LAWYER LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE- After the cancellation of the Lawyer Leadership Institute in 2020 because of the historic Covid-19 virus pandemic, the premier leadership training event for younger rising star lawyers was held on May 21-23, at Stonewall Resort in Roanoke, WV.   Pictured above are Brenda Waugh (Martinsburg) and Elliot Hicks (Charleston), two of the highly rated judges and lawyers who made presentations during the Institute, as they sit at the top of a talking circle surrounded by the eleven younger lawyers, attendees from all parts of the state and all types of law practice.   This year’s event was again sponsored by Antero Resources through the valuable assistance of its Chief Administrative Officer and Regional Vice President, Al Schopp.   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 excellent expertise and knowledge in leadership skills. The diverse speakers and their topics were:   Professionalism Leadership-U.S. District Court Judge John Bailey-Wheeling Interpersonal Leadership-U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael Aloi-Clarksburg Public Service Leadership-WV Circuit Court Judge Alan Moats-Grafton Practice Better. Lead Better. Feel Better.-Elliot Hicks, Esq.-Charleston and Brenda Waugh, Esq.-Martinsburg Leadership in Lawyer Well-Being-Karen Kahle, Esq.-Wheeling Leadership Traits-Hank Lawrence, Esq.-Bridgeport Ethical Leadership-Rebecca Tinder, Esq.-Charleston   This year’s participants, who came from diverse law practices, were:   Ashley Batten-Martinsburg                  Caleb David-Charleston                                        Patricia DiFranco-Beckley               Jay Ford-Charleston Stephenee Gandee-Bridgeport                      Haley Hillen-Morgantown                   Shania Massie-Bridgeport         Sarah Phipps-Charleston                     Jonah Samples-Huntington                       Carl Shaffer-Charleston                       Morgan Villers-Charleston             The Institute and the location at the Stonewall Resort were evaluated by the attendees on a 1-5 basis (5 is highest) with the Institute receiving a rating of 4.9 and Stonewall also receiving 4.9. All the judges and lawyers, who made the presentations, received scores from 3.7 to 5.0.   Each of the attendees confirmed that they would recommend the Institute to other younger lawyer leaders and here are just some of the specific comments that were placed on the evaluation forms:    “I thought the Institute was well-planned, educational and a great opportunity to connect with other young lawyers.”                “I feel so inspired by the topics presented and my fellow participants. The format of the Institute allowed me to personally connect with the speakers and the other participants.”                “I loved candid discussions with the group. I think a formalized follow-up to continue these relationships would be appreciated….”                “It was a fantastic experience.”                “Informative, interactive and fun. I left able to speak and listen in equal measures.”                “It is so nice to be able to have informal discussions around law and leadership with such great presenters and attendees. I wouldn’t change a thing. Loved it!”                “It was a fantastic mix of discussion and presentation that was very beneficial.”                “I had a wonderful time hearing from judges and experienced lawyers and mediators.”                “It blew my expectations away. Very much like an interactive TED talk with judges. Truly enjoyed the experience.”                “Quality program with interesting speakers and topics. Wonderful meeting new people after so long in isolation.”                “Great program! I truly appreciated the opportunity to attend and will take great tips to utilize as a young lawyer to be a leader in my practice and community.”   The Bar Foundation Board of Directors wishes to express its utmost appreciation to the superb judges and lawyers who made the well received presentations, to the younger lawyer participants who are rising stars in leadership roles in the legal profession, their communities and the state, and to Antero Resources whose sponsorship commitment enabled the Institute to be another successful endeavor!

‌MAKE RESERVATIONS NOW-BAR FOUNDATION FELLOWS DINNER- The WV Bar Foundation Board of Directors announces the Bar Foundation Fellows Dinner on Thursday, June 24, 2021, at the 4 Points Sheraton Hotel (600 Kanawha Blvd., East, in Charleston)!   This highly anticipated event will honor the judges and lawyers selected for both the 2020 Fellows class and the 2021 Fellows class, since the 2020 Dinner was cancelled at the last moment due to the historic Covid-19 virus pandemic. Social distancing and masking guidelines in effect on June 24 will be followed.   The criteria for Bar Foundation Fellows are 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 approximately 400 lawyers and judges selected as Fellows over the years from the 6,000 judges and lawyers here in WV.   The outstanding individuals, who will be honored on June 24, are:   2020 Fellows class- Barbara Fleischauer-Morgantown Carte Goodwin-Charleston Michele Grinberg-Charleston Anne Harman-Wheeling Karen Kahle-Wheeling Judge H. L. Kirkpatrick-Beckley Judge Thomas Kleeh-Clarksburg Charles Loeb-Charleston                                Melissa Luce-Charleston Christopher Luttrell-Martinsburg Sandy Murphy-Charleston Larry Rowe-Charleston Judge Gloria Stephens-Welch Teresa Tarr-Charleston Dean John Taylor-Morgantown   2021 Fellows class- Justice Tim Armstead-Charleston Randy Bernard-Wheeling James Dodrill-Charleston Sharon Flanery-Charleston Karen Garrett-Moorefield Lary Garrett-Moorefield Judge Michael Lorensen-Martinsburg Greg McDermott-Wheeling Steve New-Beckley Meshea Poore-Morgantown Andy Richardson-Charleston Bob Tweel-Charleston                                        Tony Werner-Wheeling Chip Williams-Beckley   The well received event (black tie optional) begins at 6:00PM and the cost is $150 per person or $2,000 for a reserved sponsored 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.   For your convenience, a block of sleeping rooms has been set aside at the 4 Points Sheraton Hotel at a reduced group rate of $169. To make your sleeping room reservations, please call–800-368-7764—and specify the group name, which is “WV Bar Foundation Room Block”.   Join your colleagues and friends at the 2021 Bar Foundation Fellows Dinner for the extraordinary honoring of two classes of highly regarded members of the judiciary and the legal profession!

‌BAR FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS- The WV Bar Foundation Board of Directors held its quarterly meeting and the Annual Meeting on June 3, utilizing Zoom technology.   The Board made decisions regarding its good financial condition, the Justice Fund containing more than $1 million after the extremely generous contribution from an Anonymous Donor, the very successful Lawyer Leadership Institute, the upcoming Bar Foundation Fellows Dinner on June 24, the Legal Legends Lunch in September and a significant grant to the student legal clinics at the WVU College of Law.   In addition to taking actions regarding its administrative staff, the following Officers and Board members were elected:   President-Christy Morris-Charleston Vice President-Dave Jividen-Wheeling Secretary/Treasurer-Lucien Lewin-Martinsburg   Teresa Dumire-Morgantown-Second Term Judge Joyce Morton-Webster Springs-Second Term Judge Patrick Flatley-First Term Debra Kilgore-Princeton-First Term Ron Tucker-Fairmont-First Term Ann Haight-Charleston-Unexpired Two Year Term