Hannah Hebel is an associate attorney at Pence Law Firm, PLLC in Charleston, West Virginia, where she handles general civil litigation. She joined the firm in June 2026 after two years of high-volume litigation practice, bringing hands-on experience in depositions, motion practice, and settlement negotiations, along with a practical understanding of how civil cases are built, valued, and resolved.

Before joining Pence Law Firm, Hannah was an associate at Bailey & Wyant in Charleston from 2024 to 2026. Working closely with partners, fellow associates, and staff, she managed a diverse caseload of civil litigation and insurance-related matters from inception through resolution. Her work covered every phase of a case, including:

• Investigating claims and drafting written discovery requests and responses
• Taking and defending depositions
• Drafting dispositive motions and successfully arguing motions to dismiss, motions for summary judgment, and discovery motions
• Leading settlement negotiations, both in mediation and before suit was filed
• Preparing cases for trial and appealing orders

Much of that work centered on understanding what a case is really worth. Hannah routinely analyzed insurance claim files, medical records, employment records, incident reports, and expert materials to assess liability and damages exposure. She also advised claims professionals on:

• Case evaluations
• Liability assessments
• Settlement valuations
• Trial risk management

That experience gives her a clear view of how claims are measured and how cases tend to resolve, and it shapes the practical, straightforward counsel she offers clients.

Hannah earned her Juris Doctor from the West Virginia University College of Law in 2024 as a recipient of the Foundation Scholarship. She served as Secretary of the Environmental Law Society and was a member of the Energy Law Association and Public Interest Advocates.

As a student clinician in the WVU Land Use and Sustainable Development Clinic, Hannah:

• Researched property titles for ownership, legal descriptions, and encumbrances
• Drafted title opinions advising on issues affecting land use and development
• Reviewed local land use ordinances for zoning compliance
• Worked with attorneys, land use planners, and city officials to update municipal comprehensive plans that incorporated community input, zoning changes, and sustainable development goals

As a part-time research assistant at West Virginia University, she also studied carbon sequestration methods available to landowners through forestry, agriculture, and soil management, and tracked legislation affecting carbon credits and sustainable land use. That background in environmental, energy, and land use issues complements the firm’s environmental and energy practice.

In the summer of 2022, Hannah worked full time as a legal intern and Public Interest Fellow with Disability Rights of West Virginia in Charleston, where she:

• Researched special education law and the Fair Housing Act
• Tracked state legislation affecting access to services and conditions in institutions
• Supported ongoing litigation and administrative advocacy
• Met directly with clients in psychiatric hospitals, state prisons, and regional jails

Hannah graduated magna cum laude from West Virginia University in 2021 with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism and a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy. The pairing reflects two skills at the heart of litigation: gathering the facts carefully and building a sound, logical argument from them.

She is admitted to practice in West Virginia and before the U.S. District Courts for the Southern and Northern Districts of West Virginia. She is also a member of the Defense Trial Counsel of West Virginia and participated in the West Virginia State Bar Foundation’s Lawyer Leadership Training Program in 2025.

Outside the office, Hannah enjoys spending time with her fiancé and their Boston Terrier, Toad. Together they hike, whitewater kayak, and paddleboard, exploring the trails and rivers around West Virginia. Fayetteville, the gateway to the New River Gorge, is one of their favorite places to get outdoors.

Bar Admissions

• West Virginia, 2024
• U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia, 2024
• U.S. District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia, 2025

Education

• West Virginia University College of Law, J.D., 2024
  • Recipient, Foundation Scholarship
  • Secretary, Environmental Law Society
  • Member, Public Interest Advocates and Energy Law Association
• West Virginia University, B.S. in Journalism and B.A. in Philosophy, magna cum laude, 2021

Professional Experience

• Associate, Pence Law Firm, PLLC – Charleston, WV (June 2026 to present)
• Associate, Bailey & Wyant – Charleston, WV (2024 to 2026)
• Student Clinician, WVU Land Use and Sustainable Development Clinic – Morgantown, WV (2023 to 2024)
• Research Assistant, West Virginia University – Morgantown, WV (2023 to 2024)
• Legal Intern and Public Interest Fellow, Disability Rights of West Virginia – Charleston, WV (2022)

Professional Memberships and Leadership

• Member, Defense Trial Counsel of West Virginia (2025 to present)
• Participant, West Virginia State Bar Foundation Lawyer Leadership Training Program (2025)