John R. Hoblitzell

John R. Hoblitzell is of counsel at Kay Casto & Chaney PLLC in Charleston, WV. Hoblitzell maintains a civil trial practice involving contract disputes, products liability, insurance coverage and bad faith, and state administrative matters. The practice includes commercial and contract litigation, products liability, insurance coverage, bad-faith claims, administrative proceedings, arbitration, and civil trial work. The work often involves developing case strategy, evaluating evidence, briefing legal issues, and preparing matters for negotiation, hearing, trial, or appeal.

Hoblitzell earned a B.S. in Economics from West Virginia University in 1970 and a Doctor of Jurisprudence from the West Virginia University College of Law in 1973. Hoblitzell has held senior leadership roles within his firm, including chairing its litigation practice and earlier service on the management committee. That training supports the research, writing, analysis, and advocacy required in complex civil disputes and other contested proceedings.

Hoblitzell’s experience includes civil trial work involving contract disputes, products liability, insurance coverage and bad faith, administrative proceedings, and other commercial matters. His practice also includes arbitration and decades of experience managing significant litigation for business and insurance clients. These matters require close attention to facts, procedure, legal standards, and the practical consequences of decisions made throughout a case.

John R. Hoblitzell brings long-term trial, arbitration, insurance, and commercial-dispute experience to his of-counsel role. His prior leadership of the firm’s litigation practice reflects a career centered on contested business and insurance matters in West Virginia. The practice remains focused on careful preparation, clear analysis, and representation that responds to the legal and practical demands of each dispute.

Law Office Affiliations

• Of Counsel, Kay Casto & Chaney PLLC
• Member, The West Virginia State Bar
• Member, American Bar Association – Committee on Tort and Insurance Practice
• Member, Defense Trial Counsel of West Virginia
• Member, Judge John A. Field, Jr. American Inn of Court
• Member, State Bar Association of West Virginia
• Chairman, Board of Trustees, Charleston Area Medical Center, Inc.
• Vice Chairman, CAMC Health Systems, Inc.
• Former Chairman and Executive Committee Member, West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission (2000 – 2004)
• Chairman, University System of West Virginia (1993 – 1995)
• Community Representative, Board of Directors, Charleston Area Health Plans (1996 – 1999)
• President, West Virginia University Alumni Association (1988 – 1989)
• Former member of the board and past president, Kanawha Valley Chapter/WVU Alumni Association
• Delegate At Large, Republican National Convention (1976)
• Member, West Virginia Roundtable, Inc.
• Member, First Presbyterian Church of Charleston

Licensed State

• West Virginia

Education

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

Awards & Badges