Richard "Dink" Yurko began his practice with Steptoe & Johnson in 1984, concentrating in the areas of employment law and personal injury litigation.  Mr. Yurko has tried over fifty jury cases throughout the State of West Virginia and in federal court and has argued appeals in the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.  Mr. Yurko serves as the firm’s Education Law Team Leader.

AREAS OF CONCENTRATION

Employment Discrimination
Mr. Yurko has defended employers in both state and federal courts on discrimination claims brought by employees for:

• Race
• Age
• Gender
• Disability
• National origin
• Sexual harassment
• Workers’ compensation

Wrongful Discharge
Mr. Yurko has defended employers in both state and federal courts in claims brought by employees for:

• Breach of contract
• Retaliatory discharge
• Defamation
• Invasion of privacy
• Constructive discharge
• Other employment related torts
• Whistleblowing

Employment Law
Mr. Yurko has defended numerous employers, including colleges and universities, county boards of education, hospitals, energy-related companies, food service businesses and other public and private organizations in employment matters and workplace related injuries.

General Litigation
Mr. Yurko has defended insurance carriers with respect to coverage disputes and has assisted insurance carriers in the investigation of fraudulent claims. 

PROFESSIONAL AND CIVIC ASSOCIATIONS

Within the community, Mr. Yurko has served as a member of the Harrison County Civil Service Commission for Correctional Officers, as President of the Bridgeport Kiwanis and as a member of the Harrison County Chamber of Commerce.  Mr. Yurko is currently serving as President of the City of Bridgeport’s Firemen’s Civil Service Commission; Treasurer of the Executive Committee of the West Virginia Independent Colleges and Universities, Inc. and on the Education Committee of the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce. 

Also active within the legal profession, Mr. Yurko has served as a member of the Board of Governors for the Young Lawyers Section of the West Virginia State Bar, as an Adjunct Professor and Lecturer of Law in Trial Advocacy at West Virginia University College of Law and as a member of the Board of Directors of the Harrison County Bar Association.  Mr. Yurko also serves on the Employment Law Committee for the West Virginia State Bar; is a member of the Center for Professional Responsibility of the American Bar Association, as well as a member of the Litigation Section and the Section of Labor and Employment Law of the American Bar Association; is a member of the National Association of College and University Attorneys; is a member of the Defense Research Institute and is a member of the West Virginia Defense Trial Counsel.  Mr. Yurko was named Lawyer Citizen of the Year by the West Virginia State Bar Foundation in 2002, and is recognized in The Best Lawyers in America in the field of labor and employment law.

EDUCATION

Mr. Yurko received his legal education and a masters degree in public administration from West Virginia University, where he was Senior Student Works Editor of the West Virginia Law Review.  He received his undergraduate education from the United States Air Force Academy.