Craig M. Kay

Craig M. Kay is a Charleston commercial lawyer and member of Kay Casto & Chaney PLLC who advises businesses, families, and trusts. His practice focuses on federal and state taxation, estate and business planning, mergers and acquisitions, closely held companies, and trust and estate matters. He represents publicly traded corporations, start-up companies, and individual and family trusts. He has served on the firm’s management committee since 1998.

Craig earned his J.D. from West Virginia University College of Law, an LL.M. in Taxation from New York University, and a B.S. in Accounting, cum laude, from the University of Richmond. His accounting and tax education supports detailed analysis of business structures, estate plans, tax obligations, and transactions. He is admitted before the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals, federal district courts in West Virginia, and the US Tax Court.

Craig has practiced with Kay Casto & Chaney PLLC since 1991 and previously clerked for Judge Charles H. Haden II, Chief Judge of the US District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia. His work includes business organizations, mergers and acquisitions, tax planning, tax disputes, trusts and estates, probate, and trust administration. He helps clients address ownership, succession, wealth transfer, and tax issues involving businesses and family assets.

Craig M. Kay has received sustained recognition for tax, trusts and estates, and related litigation. Best Lawyers has named him Lawyer of the Year in several tax and trusts and estates categories. He has been recognized by Chambers USA and West Virginia Super Lawyers and holds an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell. His professional background combines accounting, taxation, business planning, estate planning, and decades of commercial practice.

Law Office Affiliations

• Attorney, Kay Casto & Chaney PLLC
• Member, West Virginia State Bar

Licensed State

• West Virginia

Education

• New York University
  Master of Laws (LLM)
• West Virginia University College of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• University of Richmond
  Bachelor of Science (BS)