PRESIDENT’S PAGE

On 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 thirty-five 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. Almost $515,000 has been distributed and committed since the first grant in 2004, with more than $500,000 occurring in just the past 13 years.

In 2021, the Bar Foundation’s Justice Fund, which is its endowment fund, exceeded $1 million due to an extraordinary gift from an Anonymous Donor. The Justice Fund provides a continuous stream of funding for Bar Foundation grants.

The Bar Foundation Board of Directors also selects the Bar Foundation Fellows, who are outstanding lawyers and members of the judiciary. Approximately 400 individuals have received this high honor out of more than 7,000 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.

Teresa Dumire, Esq. – President