CASA GRANT

      In 2016, the WV Bar Foundation Board of Directors was very pleased to provide a Bar Foundation grant to the Court Appointed Special Advocates of the Eastern Panhandle (CASA-EP) to support an innovative Fostering Futures program. Pictured above with Circuit Court Judge Michael Lorensen of Martinsburg are members of a class of CASA volunteers after they completed their special training program.

      CASA programs were initiated here in WV approximately 20 years ago to provide trained volunteers to assist the judiciary in cases involving child abuse and neglect. These valuable efforts are now being utilized in many counties in our state and the WV Bar Foundation has made grants in the past for this important service.

      CASA-EP proposed a Bar Foundation grant focused on the specific needs of older children, aged 14-21 years, to “support a successful transition for older at-risk youth to have a better chance at a productive adulthood.”As stated by Ms. Vicki L. Barnard, CASA-EP Executive Director, “The WV Bar Foundation grant provided seed money for a very successful and productive program enhancement in the Fostering Families trained CASA.”

        Forty-one youth, aged 14-21 years, were served by twelve CASA volunteers in the Fostering Families program with the following results:

              100% remained enrolled in school

              17% increased GPA (grade point average)

              60% maintained GPA

              23% decreased GPA

               3% demonstrated interest in higher education

         Because of the success of this new endeavor—“This is an initiative that will be continued…” according to Executive Director Barnard.

         Because of YOUR interest and support, the Bar Foundation was able to assist our at-risk young people—-Thank You!

          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 the legal profession with the individuals selected reflecting the diverse nature of the legal profession in West Virginia.

          There have been just more than 300 lawyers and judges selected as Fellows over the years out of more than 5,000 judges and lawyers here in WV.

          The members of this year’s class of outstanding individuals are:

Rob Aliff-Charleston
Marty Becker-Jupiter, FL
Sam Byrer-Charles Town
George Cosenza-Parkersburg
Teresa Dumire-Morgantown
John File-Beckley
Lester “Ted” Hess-Wheeling
Jim Lees-Charleston
Charlie Lorensen-Charleston
Duke McDaniel-Petersburg
Christopher Plybon-Huntington
Terry Reed-Buckhannon
Dale Steager-Charleston
Rebecca Tinder-Charleston
Tomas Vernon-Charleston
Judge Christopher Wilkes-Martinsburg
Richard “Dink” Yurko-Bridgeport

         The well received event (black tie optional) begins at 6:00PM and the cost is $150 per person or $1,500 for a table of ten persons. The majority of the amount is tax deductible and the net proceeds from the Dinner are used for Bar Foundation grants to improve the administration of justice in the state.

           Please contact Tom Tinder to make your reservations—(304)-343-9823, tom@wvbarfoundation.org or WV Bar Foundation, P. O. Box 4845, Charleston, WV 25364.

          Make your reservations TODAY!

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     The 6th Lawyer Leadership Institute, sponsored by Antero Resources Corporation, is set for May 19-21, 2017, 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. The program consists of expert presentations on service skills, leadership traits, professionalism and civil discourse through participation in interactive sessions, networking opportunities and interpersonal relationship building in an informal learning atmosphere.

      In 2017, the participants will be limited again to twelve lawyers within 10 years or less of admission to practice law and possessing diverse experiences, who will be nominated by law offices or legal organizations. The prior attendees gave extremely positive evaluations to all the presentations, to the small group interaction and to the Stonewall Resort location.

      During the Institute’s two days, the presentations will be given by noted individuals on the topics of organizational leadership, professionalism leadership, leadership in general, civility leadership, ethical leadership and public service leadership.

      Registration is on a first come-first served basis. 

      The cost remains at $499 per person which includes two nights lodging at Stonewall Resort, five meals, and all materials, as well as application will be made for twelve hours of continuing legal education credits, with at least three hours of legal ethics credits.

      Please contact Tom Tinder to make your reservations—(304)-343-9823, tom@wvbarfoundation.org or WV Bar Foundation, P. O. Box 4845, Charleston, WV 25364.