‌ LUNCH AND LAUGHS FUNDING Last October, the Bar Foundation held its 10th Lunch and Laughs With Legal Legends, virtually, to honor two legendary figures, Ellie and Ed Flowers, who have given so much to the judicial system and the legal profession here in West Virginia.   Ellie served admirably for two decades as the WVU College of Law Assistant Dean for Career Services and Ed held high ranking positions in the Executive Branch of state government, as a WV Supreme Court Justice, as a U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge and as a WVU Vice President.   Each year’s honorees select worthwhile charitable entities to receive the net proceeds from the Lunch and Laughs. The Flowers selected the Black Law Students Association and the Career Services Center, both of which are located at the WVU Law School.   Last week, the grant awards were made at the Flowers’ home in Morgantown. Pictured above, from left to right, Isaiah Robinson, third year law student and President of the Black Law Students Association, Law School Professor and Black Law Students Association Faculty Advisor, Professor Jena Martin, Ellie Flowers, Ed Flowers, Law School Dean John Taylor and Law School Career Services Center Assistant Dean Rosalind Lister.   Black Law Student Association President Robinson expressed his utmost appreciation to the Flowers for their generous contribution. He and Professor Martin commented that the Association’s Executive Board will determine how the funds will be utilized and, subsequently, the report is that the Board “decided that part of the money would go to beginning a writing competition in honor of Justice Frank Cleckley. Specifically, the students voted to establish a writing competition (open to all WVU law students) where the entrant would examine one of Justice Cleckley’s opinions and discuss its impact on WV or the country. The prize would be a $1000 gift that would go towards the purchase of student casebooks. We would then use that information during subsequent black history months to promote Justice Cleckley’s legacy.”     Career Services Center Assistant Dean Lister specifically stated—“We are very grateful for this generous designated donation from Ellie and Ed Flowers to the Meredith Career Services Center. These funds will provide additional educational and networking opportunities for students to explore various careers and enhance their preparation to engage with employers. Whether students are looking for jobs in West Virginia or beyond, this funding will assist our efforts to help students throughout all phases of their job search.”    The Flowers’ net proceeds amount from the Lunch and Laughs was almost $9,000 with the amount being equally divided between the Black Law Students Association and the Career Services Center.   For the ten years of the annual Lunch and Laughs events, more than $89,000 has been generated for the entities selected by the Lunch and Laughs honorees, with all the funds directed towards various programs supporting WVU and its College of Law students. A similar amount has been utilized for Bar Foundation grants to improve the administration of justice and the provision of legal services for the citizens of West Virginia.   Thank You for your involvement and support.   Thank you and three cheers for Ellie and Ed Flowers!     ‌ WOW, AGAIN! Thank You- The Bar Foundation and its Board of Directors continued to be overwhelmed with the outpouring of charitable donations that were received in response to the request for the end of year contributions to support Bar Foundation grants and programs!   The generous donations were from diverse members of the judiciary and the legal profession, involved in all types of law practice and from across the state. The more recent generous donors were:   Sue Seibert Farnsworth-Wheeling Lloyd Jackson-Hamlin Professor Marjorie McDiarmid-Morgantown David Morrison-Bridgeport Gary Nickerson-Bridgeport Phil Reale-Charleston Richard “Dink” Yurko-Bridgeport   In addition, Judge Mike Kelly (Charleston) made a special donation to support the We The People program, a statewide civic education endeavor for high school students. The Bar Foundation serves as the Fiscal Agent for the highly regarded activity.   Thank You to these kind and generous judicial, lawyer and community leaders!!     ‌ GEORGE R. FARMER, JR. In January, George R. Farmer, Jr. (Morgantown) passed away after a lifetime of extraordinary achievement and accomplishment in the law, in economic development and in philanthropy.   Known for his superb legal expertise, he was an esteemed leader in philanthropic endeavors to improve and enhance the Morgantown area, West Virginia University and the WVU College of Law. He was a member of an early class of WV Bar Foundation Fellows.   All honor to his name.     ‌ ‌ ‌