualifications, trial results and leadership as a young lawyer under the age of 40
  • He has also been named a 2015 Generation Next Top 40 Under 40 Recipient by the West Virginia State Journal
  • Jesse lives in Charleston where he grew up and attended public schools, along with his wife and two children
  • Jesse graduated from West Virginia University with a Bachelor of Science degree and received his Juris Doctor from Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, N.C
  • While attending law school Jesse worked as a prosecutor in Forsyth County, N.C., as a law clerk for the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals and a law clerk for the United States International Trade Commission in Washington, D.C
  • Upon graduation, Jesse served as a Judicial Law Clerk in West Virginia’s 5th Judicial Circuit (representing Mason, Jackson, Roane and Calhoun counties) before embarking on a legal career in Kanawha County, W.Va
  • Jesse has served on various boards and committees in the community including the Charleston Municipal Planning Commission
  • The West Virginia Medical Cannabis Advisory Board
  • the West Virginia State Bar’s Elder Law Committee (former Chair)
  • the West Virginia State Bar's Criminal Law Committee
  • the West Virginia Mental Health Association Board
  • the Kanawha County Deputy Sheriffs Civil Service Commission
  • the Kanawha County Community Corrections Board
  • and the HospiceCare Golf Outing & Dance Party Steering Committee
  • PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS AND MEMBERSHIPS - Charleston Municipal Planning Commission Commissioner - West Virginia Medical Cannabis Advisory Board - Kanawha County Mental Hygiene Commissioner - Kanawha County Deputy Sheriff's Civil Service Commission Commissioner - Chair, West Virginia State Bar Elder Law Committee - West Virginia State Bar Criminal Law Committee - Kanawha County Community Corrections Board, Member - West Virginia State Bar, Member - American Association for Justice, Member - Criminal Law Section, American Association for Justice, Member - West Virginia Association for Justice, Board Member - National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Member - Public Justice Foundation, Member - United States Supreme Court Historical Society - Top 40 Under 40, The National Trial Lawyers - Generation Next, Top 40 Under 40, West Virginia State Journal

Practice Areas Explained

W. Jesse Forbes's Areas of Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases W. Jesse Forbes handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.

DUI / DWI Defense

Find experienced DUI and DWI defense attorneys near you. Compare verified profiles, read client reviews, and consult about your case for free.

W. Jesse Forbes is one of 29,976 dui/dwi attorneys indexed nationally. Browse dui/dwi attorneys in West Virginia →

Car Accidents

Hurt in a car crash? Car accident lawyers fight insurance companies for fair compensation — free consult, no fee unless you win.

W. Jesse Forbes is one of 36,807 car accidents attorneys indexed nationally. Browse car accidents attorneys in West Virginia →

Personal Injury

Personal injury attorneys help accident victims recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain & suffering. Most work on contingency — no fee unless you win.

W. Jesse Forbes is one of 264,852 personal injury attorneys indexed nationally. Browse personal injury attorneys in West Virginia →

Criminal Defense

A criminal defense attorney protects your rights from arrest through trial. Find experienced lawyers handling DUI, drug, federal, theft, and violent-crime charges.

W. Jesse Forbes is one of 214,270 criminal defense attorneys indexed nationally. Browse criminal defense attorneys in West Virginia →

Federal Crimes

W. Jesse Forbes is one of 6,773 federal crimes attorneys indexed nationally. Browse federal crimes attorneys in West Virginia →

Jurisdictional Context

Why local counsel matters in West Virginia

Practicing law in West Virginia. Legal matters in West Virginia are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Charleston are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate West Virginia state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in West Virginia brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in West Virginia courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.

Looking for additional West Virginia attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Charleston or all attorneys in West Virginia.

Frequently Asked

Common questions about W. Jesse Forbes

Where is W. Jesse Forbes's law office located?
W. Jesse Forbes's law practice is located in Charleston, West Virginia. The firm is Forbes Law Offices PLLC. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does W. Jesse Forbes handle?
W. Jesse Forbes focuses on dui/dwi, car accidents, personal injury, criminal defense, federal crimes. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in West Virginia.
How long has W. Jesse Forbes practiced law?
W. Jesse Forbes has 21+ years of legal experience and has been licensed since 2005.
Where did W. Jesse Forbes go to law school?
W. Jesse Forbes earned their education at (J.D., 2005); (B.S., 2002).
How can I contact W. Jesse Forbes for a consultation?
You can contact W. Jesse Forbes directly through this profile page. Click "Ask the Attorney" to submit a question, or "Schedule a Consultation" to book a meeting. Most claimed-profile attorneys respond within one business day.
What awards or recognition has W. Jesse Forbes received?
W. Jesse Forbes's notable recognition includes: AV Preeminent.

Education

J.D.
Wake Forest University School of Law
- 2005
B.S.
West Virginia University
- 2002

Awards

AV Preeminent

Bar Admissions

West Virginia
Admitted: 2005
U.S. District Court, Southern District of West Virginia
Admitted: 2005

Reviews

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