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.
“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.
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