Donald C. Sinclair II

Donald C. Sinclair II is Of Counsel with Steptoe & Johnson in Wheeling, West Virginia, whose practice focuses on occupational and environmental litigation. Sinclair represents clients in the energy and transportation sectors in matters involving water, air, soil, industrial noise, vibration, occupational disease, toxic torts, and alleged brain injury. Sinclair also participates in the firm’s Emerging Contaminants Team, addressing developing scientific and regulatory issues connected with environmental claims.

Sinclair earned a J.D. from West Virginia University College of Law and a B.A. from West Virginia Wesleyan College. Sinclair has also served as an adjunct professor, adding an academic dimension to a practice grounded in litigation and scientific evidence. This education supports analysis of causation, exposure, environmental conditions, regulatory standards, and expert testimony, all of which can be central when businesses face claims involving occupational or environmental harm.

Sinclair’s work covers disputes arising from industrial operations, transportation, energy development, alleged toxic exposure, and occupational conditions. The practice may involve questions about air or water impacts, soil conditions, noise and vibration, workplace disease, or neurological injury. Sinclair evaluates scientific and technical records alongside legal defenses, helping clients address causation, regulatory context, expert evidence, and the procedural demands of complex litigation involving environmental or workplace allegations.

Donald C. Sinclair II has been recognized by Best Lawyers in transportation law and brings long-term litigation experience to environmental and occupational disputes. Sinclair’s work requires a careful connection between scientific evidence and legal standards, particularly when causation is contested. By analyzing technical records and developing litigation strategy around the facts, Sinclair helps energy, transportation, and industrial clients respond to toxic tort, environmental, and occupational claims with practical legal guidance.

Law Office Affiliations

• Of Counsel, Steptoe & Johnson PLLC
• Member, Maine State Bar Association
• Member, The Missouri Bar
• Member, Pennsylvania Bar Association
• Member, State Bar of Texas
• Member, The West Virginia State Bar
• Executive Committee and Past Southeast Region Vice President, National Association of Railroad Trial Counsel
• Past Member, Delegate, U.S. Technical Advisory Group (TAG) to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Technical Committee TC108, Mechanical Vibration and Shock, Scientific Committee SC4, Human Exposure to Vibration and Shock
• Emeritus Member, Board of Directors, Wheeling Symphony Orchestra Emeritus
• Past Member, American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Accredited Standards Committee ASC2, Human Exposure to Whole Body Vibration and Repeated Shock
• Associate Member, American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

Licensed State

• Maine
• Missouri
• Pennsylvania
• Texas
• West Virginia

Education

• West Virginia University College of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• West Virginia Wesleyan College
  Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Awards & Badges