The West Virginia Bar Foundation held its Annual Meeting on June 1, 2023. After a quorum was established and the previous Annual Meeting minutes approved, President Lucien Lewin gave a report on the activities and services of the WV Bar Foundation during the past year.

Activities included Lunch & Laughs with a Legal Legend, honoring Justice Margaret L. Workman, Bar Foundation Fellows Dinner, with 14 new inductees, and the 11th Lawyer Leadership Institute, with 12 young lawyers participating. Several grants were distributed during the year, totaling $46,396 for the fiscal year.

Since the first WVBF grant in 2004, there have been 90 separate grants made in a total amount of almost $560,000. In addition, more than $114,000 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.

Secretary/Treasurer Judge Patrick Flatley reported on the finances of the WV Bar Foundation. Revenues exceeded budgeted amounts, and the organization received a clean financial audit for the fiscal year 2021-2022.

The most significant achievement for the West Virginia Bar Foundation during this fiscal year was the $500,000 anonymous donation to further its mission to advance the administration of justice and improve the provision of legal services for West Virginia’s citizens. This donation spurred the renaming of the WV Bar Foundation’s annual scholarship to a WVU College of Law student to the “Justice Larry V. Starcher Public Service Scholarship”, to celebrate the life and legacy of the late Justice Larry Starcher.

During the Annual Meeting, four board members were nominated and elected to their second term, as follows:

• Judge Jack Alsop, Webster Springs
• Ann Haight, Charleston
• David Morrison, Bridgeport
• John Taylor, Morgantown

One new board member was nominated and elected to his first term, Charles “Chazz” Printz, Jr., Martinsburg.

Lucien Lewin has assumed the role of the newly-formed Immediate Past President position. We are very thankful for his continued leadership and guidance to the organization.

The Officers for the 2023-2024 fiscal year are:

• President: Teresa Dumire, Morgantown
• Vice President: Ann Haight, Charleston
• Secretary/Treasurer: Judge Patrick Flatley, Wheeling

The board amended the bylaws of the West Virginia Bar Foundation. The revised bylaws will be posted to the website shortly.

We have some exciting things in store for the West Virginia Bar Foundation, so stay tuned!