Richard R. "Richie" Heath, Jr.

Richard R. "Richie" Heath, Jr.


Bowles Rice LLP

Recognized since 2021

Charleston, West Virginia

Practice Areas

Government Relations Practice

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2023 - Government Relations Practice
Spinning circle Big letter B

Richard "Richie" Heath, Jr. concentrates his practice in the area of government relations and serves as leader of the firm's Government Relations team. Richie's practice also includes work in the hospitality, gaming and tourism industry, industrial hemp and medical cannabis fields, as well as the state's burgeoning renewable energy industry. Prior to joining the firm, he was Chief Legal Counsel and Chief of Staff for West Virginia Senate Presidents Mitch B. Carmichael and William P. Cole. He also served as a Deputy Attorney General to West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey.

Richie's experience in public policy, government relations and executive management is extensive. From legislative drafting and in-depth legal analysis to research and communications, his background in the public, private and non-profit sectors provides the ability to offer clients measured, insightful results. In addition, Richie has significant practice in the areas of economic development, constitutional law and civil justice reform, and he regularly assists on campaign finance and election law matters.

Richie's practice also includes work in the hospitality, gaming and tourism industry as well as the state's burgeoning industrial hemp and medical cannabis field. He is the primary author of State of Affairs, the official blog of the Bowles Rice Government Relations team.

A 2002 graduate of the Wake Forest University School of Law, Richie was selected a National Member of the Order of the Barristers, an honorary organization limited to graduating law students and practicing lawyers who demonstrate exceptional skill in trial advocacy, oral advocacy and brief writing. He earned his bachelor’s degree, magna cum laude, in political science from Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia.

Contact & Links
Location
  • 600 Quarrier Street
    Charleston, WV 25301
Education
  • Wake Forest University, J.D., graduated 2002
  • Wake Forest University, J.D., graduated 2002
  • Hampden-Sydney College, B.A., Political Science, graduated 2009
Bar Admissions
  • West Virginia, The West Virginia State Bar
Court Admissions
  • Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia

Bowles Rice LLP
Headquarters: Charleston, West Virginia

39 The Best Lawyers in America® awards

15 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America awards

Best Law Firms Badge Visit Website View Firm Profile

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2023 - Government Relations Practice
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
  • Government Relations Practice, Charleston, WV (2023)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2025 for work in:
  • Government Relations Practice
Additional Areas of Practice:
  • Cannabis Law

Publications

Your browser is not fully compatible with our automatic printer friendly formatting.

Please use the print button to print this profile page.

Spinning circle Big letter B