THE CRIMINAL LAW CENTER - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Legal Secretary
- Brittany Whitmore Legal Secretary
Bio
Brittany Whitmore is a Legal Secretary at The Criminal Law Center who was born and raised in Martinsburg, West Virginia, and attended Martinsburg High School, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude.
Prior to becoming employed as the Legal Secretary for The Criminal Law Center, Brittany worked as a bank teller. Brittany has great interpersonal skills and works with our new clients, as well as our existing clients, and coordinates the calendar for all attorneys and legal assistants. In her spare time, Brittany enjoys dancing, arts and crafts, and was previously a youth football volunteer with the EPYFL Brown's organization.
Job Titles:
- Associate Attorney Mitigation Expert ( of Counsel )
- Dan Goldman Associate Attorney Mitigation Expert ( of Counsel )
Bio
Dan is an experienced criminal defense lawyer who has defended the most serious cases for over ten years. As the Capital Defender for Northern Virginia, Dan's practice focused entirely on the defense of death penalty
cases at trial and on appeal, avoiding death sentences for every client he represented. Building on that experience, Dan handles trial defense, appellate, and post-conviction representation in state and federal courts in West Virginia and in Virginia. Dan is committed to thorough pre-trial investigation, creative and relentless litigation, zealous trial defense, and creative post-conviction representation. Dan is a 2011 graduate of the Washington & Lee University School of Law where he was awarded the Oliver White Hill Law Student Pro Bono Award by the State Bar of Virginia. Dan is a member of the State Bars of West Virginia, Virginia, and Maryland, and is admitted in federal courts throughout the region.
Job Titles:
- Clerk
- Grayson Phillips Law Clerk
Job Titles:
- Senior Associate
- Jake Mills Senior Associate
Bio
Jacob W. Mills is a dynamic criminal defense litigator at the Criminal Law Center. His practice includes representing clients in Federal, State, and City Court cases involving misdemeanor and felony offenses.
Jake is a native of Martinsburg, West Virginia and grew up immersed in criminal defense, participating in numerous criminal trials with his dad and Founding Partner, Kevin D. Mills. This early passion led Jake to obtain a Juris Doctorate degree from Widener Commonwealth Law School in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, after receiving a Bachelors in Criminology at West Virginia University. While at law school, Jake was the President of the Trial Advocacy Society and a CALI award recipient.
The firm has gone through many iterations, but John has consistently been serving the needs of clients and Kevin's varied task list loyally and zealously since 1995.
Trained as an investigator for the secretary state treasury department and various in-service trainings over the years to hone his investigative skills, John has both the background and the mentality to get the "Ray Donovan" type extra mile tasks done.
While John is a private contractor, he is a valued and steady member the firm who regularly handles investigative background and case investigations, as well as assist with juror profiling study and selection as part of the criminal defense team in jury trials.
While not keeping his nose to the grind stone, John can be found with his wife of 20 years, Erin, and a variety of his favorite canine friends at his home in Falling Waters, West Virginia.
Job Titles:
- Legal Secretary
- Kaitlyn Mason Legal Secretary
Bio
Kaitlyn Mason is a Legal Secretary at The Criminal Law Center who was born and raised in Martinsburg, West Virginia. She spent her life immersed in the community through sports, religious organizations, and extracurricular activities.
Kaitlyn graduated Martinsburg High School, Summa Cum Lade and made the decision to stay in her community while studying at Blue Ridge Community College. Kaitlyn's caring, empathetic nature, and love of making an impact on the lives of others, makes her a perfect fit at our practice. The Criminal Law Center gives her an enjoyable and rewarding way to express her passions. In the office Kaitlyn spends her time catering to the needs of our clients, navigating through paperwork, and bringing joy to all she comes in contact with.
Bio
Kevin D. Mills was born in Queens, New York, and grew up in a Marine Corps family. His upbringing in a disciplined environment instilled in him a strong sense of duty and justice. After completing his education, he embarked on a legal career, starting as a criminal defense attorney at the esteemed law firm John Flowers Mark and William B. Moffitt in Alexandria, Virginia.
In 1989, fueled by his dedication to the field and his desire to make a difference, Mills founded the Criminal Law Center in Martinsburg, West Virginia. With a focus on criminal defense, Mills quickly gained a reputation for his exceptional skills in the courtroom. Throughout his career, he has successfully secured acquittals for his clients in numerous jury trials, proving his ability to navigate complex legal cases.
One of Mills' most notable achievements was in a high-profile first-degree murder case, where his client was accused of shooting the deceased in the back. The case seemed challenging to defend, but Mills' unwavering determination pushed him to do his best. During the trial, he skillfully cross-examined the renowned criminal forensic specialist, Dr. Henry Lee, ultimately winning a not guilty verdict. This particular case became a benchmark for Mills, demonstrating his prowess as a defense attorney.
In addition to his professional achievements, Mills has been happily married to Laura Lee Mills, the love of his life, for over 24 years. Together, they have four children named Jacob, Jordan, Olivia, and Christian. Mills prioritizes his role as a husband and father, dedicated to providing love, support, and guidance to his children.
Outside of the courtroom and family life, Mills has always been passionate about giving back to the community. For many years, he volunteered as a youth coach, mentoring and inspiring young individuals to pursue their dreams. Additionally, Mills is an active member of Crossroads Christian Church, where he finds spiritual solace and serves his community in various capacities.
Kevin D. Mills continues to lead the Criminal Law Center, utilizing his expertise and experience to represent clients both locally and nationwide. His relentless commitment to justice, coupled with his dedication to his family and community, makes him a respected figure in the legal profession.
Job Titles:
- Laura Mills Paralegal / Practice Manager
- Paralegal / Practice Manager
- Practice Manager and Lead Paralegal
Bio
Laura Lee Mills, born in Kingston, New York, is known for her multifaceted roles as a wife, mother, professional, and dedicated volunteer. Married to Kevin D. Mills, a prominent attorney from Martinsburg, West Virginia, Laura leads a fulfilling life, making a positive impact in various domains.
Professionally, Laura Mills serves as the practice manager and lead paralegal at the Criminal Law Center in Martinsburg, West Virginia. She earned her bachelor's degree from Shepherd University and has earned her certification as a paralegal, showcasing her expertise and commitment to her field. As the practice manager, Laura's organizational skills and attention to detail play a vital role in ensuring the efficient functioning of the law center.
Aside from her professional accomplishments, Laura's most significant role is that of a loving mother. Together with her husband, Kevin, Laura is proud to have raised four children - Jacob, Jordan, Olivia, and Christian Mills. Each of her children has flourished and achieved success in their respective endeavors, a testament to Laura's dedication and guidance as a parent.
Laura's commitment to her family extends beyond the home. Together with her husband, she has devoted numerous years to volunteering in youth sports. This selfless act demonstrates Laura's passion for nurturing the youth in her community, providing them with opportunities to excel and grow in athletic endeavors.
In addition to her professional and family life, Laura Mills proudly identifies as a Christian. Her faith is a source of strength and inspiration, guiding her actions and beliefs. Laura's commitment to her faith is reflected in her daily life, as she strives to live according to Christian principles of love, compassion, and service.
Job Titles:
- Senior Investigator
- a Contract Investigator
- Rick Johnson Senior Investigator
Bio
Rick has worked with The Criminal Law Center as a contract investigator since 2020. Formerly, Rick was an investigator for the public defender office of the state of Maryland 1985 to 2001.
Bio
Shawn McDermott is an experienced criminal defense attorney that has served the tristate area over past ten years. His passion has made him a veteran criminal defense lawyer dedicated to protecting the rights of American citizens.
During his practice in West Virginia, Shawn has sought to carry forward the principles of zealousness and justice espoused by Bill Moffitt. Shawn has sat first chair and second chair in numerous jury trials. Shawn has successfully won appeals in the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit and argued cases before the West Virginia Supreme Court.
The Criminal Law Center would like to honor Kevin D. Mills's mentor, William B. Moffitt. William Moffitt was a former National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyer and past president. He was not only a dear friend, but also a dedicated and brilliant attorney.