Bryant J. Spann

Bryant J. Spann is a partner and founder of Thomas Combs & Spann, PLLC in Charleston, West Virginia, and a first-chair trial lawyer focused on complex defense litigation. Spann represents manufacturers, financial institutions, lenders, and other businesses in mass tort, product liability, professional liability, consumer finance, and commercial disputes. His practice emphasizes courtroom advocacy in high-stakes matters, including cases involving asbestos, respirators, mortgage lending, consumer debt collection, mining equipment, and opioid litigation.

Spann earned his J.D. magna cum laude from the University of Georgia School of Law in 1995, where he served as Editor-in-Chief of the Georgia Law Review. He received his B.A. summa cum laude from Washington & Lee University in 1991 and later completed a Fulbright Scholarship in Germany. His academic background and early federal appellate clerkships provided a strong foundation in legal analysis, writing, and trial strategy.

Spann developed substantial courtroom experience as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District of West Virginia from 1999 to 2002. As a federal prosecutor, he tried criminal matters to verdict, including a six-week case involving banking officials connected to a major bank failure. In private practice, he has served as lead trial counsel for manufacturers in mask, respirator, and asbestos cases, securing defense verdicts in jurisdictions including Hawaii, Massachusetts, Mississippi, and Kentucky.

Bryant J. Spann is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and has been individually ranked by Chambers & Partners since 2007. He is also active in the International Association of Defense Counsel and has taught at the organization’s Trial Academy. Spann regularly lectures on evidence, trial tactics, and legal writing. His federal prosecution background, national trial experience, and focus on complex defense work support clients facing demanding commercial and mass tort litigation.

Law Office Affiliations

• Partner, Thomas Combs & Spann, PLLC
• Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers
• Member, International Association of Defense Lawyers

Licensed State

• West Virginia
• Kentucky

Education

• University of Georgia School of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• Washington & Lee University
  Bachelor of Arts (BA)