A man with a distinguished career, William J. Ihlenfeld II is on his second term as the Chief Federal Law Enforcement Official for the Northern District of West Virginia. His nomination was previously made by President Joseph R. Biden on August 10, 2021, which was subsequently confirmed by the U.S. Senate on October 5, 2021. Administered by U.S. District Judge Thomas S. Kleeh, William Ihlenfeld has taken the oath of office to become the United States Attorney for the Northern District of West Virginia on October 12, 2021. Top Federal Prosecutor Ihlenfeld replaced former Acting U.S. Attorney Randolph J. Bernard, who temporarily filled in the highest position in the office beginning on March 1, 2021, following the resignation of former U.S. Attorney William Powell.
Table of Contents
- Educational Background and Bar and Court Admissions
- Education
- Bar Associations
- Bar Admissions
- Court Admissions
- Legal Career of Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II
- Legal Internships and Early Professional Career
- Part-time Experience in Private Sector
- Office of the United States Attorney for the Northern District of West Virginia
- Private Practice
- Honors and Awards
- Significant Litigations as former U.S. Attorney and Plan of Action on Second Term
- 10 most significant litigated matters handled by Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II
- Memberships and Organizations
- Office Jurisdiction
- Contact Details
- Wheeling Branch
- Clarksburg Branch
- Elkins Branch
- Martinsburg Branch
- Press Inquiries
- Social Media Profiles of Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld II
Educational Background and Bar and Court Admissions
Holding a Bachelor of Science in Journalism degree, U.S. Attorney William Ihlendelf II graduated with Honors from Ohio University in June 1994. He then attended the West Virginia University College of Law and received his Juris Doctorate in May 1997. Five months later, U.S. Attorney William Ihlenfeld was admitted to the West Virginia State Bar and also then admitted to practice in the State of Ohio and Pennsylvania in July 2008 and May 2018, respectively.
Education
- West Virginia University College of Law, 1994-1997
J.D. – May 1997 - Ohio University, 1990-1994
Bachelor of Science in Journalism with Honors – June 1994
Bar Associations
- West Virginia State Bar
- West Virginia Bar Association
- Ohio County Bar Association
- Ohio State Bar
- Pennsylvania State Bar
- West Virginia Supreme Court “Committee for Creation of Model Criminal Jury Instructions”
- M.E. Lugar Trial Association at WVU College of Law (President, 1996-1997)
- Appalachian Center for Law and Public Service at WVU College of Law
- Pro Se Divorce Project at WVU College of Law
Bar Admissions
- West Virginia, October 1997
- Ohio, July 2008
- Pennsylvania, May 2018
Court Admissions
- Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia (October 1997)
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia (October 1997)
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia (May 1998)
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio (May 2017)
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio (April 2017)
- Supreme Court of Ohio (July 2008)
- Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, (May 2018)
Legal Career of Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II
Legal Internships and Early Professional Career
During the summer breaks in his final years in law school, Top Federal Prosecutor Ihlenfeld served as a Law Clerk at the Ohio County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. This internship earned him an advantage in becoming an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney at the Office of the Ohio County Prosecuting Attorney. In his first three years in the office, U.S. Attorney Ihlenfeld worked as a VAWA-funded domestic violence assistant prosecutor. He handled numerous cases in court nearly every day, collaborating with victims and witnesses to proceed with a case and earning a verdict. In 2001, Top Federal Prosecutor William Inhenfeld was named as the Chief Assistant Prosecutor in the Ohio County and was in charge of overseeing attorneys who worked on drug and violent crimes, which he also handled. On top of a full felony docket, U.S. Attorney Ihlenfeld dealt with matters involving asset forfeiture and appellate work. He appeared before the West Virginia Supreme Court on several occasions. In November 2007, U.S. Attorney Ihlenfeld was offered to serve as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney at the Brooke County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. Until August 2010, his legal practice focused on criminal cases involving felonies and juvenile docket.
Part-time Experience in Private Sector
While providing exceptional work as a part-time prosecutor in the Office of the Ohio County Prosecuting Attorney, and later, in the Office of the Brooke County Prosecuting Attorney, U.S. Attorney William Ihlenfeld maintained an active legal career as a part-time Member and Partner in the Ihlenfeld Law Office PLLC, from where he built his law profession. He served in the small law firm for nearly 13 years, from November 1997 to August 2010, where he managed to gain experience and learnings on litigations involving bankruptcy, complex consumer finance matters, consumer protection cases, real estate work, and many others.
Office of the United States Attorney for the Northern District of West Virginia
Top Federal Prosecutor William Ihlenfeld launched his legal career in the Office of the United States for the Northern District of West Virginia in August 2010, when he was appointed as the Chief Federal Law Enforcement Official for the district for the first time. In this capacity, he managed and supervised the office’s day-to-day operations while handling a number of cases on his own. During his term, his practice emphasized drug trafficking and white-collar criminal cases. Moreover, U.S. Attorney Ihlenfeld was also in charge of presenting matters to federal grand juries, as well as handling please and sentencings, in addition to trying cases to verdict and appearing before the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Private Practice
Creating a balance between working in private practice and serving in the government sector, U.S. Attorney Ihlenfeld rejoined the private sector after working in the federal government. He became a Partner at the Bailey Glasser LLP in January 2017, where he led the While Collar Practice Group until October 2019. His role in the law firm ranged from handling federal criminal matters to managing civil enforcement actions in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia. Additionally, as a Partner, he often represented individuals and corporations in investigation and prosecution, particularly governmental agencies, healthcare providers, and individuals in civil and criminal litigation. At the same time, U.S. Attorney Ihlenfeld juggled serving on the Criminal Justice Act Panel for the Southern District of West Virginia. Prior to being reappointed as the Chief Federal Law Enforcement Official for the Northern District of West Virginia, U.S. Attorney William Ihlenfeld II joined the Bowles Rice LLP as a full-time prosecutor. In this position, he became the White Collar Practice Group leader. He handled various healthcare cases with emphasis on the defense of criminal, civil, and regulatory matters, including Stark Law, claims Anti-Kickback, and health care fraud. United States Attorney Ihlenfeld has also served as a State Senator for the West Virginia Legislature since January 2019.
Honors and Awards
- Honored by the West Virginia University, Lawyers & Leaders, 2018
- Honored by the FBI-CJIS Citizens’ Academy for outstanding service in law enforcement, 2017
- Honored by Office of National Drug Control Policy for Outstanding Support to National HIDTA Program, 2017
- Honored by the Clarksburg Exponent as Public Servant of the Year, 2016
- Honored by Harrison County Prevention Partnership for service to the community in the area of drug prevention, 2015
- Honored with the Purple Ribbon Award by W.Va. Coalition Against Domestic Violence for visionary leadership in helping to end violence against women, 2014
- Honored by the FBI National Academy for contributions to the law enforcement community, 2011
- Honored by the Ohio County Deputy Sheriff’s Association for years of service as an assistant prosecuting attorney, 2010
- Honored by the Ohio Valley Drug Task Force for service to citizens of Ohio County, 2010
- Honored by Drug Enforcement Administration for outstanding contributions in drug law enforcement, 2004
- Wheeling Park High School “Alumnus of the Year”, 2003
- Honored by YWCA Family Violence Prevention Program for work as domestic violence prosecutor, 2001
- Member, Mountain Honorary at West Virginia University, 1996
With 13 years of experience as a state prosecutor and almost 17 years as a private practitioner, U.S. Attorney Ihlenfeld has the depth and breadth of experience in both criminal prosecutions and civil litigation in the private and government sector. Throughout his over two decades of being an attorney, U.S. Attorney Ihlenfeld has been recognized for his exceptional capacity. In 2001, he was honored by the YWCA Family Violence Prevention Program for his work as a domestic violence prosecutor. In 2004, he was recognized by the Drug Enforcement Administration for his outstanding contributions to drug law enforcement. In 2010, U.S. Attorney Ihlenfeld earned two awards from the Ohio Valley Drug Task Force for his service to the citizens of the Ohio County and from the Ohio County Deputy Sheriff’s Association for his years of service as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney. In recognition of his visionary leadership, U.S. Attorney Ihlenfeld also received the Purple Ribbon Award in 2014 from W.Va. Coalition Against Domestic Violence for his exceptional help in aiding the end of violence against women. The FBI National Academy also honored U.S. Attorney Ihlenfeld in 2011, for his contributions to the law enforcement community, and by the FBI-CJIS Citizens’ Academy in 2017, for his outstanding service in law enforcement. Furthering his accomplishments in the combat against drugs, U.S. Attorney Ihlenfeld was honored by the Harrison County Prevention Partnership for his drug prevention service to the community and by the Office of National Drug Control Policy for his outstanding support to National HIDTA Program in 2015 and 2017, respectively.
Significant Litigations as former U.S. Attorney and Plan of Action on Second Term
On his first term as the United States Attorney for the Northern District of West Virginia, Top Federal Prosecutor William Ihlenfeld investigated and prosecuted cases involving a British banking giant HSBC. The defendant allegedly failed to identify money laundering transactions that Mexican drug cartels and terror groups executed. Furthermore, U.S. Attorney Ihlenfeld represented a defendant in attaining a $150 million settlement against the McKesson Corporation over a case of suspicious filing of orders of painkillers from West Virginia pharmacies. Now on his second term as the Chief Federal Law Enforcement Official for the district, U.S. Attorney Ihlenfeld intends to prioritize prevention and prosecution of public corruption, continuing and improving his course of action from his first term in the position.
10 most significant litigated matters handled by Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II
- United States v. Barton Adams and Josephine Adams (2010 to 2014)
- State v. Jeffrey R. Woods & William R. Spears (2004 to 2005)
- State v. Yasser Abdelhaq (2003)
- United States v. Bernie Metz (2010 to 2011)
- State v. Ronald D. Reed, Sr (2004 to 2005)
- State v. Robert Padelski (2006)
- United States v. Jordan Laudermilt (2011 to 2013)
- State v. David Lee Hunter (2009 to 2010)
- United States v. Mario Blount (2014 to 2015)
- United States v. Michael John Jones (2012)
Further details regarding the above litigations may be found in the public questionnaire accessible here.
Memberships and Organizations
- West Virginia Coalition Against Domestic Violence (2017 – Present)
- Fraternal Order of Police Associates (approx. 2000 – 2010, 2017 – Present)
- Upper Ohio Valley Sexual Assault Help Center (2016 – Present)
- Board of Directors (May 2016 – Present)
- Oglebay Institute (approx. 2005 – 2018)
- Stone Presbyterian Church (approx. 2008 – 2016)
- Deacon (approx. January 2015 – December 2016)
- YMCA of Wheeling (approx. 2008 – 2014)
- Seeing Hand Association, Inc. (2002 – 2010)
- Vice-Chairman (approx. January 2009 – August 2010)
- Mountaineers on Wall Street Investment Club (1999 – 2010)
- President (approx. January 2009 – December 2009)
- Treasurer (approx. January 2008 – December 2008)
- Ohio County Board of Education Comprehensive Educational Facilities Plan
- Advisory Committee (2009 – 2010)
- Wheeling Touchdown Club Foundation, Inc. (2009 – 2010)
- President (approx. January 2009 – August 2010)
- West Virginia Association for Justice (approx. 2000 – 2010)
- Vance Memorial Presbyterian Church (approx. 2000 – 2008)
- Wheeling Rotary Club (2000 – 2002)
- YWCA Family Violence Prevention Program Board of Directors (approx. 2001)
- WTRF Media Advisory Board (approx. 2000)
- West Virginia University Alumni Association (approx. 1998 – 2006)
- Beta Theta Pi Fraternity, Ohio University (1991 – 1994)
United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld is also a man with extensive organizational work. For several years, he served as an executive board member of the West Virginia Coalition Against Domestic Violence and has also been a worker at the Upper Ohio Valley Sexual Assault Help Center. In addition, he has been a member of the Board of Directors at the YWCA Family Violence Prevention Program and in the Seeing Hand Association, Inc.
Office Jurisdiction
Two-time top-ranking federal law enforcement official in the Northern District of West Virginia, U.S. Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld II, leads a staff of approximately 53 employees, consisting of 24 Assistant U.S. Attorneys and 28 support personnel. The Office of the United States Attorney for the Northern District of West Virginia has three staffed branches located in Clarksburg, Elkins, and Martinsburg, West Virginia, with the main branch located in Wheeling. United States Attorney William Ihlenfeld II has the duty to oversee and manage the offices as they serve and protect the residents of the Northern District of West Virginia through prosecuting federal crimes, handling civil litigations, and representing the United States in affirmative civil actions, as well as through collecting debts owed to the United States.
Contact Details
Full Name: William Joseph Ihlenfeld, II
District/State: Northern District of West Virginia
Public email ID: N/A
Wheeling Branch
Frederick P. Stamp, Jr. Federal Building and the United States Courthouse
Suite 3000
1125 Chapline Street
Wheeling, WV 26003
(304) 234-0100
Main
(304) 234-0110
Fax
(800) 852-6946
Toll-Free
Clarksburg Branch
Clarksburg Federal Building
320 W. Pike Street
Suite 300
Clarksburg, WV 26301
(304) 623-7030
Main
(304) 304-234-0110
Fax
Elkins Branch
Federal Building
300 Third Street
Suite 300
Elkins, WV 26241
(304) 636-1739
Main
(304) 234-0110
Fax
Martinsburg Branch
U.S. Courthouse & Post Office
Suite 400
217 W. King Street
Martinsburg, WV 25401
(304) 262-0590
Main
(304) 234-0110
Fax
Press Inquiries
Stacy Bishop
Public Affairs Specialist
(304) 234-0100
Main
Stacy.Bishop@usdoj.gov
Email Address
Social Media Profiles of Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld II
Username: William Ihlenfeld
URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-ihlenfeld-331894197/details/experience/
Username: N/A
URL: N/A
YouTube
Username: USAO-NDWV
URL: https://www.youtube.com/c/usaondwv
Username: NDWVnews
Tag: @NDWVnews
URL: https://twitter.com/NDWVnews
Updated: March 15, 2022