Story by Paul Darst

CHARLESTON Michael Basile sees West Virginia's glass as half full.

Although the Mountain State has obstacles to overcome, the state is poised for great things, he said.

"West Virginia has a glaringly bright future, if we its citizenry stop squabbling and instead pull as one," Basile said. "I believe that our economic development focus should be placed on the energy industry defined broadly to include a more diversified portfolio ... as well as the value-added industries. West Virginia should be thought of as the 'New, New Middle East.'"

Basile is managing member of the Spilman Thomas & Battle PLLC law firm in Charleston, which has experienced a lot of growth the past few years. He also is active in several state and local organizations geared toward making the state better.

Charting His Course

Although Basile has found a rewarding career in law, that was not his first choice, he said.

"My father was a businessman who founded a NASDAQ-traded electronics company," Basile said. "I was intent on following in his footsteps and wanted to obtain an MBA toward (that) end, but switched course after witnessing the last aggressive market oscillations in '87. A J.D. is a wonderful utility degree and virtually economy proof."

Basile received his bachelor of science degree in finance from West Virginia University in 1987. In 1991, he earned a law degree from the University of Pittsburgh.

After law school, Basile went to work for former state Attorney General Mario Palumbo. After serving as general counsel for the West Virginia Development Office, he became associate general counsel and later general counsel and deputy chief of staff for former Gov. Gaston Caperton.

He joined Spilman in January 1997. He became managing member in July 2004. Prior to that, he was member in charge of client relations, an experience that has served him well, he said.

"My last management role provided a phenomenal foundation," Basile said. "In the service sector, knocking down walls in the service of clients is the name of the game. We mentor our lawyers along said lines."

Today, Basile focuses his practice on state and local government, community relations, business, land-use planning and administrative law.

Firm Growth

During the past five years, Spilman has seen a lot of growth. The firm now has six offices Charleston, Morgantown, Wheeling, Pittsburgh, Winston-Salem, N.C., and Roanoke, Va.

"It has not been growth for growth's sake," Basile said.

"We have defined a clear, progressive strategic plan that articulates and justifies footprint expansion beyond West Virginia into North Carolina, Virginia and Pennsylvania. And we are supporting firm growth into these strategic markets atop a foundation of support systems ... housed here in Charleston. I refer to this concept as 'Bangalore meeting Bentonville,' drawing upon content from Tom Friedman's 'The World is Flat' best-seller."

Attracting quality attorneys has been one of the challenges Basile has faced, he said. The firm has done so by using an unconventional approach.

"... Spilman's business model is the antithesis of the traditional lock-step, closed partnership embraced by most of our competitors," he said.

"Spilman's open, progressive model attracts top-tier talent and is particularly attractive to younger professionals. Over the last few years, we have added many amazing lawyers to an already talented team. This said, first and foremost, it is truly a special group of human beings who care about their clients, as well as one another."

The firm will not pursue one approach to grow the firm, Basile said.

"We won't grow by acquisition or cobble together lawyers of divergent backgrounds/mindsets," he said.

"We will continue to build out our regional strategy by adding quality professionals who embrace our business model, commitment to service and firm spirit."

Helping the State

When he's not busy managing the law firm, Basile has a number of other ways to keep busy. He is involved with several community service organizations that work to make West Virginia a better place.

"I attempt to focus my bandwidth on organizations that focus their bandwidth on keeping our bright and innovative citizens in West Virginia, as well as capturing/importing the bright and innovative," he said.

"Vision Shared and the Charleston Area Alliance are both prime examples of such entities. I am convinced that this form of strategic philanthropy should be our primary focus if we want West Virginia to have a prosperous future."

Basile was elected Oct. 29 as chairman of one of the Alliance's component organizations, the Charleston Chamber of Commerce. And he will continue to serve as secretary of the Alliance.

Basile is a co-leader of Vision Shared. Having him in that position has been a big help to the organization, said Juliet A. Terry, president.

"Mike Basile is a true champion for West Virginia business," she said. "He works tirelessly on behalf of his clients, Vision Shared and the entire state of West Virginia to make it as prosperous as possible so it can grow."

In addition to Vision Shared and the Charleston Area Alliance, Basile also is involved with Discover the Real West Virginia, a private, nonprofit economic development organization, and the Young Presidents' Organization, a leadership development organization.

His innovation has been invaluable to the Charleston Area Alliance, said Matt Ballard, president. Basile has what he calls "a global business perspective of the state."

"He's somebody who seeks value in everything," Ballard said. "... He's not just thinking as he should be about himself and his company, but he's really looking at how what he's involved in is good for the community and the state."

But Basile is careful to not overextend himself, he said.

"I have actually reduced my affiliations in recent years and correspondingly ratcheted up direct, hands-on participation with the above listed entities," Basile said.

Terry said she is glad to have him so actively involved with her organization.

"As one of the visionaries of Vision Shared, he has volunteered countless hours and partnered with others, all to ... improve the quality of life for all in West Virginia," she said.

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