The West Virginia Bar Foundation - The Philanthropic Organization For West Virginia's Legal Profession and Justice

Message from the PresidentOn behalf of the West Virginia Bar Foundation and its Board of Directors, we welcome you to our website. We are very pleased that the Bar Foundation has celebrated more than a quarter century of service since its incorporation as a non-profit charitable entity here in West Virginia on December 30, 1988. The Bar Foundation, the philanthropic organization for the legal profession and justice system in West Virginia, has several responsibilities and programs in which it is involved. Its primary mission is to make grants to organizations that provide legal services to low income citizens and that improve the administration of justice, including the Public Service Scholarship to a worthy student at the West Virginia University College of Law. More than $330,000 has been distributed and committed since the first grant in 2004, with more than $315,000 occurring in just the past 8 years. It also selects the Bar Foundation Fellows, who are outstanding lawyers and members of the judiciary. Just more than 300 individuals have received this high honor out of more than 5,000 judges and lawyers in the state of West Virginia. The Fellows have joint activities with the state’s members of the American Bar Foundation Fellows, since most ABF Fellows are also WV Bar Foundation Fellows. In addition, the Bar Foundation sponsors programs and activities relating to the legal system, such as the very successful fundraiser, “Lunch and Laughs with a Legal Legend” and the Lawyer Leadership Institute for newer lawyers. Our fifteen member Board, a diverse group of lawyers and members of the judiciary from all parts of the state and all types of law practice, governs in a most effective and efficient manner by instituting the necessary plans and policies for our striving organization. As an IRS Section 501(c)(3) approved charitable entity, the Bar Foundation accepts tax deductible donations that enable our organization to meet its important responsibilities and opportunities. Our annual independent audit and Form 990 are placed on this website for your review. We encourage you to become a regular and frequent user of our fine website to learn more about the important services and benefits of our organization. Thank you for your cooperation and consideration. Kenneth D. Gray, President

Bar Foundation GrantsThe Bar Foundation Grants program is utilized to meet the mission of improving the administration of justice and the provision of legal services. A grant was provided to Philanthropy WV, the statewide organization for private, corporate, family and community foundations, which was utilized to employ third year law student Jackson Butler to serve as its Legal & Policy Fellow. He expressed his appreciation and gratitude for the opportunity to use his skills and talents in philanthropic endeavors, including the re-authorization of the tax credit system for taxpayers who make charitable contributions. His unique experience making presentations to members of the U.S. Congress and their staffs helped achieve the important results. Pictured above are, from left to right, WVU Law School Dean Gregory Bowman, Bar Foundation Immediate Past President Jodie Boylen and Jackson Butler.

Lawyer Leadership InstituteThe Bar Foundation hosted the sixth Lawyer Leadership Institute on May 19-21, at Stonewall Resort in Roanoke, WV. Pictured above is U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael Aloi, on the left, interacting with the younger upcoming lawyer leaders during his presentation to them. This year's successful event was sponsored by Antero Resources Corporation with the valuable assistance of its Vice President of Government Relations, Kevin Ellis, Esq. The Institute's objective is to provide newer lawyers with specific education and professional training that will enable them to become leaders in the legal profession, in their communities and in the State.

Lunch and LaughsIn September, 2017, the Seventh Lunch and Laughs was held at the Erickson Alumni Center In Morgantown with West Virginia University Provost Joyce McConnell as the honored guest. The “friendly roasts” are well attended and highly anticipated annual events for members of the judiciary, the legal profession and the general public. The net funds generated at the Lunch are divided between the honoree’s designated charity---Provost McConnell selection was the student legal clinics at the WVU College of Law---and Bar Foundation grants. The seven Lunches have contributed more than $65,000 in designated funds. Pictured above at the 2017 Lunch are WVU President Gordon Gee (Roaster), Attorney Ellen Cappellanti (Roaster), Federal Judge Irene Keeley (MC), Provost McConnell, WV Bar Foundation President Ken Gray and WVU Professor John Taylor (Roaster).

Grants
The Bar Foundation provides grants to worthwhile charitable entities that improve the administration of justice and the provision of legal services for the men, women and children in West Virginia. Grant applications are considered during the quarterly meetings of the Board of Directors. Please review the grant form here.

Bar Briefs
- Bar Brief-223-Law Students’ Perspectives
  LAW STUDENTS’ PERSPECTIVES The previous Bar Brief informed you of the significant grant that was designated by WVU Provost Joyce McConnell, who was the honoree for the Lunch and Laughs With a Legal Legend event that was held last fall in Morgantown. The net proceeds from the successful “friendly roast” were equally divided between the […]
- Bar Brief 222-Law Student Legal Clinics
  LAW STUDENT LEGAL CLINICS WVU Provost Joyce McConnell was the honoree for the Lunch and Laughs With a Legal Legend event that was held last fall in Morgantown. The net proceeds from the successful “friendly roast” are equally divided between the Provost’s favorite charitable activity and Bar Foundation grants to improve the administration of justice. […]
- Bar Brief 221-Spirit of Excellence Award
  SPIRIT OF EXCELLENCE AWARD WV Bar Foundation President Ken Gray (Morgantown) received the highly prestigious Spirit of Excellence Award for his commitment to racial and ethnic diversity in the legal profession during the American Bar Association meeting in February. The Award, which is presented by the ABA’s Commission on Racial and Ethnic Diversity in the […]

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Tinderbox
- 2018 Bar Foundation Fellows
  2018 BAR FOUNDATION FELLOWS The WV Bar Foundation Board of Directors, consisting of two judges and thirteen lawyers from all parts of the state and all types of law practice, announces the 20th class of Bar Foundation Fellows! The criteria for Bar Foundation Fellows is those judges and lawyers whose professional, public and private careers […]
- A Good Time For A Good Cause!
  The 7th Lunch and Laughs With a Legal Legend was held on Friday, September 15, in Morgantown with the honoree being WVU Provost and former WVU College of Law Dean Joyce McConnell. Before a set crowd of more than 125 people, Federal Court Judge Irene Keeley, serving as Master of Ceremonies, introduced WV Bar Foundation […]
- Annual Report-July 1, 2016-June 30, 2017
  WEST VIRGINIA BAR FOUNDATION ANNUAL REPORT JULY 1-2016-JUNE 30, 2017 Sixth Lunch and Laughs With a Legal Legend-September 9, 2016-Robert M. Steptoe, Jr. as the honoree that have generated more than $57,000 for law student scholarships. Nineteenth Bar Foundation Fellows Dinner-April 26, 2017 Sixteen honorees who join approximately 300 outstanding judges and lawyers […]

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