“PHENOMENAL EXPERIENCE”-   The 11th Bar Foundation Lawyer Leadership Institute held on May 20-22 at Stonewall Resort was a “phenomenal experience”, as stated by one of the eleven diverse younger lawyers from all parts of the state and all types of law practice in attendance!   Pictured above is U.S. District Court Judge John Bailey making his highly rated presentation on “Professionalism Leadership” to the group.   The Institute’s Sponsor again this year was Antero Resources with its Regional Vice President Kevin Ellis teaming with Hank Lawrence (Bridgeport) to provide their perspective as lawyers here in West Virginia regarding “Leadership Traits”.   The evaluation ratings for the Institute, on a scale of 1-5, with 5 being highest, were as follows: Lawyer Leadership Institute-5.0 Stonewall Resort-4.9 Speakers-4.6 to 5.0   All the attendees would “recommend attendance at the Institute to other lawyer leaders.”   The personal comments from each attendee included: “Terrific experience all around.” “Genuinely feel better equipped to be an attorney.” “As advertised and better.” “Would highly recommend to any attorney.” “An awesome program. Very happy that I attended.” “Excellent program with great topics.” “Liked the interactive/role playing.” “Really enjoyed learning about wellness initiatives….” “Was very informative and inciteful.” “Great program.” “This was a phenomenal experience. The speakers were all engaging and interactive.”     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. The featured judges and lawyers have well known expertise and knowledge in leadership skills. The complete schedule of speakers and their topics were:   Professionalism Leadership-U.S. District Court Judge John Bailey-Wheeling Interpersonal Leadership-U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael Aloi-Clarksburg Leadership in Lawyer Wellbeing-WV Supreme Court Justice Beth Walker-Charleston and Karen Kahle, Esq.-Wheeling Public Service Leadership-WV Circuit Court Judge Alan Moats-Grafton Organizational and Civility Leadership: When Differences Create Opportunity-Brenda Waugh, Esq.-Martinsburg and Elliot Hicks, Esq.-Charleston Leadership Traits-Kevin Ellis, Esq. and Hank Lawrence, Esq.-Bridgeport Ethical Leadership-Rebecca Tinder, Esq.-Charleston   The outstanding younger lawyers in attendance were:                                                       ATTENDEE                   LAW OFFICE                   LOCATION               James Clark            Legal Aid of WV        Clarksburg                Alex Frampton              Nelson Mullins                Huntington                Nicholas Gordon      Public Defenders Office      Charleston  Elizabeth Grant           Kay Casto & Chaney        Martinsburg Jayson Hamrick     DTCWV (Farrell)  Huntington             Rebecca Krehbiel        Jackson Kelly                   Morgantown                Ryan Loos              Steptoe and Johnson         Bridgeport McKenna Meadows      Antero Resources            Bridgeport Ryan Orth                    Casey and Chapman        Wheeling                Raeann Osborne       Osborne Law Office       Princeton Michael Secret          Flaherty                      Morgantown            _______________________________________________ BAR FOUNDATION GRANT-   As the philanthropic organization for the legal profession and the justice system, the Bar Foundation’s mission is to improve the administration of justice and the provision of legal services to WV’s citizens. A major portion of achieving that mission is by making grants to worthwhile nonprofit entities.   In March, the Bar Foundation awarded a grant for a pilot project to add a restorative justice component to the drug court program in the Northern District of West Virginia with Brenda Waugh, Esq. (Martinsburg) serving as the leader.   An initial report states that “the pilot will launch in July, 2022 after training twenty well-qualified volunteers who are already serving as recovery coaches in that district. Registration has begun and is limited to twenty coaches. The training program will begin with an online component in June, followed by a two-day in person program that will be held on July 15-16, 2022 in the Monroe Fellowship Room at Clarksburg Baptist Church in Clarksburg, West Virginia. Following the two-day training, a final session will be held online focused primarily on the administration of the project by GrAce (Greater Recovery And Community Empowerment) Program in West Virginia.”   The report went on to state that Ms. Waugh is “working with Professor Kenneth Lang of Glenville State University to develop the curriculum. We have thus far created the learning objectives, the detailed schedule for the program and outlined the written materials and learning activities for each session. We have developed sessions to train participants to lead restorative justice dialogs and talking circles as well as understand the potential for other processes such as re-entry circles and circles of accountability.”    Since the first WVBF grant in 2004, there have been 84 separate grants made in a total amount of more than $506,000. In addition, more than $89,000 has been provided in support of student scholarships and the legal clinics at the WVU College of Law with specific grants designated by the honored judges and lawyers at the ten Lunch and Laughs With Legal Legends events.   The Bar Foundation looks forward to receiving further reports on this restorative justice project in the drug court program in the Northern District Federal Court. _____________________________________________________ BAR FOUNDATION EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TESSA WHITE-   The Bar Foundation Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Tessa White (Charleston) has been selected to serve as the Executive Director, effective June 1, 2022.   Tessa has outstanding administrative and management expertise as a business entrepreneur, extensive financial experience as a certified public accountant (CPA), important knowledge and understanding of the legal and judicial systems from her ongoing service as the Executive Director of the WV Bar Association, and leadership expertise with community and statewide organizations.   In preparation for assuming the part-time independent contractor position as the Bar Foundation Executive Director, Tessa attended the Bar Foundation Fellows Dinner in April, the Lawyer Leadership Institute in May during which she was an active participant, and spent numerous hours reviewing materials and receiving input from Bar Foundation volunteer leaders.   Congratulations and Welcome to Tessa White, the new Bar Foundation Executive Director! ____________________________________________________ UPCOMING BAR FOUNDATION DATE:   Lunch & Laughs with Legal Legends – September 9, 2022-Morgantown