BIOGRAPHY | MY STORY
BIOGRAPHY:
Jeffrey V. Kessler was born on November 16, 1955, in Wheeling, West Virginia.
Jeff graduated from Bishop Donahue High School in 1974 and from West Liberty State College with highest honors in December, 1977, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in both Economics and Political Science.
Thereafter, he attended the West Virginia University College of Law, where he earned his law degree in May, 1981. Since that time, Mr. Kessler has practiced law in Moundsville, West Virginia. He is a founding partner in the law firm of Berry, Kessler, Crutchfield,Taylor & Gordon. In his legal practice, Jeff served as City Solicitor for the City of Benwood and as Municipal Court Judge for the City of McMechen . He served as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in Marshall County from 1985 to 2000, and as a Special Prosecutor in Ohio and Wetzel Counties.
Jeff is admitted to practice law in all of the Courts of the State of West Virginia, as well as the Northern and Southern United States District Courts of West Virginia. He engages in a general practice of law with an emphasis in injury and insurance litigation, small business and commercial representation, real estate and elder law.
On November 10, 1997, Jeff was appointed to the West Virginia State Senate for the Second Senatorial District. He has been elected to the office in 1998, 2000, 2004 and 2008. Senator Kessler was appointed as Chairman of the powerful Senate Judiciary during the 2003 session. He has served as Vice-Chairman of the Senate Banking & Insurance Committee and as Vice-Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Economic Development. In addition to chairing the Judiciary Committee, Senator Kessler currently serves on the Rules, Government Organization, Banking and Insurance, and Energy Industry & Mining committees.
He has played a pivotal role in passing legislation to improve West Virginia. He was a major sponsor of the Economic Development Grant Committee and tax increment financing legislation which led to the Cabelas project in the Northern Panhandle and other significant statewide projects. He was an author of the legislation creating the new Family Court system and domestic relations reform, including shared parenting. He helped draft West Virginia's Medical Malpractice law and 2003 Worker's Compensation reform legislation. During 2005 Senator Kessler spearheaded the passage of Election law reform which made West Virginia the first state to regulate 527 organizations. He also served as the Senate Chair of the Legislature's Special Investigative Committee on Mine Safety surrounding the Sago Mine disaster.
Senator Kessler currently serves on the Board of Directors of Ohio Valley Regional Economic Development Corporation; and formerly served upon boards of the United Way, BB&T Bank and the the Wheeling Area Chamber of Commerce . He is the chair of the State Bar District 2 Character Committee, a member of the West Virginia Law Institute and a member of the WVU College of Law Visiting Committee.
Jeff resides in Glen Dale with his wife Gretchen, and their children, Jacob, Lauren, Jackson and Hastings. He and his family are members of St. Jude Church.
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