James A. “Rocky” Gianola

James A. “Rocky” Gianola is an attorney at Lewis Gianola PLLC whose practice includes wills, trusts, estate planning and administration, business law, construction law, and tax matters. He advises individuals, families, and businesses in West Virginia on matters ranging from estate succession to commercial transactions. His business work includes mergers and acquisitions, leasing, capital formation, development, financing, and regulatory compliance. He also helps families plan how assets and business interests will pass to future generations.

Gianola earned a J.D. from West Virginia University College of Law in 1982 and a B.S. in Accounting from West Virginia University in 1979, graduating cum laude. His accounting studies complement legal work involving estate assets, taxes, business finance, and financial planning. This combination of educational backgrounds helps him address the financial and legal components of commercial agreements and estate administration. His legal career has focused on business and private-client matters.

Gianola works with both smaller and larger businesses in negotiations, mergers, acquisitions, and other commercial transactions. His services include business planning, due diligence, contract drafting, and assistance with operating arrangements and compliance matters. In estate planning, he has assisted hundreds of individuals with plans for estates of different sizes and has handled estate administration. His legal work includes succession planning when an estate involves a closely held business or commercial property.

James A. “Rocky” Gianola belongs to the West Virginia State Bar and professional organizations addressing business, real property, trusts, and estates. He has also served on the West Virginia University Alumni Association Board of Directors. At Lewis Gianola, he brings together estate planning and business transaction experience to help clients consider ownership, succession, contractual obligations, and long-term plans. His work centers on practical legal structures for families and organizations.

Law Office Affiliations

• Attorney, Lewis Gianola PLLC
• Member, The West Virginia State Bar
• Member, American Bar Association
• Member, American Bar Association, Business Law Section
• Member, American Bar Association, Real Property Trusts and Estate Section
• Board Member, West Virginia University Alumni Association
• Member, Community Associations Institute

Licensed State

• West Virginia

Education

• West Virginia University College of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• West Virginia University
  Bachelor of Science (BS) in Accounting

Awards & Badges