MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTION-
Bar Foundation Lifetime Member Judge Edwin Flowers (Morgantown) and his wife, Ellie, a retired longtime leader at the WVU College of Law, have made a generous contribution to support the programs and activities of the Bar Foundation in memory of Mary Pat Steptoe, the wife of Bob Steptoe (Clarksburg), the first President of the organization. The funds will be utilized for grants to worthwhile charitable West Virginia organizations to improve the administration of justice and the provision of legal services to the state’s citizens. Donations to the Bar Foundation are tax deductible and the grants are distributed by the diverse fifteen member Board of Directors.

NEW LIFETIME MEMBER-
The Bar Foundation is very pleased to announce that Landon Brown, Administrative Law Judge for the WV Public Employees Grievance Board, has become a Lifetime Member of the organization.

“THE CONSPIRATOR”-
      The American Bar Association announces The Conspirator, a new movie directed by Robert Redford (pictured with James McAvoy) that examines justice in the time of a historic crisis. Conspirator or scapegoat? What was Mary Surratt’s role in the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln? The legal issues examined in the movie provide an opportunity for the ABA to serve its members, the legal profession and the public by highlighting the importance of due process and competent representation for defendants.The movie focuses on the trial of Surratt, owner of the boarding house where John Wilkes Booth and others planned their assault on the newly reunited federal government and, more particularly, its leaders. A young Union officer, Frederick Aiken, reluctantly accepts the assignment to defend her. His commitment to her defense evolves as the movie unfolds. James McAvoy, Robin Wright, Kevin Kline, Tom Wilkinson, Evan Rachel Wood and Danny Huston lead the cast.  A Special Sneak Preview of this excellent movie was shown during the ABA/NCBF Midyear Meeting in Atlanta. Its national release occurred on April 15 and it is an inspiring movie for lawyers to see.

13th ANNUAL BAR FOUNDATION FELLOWS DINNER-DEADLINE IS APRIL 25
          Seventeen individuals will be honored as Bar Foundation Fellows during the 13th Annual Bar Foundation Fellows Dinner on Thursday, April 28, 2011, at the Marriott Hotel in Charleston. This year’s Fellows are lawyers and members of the judiciary who will join less than 300 other Fellows that have been previously selected from the more than 5, 000 lawyers and judges in the state.  The black tie optional reception and dinner begins at 6:30 PM and the cost is $125 per person or $1,250 for a table of ten persons. Please contact Tom Tinder (304-343-9823 or tom@wvbarfoundation.org) to make reservations. The deadline to make reservations is April 25.
The 2011 Bar Foundation Fellows members are:
                             J. Michael Benninger-Morgantown                                                     
                             Jodie M. Boylen-Parkersburg                                                     
                             Harry L. Buch-Wheeling
                             Robert D. Fisher-Ripley 
                             Michael D. Foster-Charleston                                                   
                             The Honorable John R. Frazier-Princeton  
                             The Honorable John W. Hatcher-Fayetteville  
                             The Honorable Sally G. Jackson-Martinsburg                                                                                            
                             Patrick D. Kelly-Charleston                                                        
                             Stephen M. LaCagnin-Morgantown
                             Donald B. O’Dell-Huntington                              
                             Sharon L. Potter-Wheeling                                                                                    
                             Harry G. Shaffer, III-Madison 
                             Jessica Justice Stolarik-Morgantown                                                       
                             The Honorable Robert B. Stone-Morgantown                                                
                             Charlene A. Vaughan-Charleston                                                       
                             William Douglas Witten-Logan

BAR FOUNDATION ANNUAL MEETING-
          The West Virginia Bar Foundation and its Board of Directors wish to announce its Annual Meeting that will be held on Thursday, June 9, 2011, at 1:30 PM at the law offices of Bowles, Rice, McDavid, Graff and Love, 600 Quarrier Street in Charleston, WV. The agenda for the meeting includes the reading of the Minutes of the 20010 Annual Meeting, the activities of the Bar Foundation, the financial report, the Nominating Committee report and Other Business. The Nominating Committee report will consist of the election of the following persons to serve three year terms as members of the Board of Directors:
          Michael John Aloi-Fairmont
          Dean Joyce McConnell-Morgantown
          Kathy Santa Barbara-Martinsburg
          David Webb-Keyser
          W. Tracey Weber-Weston

In Memory

IN MEMORY-
In the past two weeks, three well known and well respected friends of the Bar Foundation have passed away—Judge John T. Madden (Moundsville), Judge M. Blane Michael (Charleston) and Mary Pat Steptoe (Clarksburg). Judge Madden served in the WV House of Delegates and then as a WV Circuit Court Judge. Judge Michael served in the Governor’s Office and then was appointed by President Clinton as a Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. Both of them were selected as Bar Foundation Fellows. Mary Pat Steptoe was the wife of Bob Steptoe, the first President of the Bar Foundation and a Fellow, and she provided him with her support and guidance. All three of these wonderful people lived their lives to the fullest and will never be forgotten by their collegues, friends and family.

MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTION-
Bar Foundation Fellow Kemp Morton (Huntington) and his wife, Susan, have made a generous contribution to support the programs and activities of the Bar Foundation in memory of Mary Pat Steptoe, the wife of Bob Steptoe (Clarksburg), the first President of the organization. The funds will be utilized for grants to worthwhile charitable West Virginia organizations to improve the administration of justice and the provision of legal services to the state’s citizens. Donations to the Bar Foundation are tax deductible and the grants are distributed by the diverse fifteen member Board of Directors.

13th ANNUAL BAR FOUNDATION FELLOWS DINNER-
Seventeen individuals will be honored as Bar Foundation Fellows during the 13th Annual Bar Foundation Fellows Dinner on Thursday, April 28, 2011, at the Marriott Hotel in Charleston. This year’s Fellows are lawyers and members of the judiciary who will join less than 300 other Fellows that have been previously selected from the more than 5, 000 lawyers and judges in the state.  The black tie optional reception and dinner begins at 6:30 PM and the cost is $125 per person or $1,250 for a table of ten persons. Please contact Tom Tinder (304-343-9823 or tom@wvbarfoundation.org) to make reservations.
The 2011 Bar Foundation Fellows members are:
J. Michael Benninger-Morgantown
Jodie M. Boylen-Parkersburg
Harry L. Buch-Wheeling
Robert D. Fisher-Ripley
Michael D. Foster-Charleston
The Honorable John R. Frazier-Princeton
The Honorable John W. Hatcher-Fayetteville
The Honorable Sally G. Jackson-Martinsburg
Patrick D. Kelly-Charleston
Stephen M. LaCagnin-Morgantown
Donald B. O’Dell-Huntington
Sharon L. Potter-Wheeling
Harry G. Shaffer, III-Madison
Jessica Justice Stolarik-Morgantown
The Honorable Robert B. Stone-Morgantown
Charlene A. Vaughan-Charleston
William Douglas Witten-Logan

Bar Foundation Past President Carl Harris and Connie Blessing with State Bar President-elect Gary Nickerson

CONNIE BLESSING RETIREMENT-
          On March 2, the Lawyer Disciplinary Board and the Bar Foundation sponsored a reception to honor Connie Blessing, who has retired after more than 25 years of service to the state’s  legal profession and the justice system. During her career, she was the Executive Assistant for the WV State Bar and the staff person responsible for finances for the Bar Foundation. With her leadership, the Bar Foundation administered more than $13 million in IOLTA funds for civil legal services for low income citizens and more than $1 million in real estate transactions for the legal profession. Connie was well known for her long time commitment to serving  WV’s lawyers and to assisting members of the general public understand the justice system.  Lawyer Disciplinary Board Chairperson David Jividen and State Bar President-elect Gary Nickerson, both of whom are Bar Foundation Fellows, made remarks at the well attended event.

13th ANNUAL BAR FOUNDATION FELLOWS DINNER-
          Eighteen individuals will be honored as Bar Foundation Fellows during the 13th Annual Bar Foundation Fellows Dinner on Thursday, April 28, 2011, at the Marriott Hotel in Charleston. This year’s Fellows are lawyers and members of the judiciary who will join less than 300 other Fellows that have been previously selected from the more than 5, 000 lawyers and judges in the state.  The black tie optional reception and dinner begins at 6:30 PM and the cost is $125 per person or $1,250 for a table of ten persons. Please contact Tom Tinder (304-343-9823 or tom@wvbarfoundation.org) to make reservations.

BAR FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS-
          The Bar Foundation’s Board of Directors met on March 10 at the law offices of Bowles, Rice, McDavid, Graff and Love in Charleston with participation by video and telephone conferencing. The Board took action on its financial report, strategic plans for the future, numerous grant applications, Bar Foundation Fellows and nominations for Board members and Officers for the upcoming year.

Those 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.

13th ANNUAL BAR FOUNDATION FELLOWS DINNER-
          Seventeen individuals will be honored as Bar Foundation Fellows during the 13th Annual Bar Foundation Fellows Dinner on Thursday, April 28, 2011, at the Marriott Hotel in Charleston. This year’s Fellows are lawyers and members of the judiciary who will join less than 300 other Fellows that have been previously selected from the more than 5, 000 lawyers and judges in the state.  The black tie optional reception and dinner begins at 6:30 PM and the cost is $125 per person or $1,250 for a table of ten persons. Please contact Tom Tinder (304-343-9823 or tom@wvbarfoundation.org) to make reservations.
          The 2011 Bar Foundation Fellows members are:
                             J. Michael Benninger-Morgantown                                                     
                             Jodie M. Boylen-Parkersburg                                                     
                             Harry L. Buch-Wheeling
                             Robert D. Fisher-Ripley 
                             Michael D. Foster-Charleston                                                   
                             The Honorable John R. Frazier-Princeton  
                             The Honorable John W. Hatcher, Jr.-Fayetteville  
                             The Honorable Sally G. Jackson-Martinsburg                                                                                                   
                             Patrick D. Kelly-Charleston                                                        
                             Stephen M. LaCagnin-Morgantown
                             Donald B. O’Dell-Huntington                              
                             Sharon L. Potter-Wheeling                                                                                    
                             Harry G. Shaffer, III-Madison
                             Jessica Justice Stolarik-Morgantown                                                        
                             The Honorable Robert B. Stone-Morgantown                                                
                             Charlene A. Vaughan-Charleston                                                       
                             William Douglas Witten-Logan

NEW MEMBERS-
          Two lawyers have recently become new members of the WV Bar Foundation. Mr. Terry Schnell of Morgantown and Mr. Douglas Lee of Fairmont joined as regular members of the organization. Welcome to our two newest members! 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS-
          The Bar Foundation’s Board of Directors, a diverse group of fifteen persons from all parts of the state and all types of law practice, will hold its quarterly meeting on March 10. The agenda contains policy matters dealing with finances, grants, governance, the Fellows program and administrative issues. In addition, the Strategic Planning Committee will meet immediately prior to the Board meeting and will present recommendations for future activities for the Board’s consideration.

Attorney General Darrell V. McGraw, Jr. with the judges for the We, the People program.

WE, THE PEOPLE PROGRAM-
          When the final statewide competition for the constitutional program, We, the People, was held at the Robert C. Byrd Federal Courthouse in Charleston last month,  Attorney General, Darrell V. McGraw, Jr., presented remarks to the students from the three Congressional District winning high schools-Keyser (Mineral County), George Washington (Kanawha County) and Shady Spring (Raleigh County). Pictured above with Attorney General McGraw and serving as judges to hear the students’ presentations and discussions was an outstanding group of citizen leaders (Mary Eckerson, Chuck Flannery, Richard Gillespie, Priscilla Haden, Sean Hill, Rob Rupp, Bryan Ward and Joey Wiseman) as well as lawyers and a judge (John Byrd, Bill File, Family Court Judge Mike Kelly, Brittany Ranson, Jim Roncaglione, Ronni Sheets and Cathy Wallace). The Bar Foundation has supported this important national civic education program for several years.

GRANTS COMMITTEE-
          Earlier this week, the Bar Foundation’s Grants Committee held a meeting to review several grant applications which had been received and determine recommendations to make to the Board of Directors at its March meeting. The application requests ranged from $3,500 to $15,000 for beneficial programs at worthwhile organizations involving civic education, child abuse and neglect prevention and alternate dispute resolution. Since initiating its Grants Program just six years ago, the Bar Foundation has made more than 20 grants totalling nearly $90,000. In addition, the Bar Foundation has committed to provide a Public Service Scholarship for a qualified student at the WVU College of Law in Morgantown. 

NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF BAR FOUNDATIONS-
          Last week, the National Conference of Bar Foundations held its Midyear meeting during the American Bar Association event in Atlanta, GA. The WV Bar Foundation is one of more than 100 state, national, local and specialty bar foundations that are NCBF members. The  meeting was attended by the largest number of bar foundations ever for a midyear meeting and excellent seminars were presented on such matters as bar foundation/bar association relationships, endowment campaigns, best practices and planned giving programs.

Chief Judge Goodwin presents award to winning students from Keyser High School in We, the People program.

WE, THE PEOPLE PROGRAM-
          On January 19, the final competition in the We, the People program was held at the Robert C. Byrd Federal Courthouse in Charleston. Outstanding students made presentations on constitutional issues and answered questions posed by lawyers, judges and citizen leaders. Each high school had already been victorious at the Congressional District level—First District-Keyser(Mineral County), Second District-George Washington(Kanawha County) and Third District-Shady Spring(Raleigh County). By a very close score, Keyser won the final competition and will represent WV at the national competition in Washington, DC in April. U. S. District Court Chief Judge Joseph R. Goodwin gave remarks and made presentations to all three schools. The WV Bar Foundation has supported this excellent civic literacy program for numerous years. 

STRATEGIC PLANNING COMMITTEE-
          The Bar Foundation’s Strategic Planning Committee met on January 31 and proposed recommendations for consideration by the Board of Directors at its next meeting in March. The Committee members agreed to focus during the next 3-5 year period on dual objectives of implementing and enhancing programs and activities, as well as increasing the necessary fundraising opportunities in line with the stated mission of improving the administration of justice and the provision of legal services for West Virginia’s citizens. In the near future, there will be modifications in the Bar Foundation’s finances which will provide the impetus to move forward to reach the prospective goals and objectives for the organization. 

EMENTORING PROGRAM-
          More than 6,900 West Virginia high school students dropped out of high school in 2009. That equates to $1.8 billion lost lifetime earnings in West Virginia for that class of dropouts alone. Today’s students are tomorrow’s work force. Are you doing everything you can to ensure they are college and career ready? There is an easy way you can help – sign up to be a mentor today! The Education Alliance offers an online volunteer driven program around college and career readiness – WV eMentoring. WV eMentoring is an online career-based mentoring program for secondary students. Mentors from all types of careers are needed. Mentors should have jobs that require some kind of post-secondary education – on the job training, apprenticeship programs, vocational or professional school, two-year, four-year, or graduate degrees. In just 15 minutes a week you can make a difference in the life of a student without leaving the comfort of your desk! All activities can be completed online at your home or office.
Get more information on the Internet from the WV Education Alliance regarding this excellent program at—www.wvementoring.org

Chief Judge John P. Bailey with Judge's portrait at Memorial Service in Remembrance of The Honorable Robert E. Maxwell

JUDGE MAXWELL MEMORIAL SERVICE-
          On December 17, the Memorial Service in Remembrance of  U.S. District Court Judge Robert E. Maxwell was held at David and Elkins College in Elkins. Even with wintry conditions, the auditorium was packed with members of the judiciary, lawyers and citizens from all parts of the state to honor Judge Maxwell, who served more than 45 years as a Federal Court Judge from August 11, 1965 till his death on November 20, 2010. Memorable personal presentations were made by members of the federal judiciary– Judge Robert B. King, Chief Judge John P. Bailey, Chief Judge Joseph R. Goodwin and Judge Irene M. Keeley–as well as by WVU College of Law Dean Emeritus John W. Fisher, II. Judge Maxwell is survived by his wife of more than 63 years, Ann, and four children, Maryann Durland and Carollynn Maxwell-Thompson, as well as two practicing lawyers in West Virginia-Ellen Maxwell-Hoffman (Charleston) and Earl W. Maxwell (Elkins).

BUILDINGS OPTION AGREEMENT-
          The WV Bar Foundation and the WV State Bar have entered into a formal real estate option agreement for the State Bar to purchase the buildings and property at 2006 and 2008 Kanawha Blvd., East in Charleston with the State Bar intending “to utilize  the property for the construction of a new Bar Center.” The option became effective on January 1, 2011 for a six month period at a minimum price of $431,313. The Bar Foundation’s 15 member Board of Directors unanimously approved the agreement and it was signed by Bar Foundation President Tracey Rohrbaugh (Martinsburg) and by State Bar President Letitia Chafin (Williamson). The 2006 building continues to be occupied by the State Bar, while the Lawyer Disciplinary Board/Office of Lawyer Disciplinary Counsel vacated the 2008 building in November, 2010, in order to share different office space with the Judicial Investigation Commission and the WV Board of Law Examiners.

CONTRIBUTIONS-
          The WV Bar Foundation was extremely pleased to receive end of year memberships and contributions from numerous lawyers and legal entities, including:
                    Allen, Guthrie and Thomas (Charleston)
                    Attorneys Liability Protection Society (ALPS) (Missoula, Montana)
                    Joseph Beeson (Charleston)
                    Scott Long (Charleston)
                    Kemp Morton (Huntington)
                    Richard Robb (South Charleston)
                    Robert Wallace (Buckhannon)
                    James Wilson (Clarksburg)

Justice Thomas E. McHugh receives the oath of office from Chief Justice Robin Jean Davis with his wife, Judy, and his two lawyer sons, Jim and John. (Photo by Steven Wayne Rotsch, Governor's Photographer.)

SUPREME COURT JUSTICE MCHUGH-
          Before a packed courtroom on a snowy day, December 16, 2010, Supreme Court Justice Thomas E. McHugh was sworn in to serve a two year term. Through election and appointment, he has been a Supreme Court Justice for almost 25 years, as well as six additional years as a Circuit Court Judge. The Oath of Office was administered by Chief Justice Robin Jean Davis, who made comments from the bench, as was also done by Justice Margaret L. Workman. Remarks were presented by Governor Earl Ray Tomblin, Justice McHugh’s son, James, the Prosecuting Attorney for Jackson County and Justice McHugh. All three Justices are Bar Foundation Fellows. 

FDIC INSURANCE COVERAGE-IOLTA PROGRAM-
          One of the final acts taken by the lame duck U. S. Congress in late December was the passage of legislation to guarantee that unlimited FDIC coverage will remain on Interest on Lawyer Trust Accounts (IOLTA) for the next two years. Without this important action, “lawyers and their clients faced complicated ethical and financial questions about handling money involved in legal transactions”, according to a statement from American Bar Association President Stephen N. Zack. President Obama signed the bill, H.R. 6398, into law on December 29, 2010.  The FDIC’s website, (fdic.gov) states that “The FDIC will issue guidance to all insured depository institutions providing information on Congress’s action to include IOLTAs in the definition of noninterest-bearing transaction accounts.”

HAPPY NEW YEAR-
          The WV Bar Foundation and its Board of Directors hope that 2011 is the best year ever for you, your family and your legal career!