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 Laughs The 5th 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. WVU President E. Gordon Gee, serving his second term in that capacity after tenures as the Dean and a Professor at the WVU College of Law, was the honoree for the event held on September 11, 2015, at the Erickson Alumni Center in Morgantown. Pictured above are the head table participants, from left to right, Emeritus Professor of Law and Master of Ceremonies Jack Bowman, Emeritus Dean of the Law School John Fisher, President Gee, WV Bar Foundation President Ancil Ramey, Student Government Vice President Ashley Morgan and Student Government President George Capel.

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-182-Lunch and Laughs-This Friday
  LUNCH AND LAUGHS- THIS FRIDAY LUNCH AND LAUGHS-THIS FRIDAY A big crowd of judges, lawyers and community leaders will be attending the 6th Lunch and Laughs With A Legal Legend on this coming Friday, September 9, 2016, at the Erickson Alumni Center in Morgantown, beginning at 11:30 AM, where the honored guest […]
- Bar Brief-181-Lunch and Laughs Deadline-9/1/16
  Subject: Bar Brief-181-Lunch and Laughs Deadline-9/1/16 LUNCH AND LAUGHS DEADLINE-9/1/16 LUNCH AND LAUGHS DEADLINE-9/1/16 The deadline to register is THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 1, for the 6th Lunch and Laughs With A Legal Legend on Friday, September 9, 2016, at the Erickson Alumni Center in Morgantown, beginning at 11:30 AM, where the […]
- Bar Brief-180-New Largest Donation Ever
  NEW LARGEST DONATION EVER The WV Bar Foundation Board of Directors expresses its utmost appreciation to Steve White of Charleston (pictured above) for his very significant donation to support its mission to improve the administration of justice and the provision of legal services to WV’s citizens. Steve is a former Bar Foundation President, who just completed six years […]

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Tinderbox
- Lunch and Laughs-September 9-Robert M. “Bob” Steptoe, Jr.
  The three Roasters and the Master of Ceremonies are on board for the 6th Lunch and Laughs With A Legal Legend on Friday, September 9, 2016, at the Erickson Alumni Center in Morgantown, beginning at 11:30 AM, where the honored guest will be well known and well respected attorney, Robert M. “Bob” Steptoe, Jr. The “friendly” […]
- Annual Report-2015-16
  WEST VIRGINIA BAR FOUNDATION 2015-16 ANNAL REPORT Lunch and Laughs With a Legal Legend honoring WVU President Gee—the five annual events have generated more than $50,000 for law student scholarships. Bar Foundation Fellows Dinner where a distinguished group of two judges and twenty lawyers were inducted into membership. Lawyer Leadership Institute with ten diverse […]
- A Judge And Three Lawyers
  In just the past two weeks, a Judge and three lawyers have made tax deductible contributions to the WV Bar Foundation’s Justice Fund which makes grants to worthwhile state organizations to improve the administration of justice and the provision of legal services to WV’s men, women and children. These fine philanthropic leaders are: Judge John Bailey-Wheeling […]

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