About the Firm
Started as O’Brien & O’Brien in 1903, Cassidy, Cogan, Shapell & Voegelin, L.C. employs six attorneys and seven staff members. The firm primarily represents employees, professionals, and small businesses in employment and workplace-related civil rights claims. The firm is also engaged in a wide general practice, and emphasizes protecting the jobs and careers of its clients.
Areas of Practice
WE’RE PRIMARILY ENGAGED IN THE REPRESENTATION OF INDIVIDUALS AND PROFESSIONALS IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS:
Whistleblower Protection
We handle claims of retaliation for reporting illegal workplace activity.
Discrimination Law
We handle claims of workplace discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, and national origin.
Disability Discrimination
We represent disabled employees in the workplace and help students with disabilities to receive FAPE (fair and appropriate public education).
Civil Rights Litigation
We handle disputes for individuals, professionals, and businesses involving government over-reach.
Union Representation
We represent a number of unions in employment relations matters.
Wrongful Termination
We handle claims of wrongful termination from employment for employees based on contract, statutory law, and public policy in the private and public sectors.
Pension Disputes
We handle conflict over payments made to retirees through their pension funds.
Education Law
We represent families in disputes with school districts to ensure FAPE (fair and appropriate public education).
Social Security Disability/SSI
We handle Disability Insurance and Supplemental Security Income claims.
Worker’s Compensation
We represent employees injured on the job including wage replacement, loss compensation, medical expense reimbursement, and benefits.
Sexual Harassment
We handle claims of unlawful harassment of a person (an applicant or employee) because of that person’s sex.
WE ALSO REPRESENT CLIENTS IN A WIDE SPECTRUM OF OTHER AREAS, INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING:
Serious Injury
Wrongful Death
Medical Malpractice
Insurance Disputes
Criminal
Trials and Appeals†
Real Estate
Wills and Estates
Oil and Gas Royalty Issues
Construction Disputes
Parents and Special Education Students
†OUR ATTORNEYS ARE ADMITTED TO PRACTICE IN THE FOLLOWING COURTS AS LISTED BELOW:
West Virginia
Patrick S. Cassidy
Timothy F. Cogan
Irvin N. Shapell
Wray V. Voegelin
William C. Gallagher
Thomas M. Cunningham
Ohio
Patrick S. Cassidy
Timothy F. Cogan
Thomas M. Cunningham
District of Columbia
Irvin N. Shapell
Meet Our Attorneys

PATRICK S. CASSIDY
Mr. Cassidy is a 1966 graduate of Madonna High School Weirton, West Virginia, and obtained his B.A. degree in philosophy from Wheeling College in 1970. He received a Juris Doctor degree in 1973 from the Columbus School of Law at the Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C. …
IRVIN N. SHAPELL
Irvin Shapell focuses his practice on the areas of employment law, medical malpractice, and litigation. In addition, he represents families of children with disabilities in the areas of special education and civil rights …
WILLIAM C. GALLAGHER
William Gallagher, a native of Worcester, Massachusetts, received his B.A. in English from the College of the Holy Cross in 1970. He received his Juris Doctor degree from Catholic University of America in 1974. Mr. Gallagher’s practice focuses on representing injured workers in the West Virginia …
TIMOTHY F. COGAN
Born in Cleveland, Timothy Cogan is a graduate of Wheeling College (B.A. in history, ‘69), now Wheeling Jesuit University, where he was a member of Alpha Sigma Nu, the National Jesuit Honor Society; of Ohio University (M.A. in history, ‘70); and West Virginia University, where he received his law degree …
WRAY V. VOEGELIN
Wray Voegelin, born in Middletown, New York, received his B.A. in Political Science and Economics in 1977 from New York State University at New Paltz. He received his law degree in 1982 from West Virginia University College of Law. There he was editor of the Coal Issue of the WV Law Review …
THOMAS M. CUNNINGHAM
Mr. Cunningham’s workplace practice focus is predominately on pension and other employee benefits. He represents claimants including class-action plaintiffs for ERISA claims including against pension plans, retirement plans, and welfare plans including long-term disability (LTD) plans …