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

Message from the President - Jodie M. BoylenOn 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. Jodie M. Boylen, President

Bar Foundation GrantsThe WV Bar Foundation's Board of Directors continues to pursue its mission of improving the administration of justice by providing a grant to the WV Child Advocacy Network (WVCAN) to convene two statewide summits for services to child abuse victims. Pictured at the WVCAN office in Charleston, are Steve White, Bar Foundation Immediate Past President, and Emily Crittenden-Laird, WVCAN Executive Director.

Lawyer Leadership InstituteThe WV Bar Foundation held its highly acclaimed 5th Lawyer Leadership Institute at Stonewall Resort in May, 2016. Pictured above is one of the expert speakers, U.S. District Court Judge John Bailey, discussing leadership matters with the group of younger lawyer leaders from across the state and with differing law practices.

Lunch and LaughsThe 6th Lunch and Laughs With a Legal Legend continued the excellent tradition of having a large crowd of judges, lawyers and community leaders honor a legendary figure in the justice system with humorous stories and anecdotes with the proceeds dedicated to a charitable endeavor and for Bar Foundation grants. Robert M. “Bob” Steptoe, Jr., a well known and well respected attorney from Bridgeport, was the honoree for the event held on September 9, 2016, at the Erickson Alumni Center in Morgantown. Pictured above are the head table participants, from left to right, WVU Provost and Master of Ceremonies Joyce McConnell, Bob Steptoe, WV Bar Foundation President Jodie Boylen, and the friendly roasters-Attorney Susan Brewer and business entrepreneurs Ben Hardesty and Jack Keeley.

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-202-Bar Foundation President Ken Gray
  BAR FOUNDATION PRESIDENT KEN GRAY The WV Bar Foundation Board of Directors is pleased to announce the election of Ken Gray of Morgantown, pictured above, to serve as President for the 2017-18 fiscal year. Ken, a Bar Foundation Fellow, achieved a successful career in the U. S. Army with many highlights, including being selected as the […]
- Bar Brief-201-Successful Lawyer Leadership Institute
  SUCCESSFUL LAWYER LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE The 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 […]
- Bar Brief-200-Success in Law School
  SUCCESS IN LAW SCHOOL During the 19th Bar Foundation Fellows Dinner on April 27, outstanding remarks were made by Jackson Butler, a third year law student at WVU College of Law. Pictured above after the Dinner are, from left to right, WVU Law School Dean Gregory Bowman, Bar Foundation President Jodie Boylen and […]

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Tinderbox
- Successful Lawyer Leadership Institute
  SUCCESSFUL LAWYER LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE The 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 […]
- Bar Foundation Fellows Dinner
  BAR FOUNDATION FELLOWS DINNER The 19th Annual Bar Foundation Fellows Dinner will be held on Thursday, April 27, 2017, at the Marriott Hotel in Charleston. The criteria for Bar Foundation Fellows is those judges and lawyers whose professional, public and private careers have demonstrated outstanding dedication to the welfare of their communities and honorable service to […]
- WV Bar Foundation Grants
  WV BAR FOUNDATION GRANTS The mission of the WV Bar Foundation is to improve the administration of justice and the provision of legal services for the state’s citizens. The Bar Foundation Board of Directors focuses on providing grants to worthwhile non-profit entities in order to meet the mission. Since making its first grant […]

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