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 thirty years 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 $440,000 has been distributed and committed since the first grant in 2004, with just more than $425,000 occurring in just the past 11 years. It also selects the Bar Foundation Fellows, who are outstanding lawyers and members of the judiciary. Just less than 400 individuals have received this high honor out of more than 6,000 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. Ellen S. Cappellanti, 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. During 2019, the Bar Foundation Board of Directors made a third annual grant to the WV Judicial Lawyer Assistance Program (WVJLAP) of a total of five annual grants. Participating in the grant ceremony at the WV Supreme Court were, from left to right above, Bar Foundation Board member Christy Morris, WVJLAP Board Vice Chair Brad Sorrells, WV Supreme Court Chief Justice Beth Walker and WVJLAP Executive Director Robert Albury, Jr. The Bar Foundation grant will be used for planning programs and policies to benefit the members of the judiciary and the legal profession during their time of need.

Lawyer Leadership InstituteThe Bar Foundation hosted the eighth Lawyer Leadership Institute on May 10-12, at Stonewall Resort in Roanoke, WV. Pictured above are two of the excellent speakers, Brenda Waugh (Martinsburg) and Elliot Hicks (Charleston) as they make their presentation on Lawyer Wellbeing to the younger upcoming lawyer leaders who represented diverse law practices and came from various parts of the state. This always successful event was sponsored by Antero Resources. 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. The speakers are well known and well respected West Virginia judges and lawyers.

Lunch and LaughsIn September, 2018, the Eighth Lunch and Laughs With A Legal Legend was held at the Erickson Alumni Center In Morgantown with West Virginia Supreme Court Senior Status Justice Larry Starcher 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---Justice Starcher’s selections were the student legal clinics at the WVU College of Law and the J. R. Clifford Minority Scholarship---and Bar Foundation grants. The eight Lunches have contributed almost $75,000 in designated funds. Pictured above at the 2018 Lunch are WV Bar Foundation President Richard Ford, Jr., Attorney Kitty Dooley (MC), Justice Starcher, and the three Roasters-WV Supreme Court Chief Justice Margaret Workman, Retired WV Supreme Court Law Clerk Tom Rodd and Attorney Allan Karlin.

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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.

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