Inside Look Into the Dispute
- A once-prominent Charleston legal partnership crumbles amid claims that attorney Chase Neely vanished, leaving critical firm matters—and his partner—in the dark.
- Court records reveal Neely was found in contempt, failed to respond to court orders, and allegedly concealed these issues from co-partner Michael Callaghan.
- Callaghan is seeking damages and accountability, while expressing personal sorrow over the collapse of a firm once anchored by trust and mutual respect.
By Samuel Lopez – USA Herald
CHARLESTON, W.Va. – In a twist that has sent ripples through Charleston’s legal community, veteran attorney Michael O. Callaghan has filed a blistering complaint against his former law partner, Charles W. “Chase” Neely, son of the late West Virginia Supreme Court Justice Richard Neely. The filing in Kanawha Circuit Court exposes the painful unraveling of a prominent law partnership that began with promise and legacy—but ended in silence and litigation.
Callaghan, a former federal prosecuting attorney, and Richard Neely co-founded Neely & Callaghan in 2007. For more than 13 years, their collaboration was marked by mutual respect and professional synergy. After Richard Neely’s passing in 2020, Callaghan and Chase Neely continued the firm’s work, ostensibly as equal partners—though, as the complaint notes, no formal partnership agreement existed.
According to court documents and Callaghan’s statements to local media, the working relationship took a dark turn. “Actually, this one is just sad to me,” Callaghan told The West Virginia Record. “Chase disappeared on me. I had a great partnership with his father Richard for over 13 years. I just want to close out the partnership equitably.”
The complaint alleges that while the firm had no written partnership agreement, both Callaghan and Neely agreed to split overhead costs and collaborated on both joint and individual cases. But trouble surfaced last December when Kanawha Circuit Judge Tera Salango found Neely in contempt in a case where he was representing plaintiffs. The court order instructed Callaghan—previously uninvolved in the matter—to inform clients and appear at a status conference.
It was only at this point, Callaghan claims, that he learned of his partner’s alleged misconduct. The order stated Neely had failed to comply with a mediation directive despite repeated efforts from the mediator, and then failed to attend a show cause hearing about his actions. The judge’s frustration was palpable—she notified the state Office of Disciplinary Counsel regarding Neely’s conduct.
Left to salvage the case, Callaghan stepped in, managed the necessary work, and ultimately secured a favorable settlement for the clients. Throughout, the complaint asserts, Neely provided “no assistance,” ignored all attempts at contact, and refused to release the case file—actions Callaghan now characterizes as abandonment and a breach of professional duty.
Even more troubling for Callaghan: his repeated efforts to reach Neely through family and friends have met a wall of silence. “Chase disappeared on me,” he reiterated. “Chase shut down and has not communicated with me in a long time. I really hope he is OK, but I have no way to know.”
The legal and emotional turmoil soon took on a financial dimension. To properly wind down the firm, Callaghan hired an accounting firm to assess the partnership’s financials. The resulting report showed Neely’s share of the firm at a negative $277,757—a deficit Callaghan communicated to Neely, his mother, and his brother. Yet, according to Callaghan, Neely has refused both payment and communication.
The lawsuit accuses Neely of breach of fiduciary duties, negligence, and outright abandonment of his responsibilities. Callaghan is seeking compensatory damages for monetary losses. The filing also seeks court costs, attorney fees, expert witness costs, and pre-judgment interest.
For Callaghan, the legal drama is underscored by genuine grief. “The whole situation is very sad for me. I loved Richard and, despite both of our strong personalities, we never had a cross word or raised our voice against each other the whole time we were partners. This is just a sad ending to that great partnership.”
While winding down Neely & Callaghan, Callaghan has already established his new venture—Callaghan Legal PLLC—hoping to move forward even as he seeks closure and compensation for the partnership’s collapse. The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Dave Hardy and is expected to draw ongoing attention as the legal proceedings unfold.
The disintegration of Neely & Callaghan raises larger issues about the importance of transparency, communication, and fiduciary duty in legal partnerships. The lack of a formal partnership agreement—often overlooked when relationships are amicable—may now serve as a cautionary tale for legal professionals nationwide.
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