LAW STUDENTS’ PERSPECTIVES
The previous Bar Brief informed you of the significant grant that was designated by WVU Provost Joyce McConnell, who was the honoree for the Lunch and Laughs With a Legal Legend event that was held last fall in Morgantown. The net proceeds from the successful “friendly roast” were equally divided between the Provost’s favorite charitable activity and Bar Foundation grants to improve the administration of justice.The Provost, who formerly served as a Professor and as the Dean at the WVU College of Law, chose the law student legal clinics to receive $9,440 to support their important efforts in assisting WV’s men, women and children.
How does that funding, and other financial support from you and from the Bar Foundation, benefit the law students, who are the future of our legal profession? Pictured above are two outstanding law students, Carly Cordaro and Max Nogay, who were working on cases in the Clinic, and provided their personal perspectives.
Carly is a third year law student from Western Pennsylvania, who plans to work in criminal law as a prosecutor or a public defender. She stated—“My favorite thing about working in the clinic is providing legal services to those who would otherwise go without. For many of our clients, we are a first and last resort, and it is so rewarding to see that our work is making a difference in our clients’ lives.
While the clinic has taught me practical skills, such as communicating with clients and drafting and filing pleadings, it has also given me a confidence that you cannot learn in doctrinal classes. The first time I appeared in court before a judge arguing a real case was the most nerve-wracking experience of my law school career, but also one of the most rewarding. Overall, the clinic has provided me with foundational skills and values that I hope to carry with me throughout my legal career.”
Max is a third year law student from Weirton and his future plans are to do plaintiff’s work and criminal defense. He comes from a long line of distinguished lawyers from the Northern Panhandle, including his father, uncle, aunt, twin brother and cousin. Max said–
“The Clinic teaches its student attorneys skills that they will not learn through conventional classwork. I’ve had the privilege of representing victims in domestic violence protection order proceedings and advocating for children in the role of guardian ad litem. With the guidance of Professor Marjorie McDiarmid, my counseling, communication, and courtroom skills have improved tremendously. Most importantly, my Clinic experience has taught me how to develop relationships with our clients, and ultimately, these personal relationships drive me to become a better lawyer every single day.”
Like Provost McConnell and many other Judges and lawyers here in West Virginia, the Bar Foundation will continue to support the student legal clinics at our College of Law and the inspiring law students.

MORE THAN 110 REGISTERED TO ATTEND FELLOWS DINNER
The 20th Bar Foundation Fellows Dinner is set for Thursday, April 26, at the Charleston Marriott Hotel and more than 110 judges, lawyers and their guests are already registered to attend.
The members of this year’s class of outstanding individuals are:

Judge Omar Aboulhosn-Bluefield
John Barrett-Charleston
Dean Greg Bowman-Morgantown
Lew Brewer-Charleston
Lynn Clarke-Charleston
John Droppleman-West Union
Judge Paul Farrell-Huntington
Dave Hendrickson-Charleston
Steve Higgins-Morgantown
Judge Patricia Hill-Morgantown
Jim Lees-Charleston
Professor Pat McGinley-Morgantown
Larry Schultz-Martinsburg
Judge Joanna Tabit-Charleston
Kelli Talbott-Charleston
Bobby Warner-Charleston
Frederick Williams-Charleston

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 now!
____________________________________________

PHOTO CREDIT-CHELSI BAKER
The excellent photo in the last Bar Brief was taken by Chelsi Baker, the Communication Specialist at the WVU College of Law.
Chelsi was able to get the participants—Provost Joyce McConnell, Law School Professor Marjorie McDiarmid, Law School Dean Greg Bowman, Bar Foundation President Ken Gray and Bar Foundation Board Member Christy Morris—all lined up and smiling for the presentation of the grant to support the student legal clinics at the WVU College of Law!
Our apologies to Chelsi for not providing the appropriate photo credit.

STAY CONNECTED: