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 $415,000 has been distributed and committed since the first grant in 2004, with just more than $400,000 occurring in just the past 10 years. It also selects the Bar Foundation Fellows, who are outstanding lawyers and members of the judiciary. Just more than 340 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. Richard E. Ford, Jr., 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, 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.

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-250-Large Crowd For Dinner
  LARGE CROWD FOR DINNER More than 150 judges, lawyers and their guests are registered for the 21st Annual Bar Foundation Fellows Dinner on Thursday, April 25, at the Charleston Marriott Hotel. Seventeen excellent members of West Virginia’s judiciary and the legal profession will be honored during the event. The criteria for Bar Foundation Fellows is […]
- Bar Brief-249-Academic Support Grants
  ACADEMIC SUPPORT GRANT Last year, the Bar Foundation made a grant to Child Protect of Mercer County for necessary services to children “to improve the strength, resilience and character…through character building workshops, addressing basic needs and providing academic support to be successful in school.” Pictured above are two of the 83 children in the local […]
- Bar Brief-248-WVJLAP Grant
  WVJLAP GRANT Last week, the Bar Foundation made a grant to the WV Judicial Lawyer Assistance Program (WVJLAP) in the amount of $5,000. This is the third annual grant with the Bar Foundation Board of Directors committing a total of five annual grants for $25,000. Participating in the grant ceremony at the WV Supreme Court […]

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Tinderbox
- Lawyer Leadership Institute-May 10-12, 2019
  The 8th Lawyer Leadership Institute, sponsored by Antero Resources, is set for May 10-12, 2019, at Stonewall Resort near Weston. The Institute is a weekend session 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. […]
- Bar Foundation Fellows Dinner
  The WV Bar Foundation Board of Directors, consisting of three judges and twelve lawyers from all parts of the state and all types of law practice, announces the 21st class of Bar Foundation Fellows! The criteria for Bar Foundation Fellows is those judges and lawyers whose professional, public and private careers have demonstrated outstanding dedication […]
- Public Service Scholarships
  PUBLIC SERVICE SCHOLARSHIPS The Bar Foundation Board of Directors is pleased to announce that its Public Service Scholarship has been equally divided between two outstanding first year students at the WVU College of Law, both of whom are from right here in West Virginia. James Jolly, the Director of Marketing and Communications at the Law School […]

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