Public Defender for Youth Clients, Public Defender Corporation for the 27th Judicial Circuit
By McKenzie Stalnaker
Ashley Batten, a passionate advocate for vulnerable youth in the legal system, grew up in the mountains of Harpers Ferry, WV, and took a different path from most to get where she is today.
Batten is the daughter of a dedicated union steamfitter and a passionate educator. From her father, she inherited
a relentless work ethic and from her mother, a love of learning. She credits both parents for instilling in her the work ethic and resilience that has shaped her approach to life’s challenges.
At a young age, Batten dreamed of being an actress, captivated by the art of storytelling and bringing characters to life. She and her brother, born just 21 months apart and the best of friends, immersed themselves in the world of child acting for seven years, appearing in films, commercials and theatre productions.
As she entered middle school, Batten’s aspirations shifted, not immediately toward public defense but rather journalism. During her senior year, she served as the executive director of a student-run broadcasting station but soon became unsure of pursuing a career in journalism.
“Journalism, as I came to realize, often requires reacting to life’s events rather than shaping them. Since high school, I had found joy in being proactive by serving my community through various organizations. That realization made me question whether I would truly be happy in a reactive career,” she says.
This introspection ultimately led her to consider law. Determined to contribute meaningfully to her community, she secured a summer internship at a local law firm. It was there she encountered the practice of criminal defense.
“I quickly fell in love with the opportunity to advocate for indigent individuals and provide legal representation to the most vulnerable,” she says. “At that moment, I knew I wanted to practice law and leave broadcasting behind.”
For Batten, the path to law school did not begin with an application or a campus visit. As a first-generation college student, the entire process was unfamiliar territory. She didn’t have mentors or family members who had walked that path before her, but she wasn’t alone. With the unwavering support of her mother, she began researching how to navigate law school admissions and prepare for the LSAT.
During her senior year of college, Batten took the LSAT for the first time. Despite her diligent preparation, her severe test anxiety proved to be a barrier. Though she improved her score with a second attempt, it still wasn’t enough to gain immediate admission into her top-choice law school, West Virginia University (WVU) College of Law.
She was waitlisted and ultimately received her rejection letter just one hour before walking across the stage at graduation. What should have been a joyful milestone was suddenly overshadowed by a deep disappointment and uncertainty of the future.
Rather than allow the setback to define her, Batten made a decision that would shape the next chapter of her life. She committed to reapplying to WVU Law, determined to revise her application with a fresh perspective and purpose.
In the meantime, she accepted an internship with the West Virginia Secretary of State’s Office in Charleston, her first time living away from home. There, she worked alongside dedicated civil servants and participated in community outreach programs, gaining valuable insight into how the state government serves its citizens. More importantly, she proved to herself that she could succeed outside the comfort and familiarity of her hometown.
At the conclusion of her internship, Batten set her sights on a personal challenge: running her first half marathon. The process was difficult, but it became a powerful metaphor for her larger journey. She learned discipline, mental endurance and the value of setting goals outside of her comfort zone. Crossing that finish line brought more than a medal; it marked a moment of self-reclamation.
When it came time to reapply, Batten once again submitted her application to only one school: WVU Law. Despite concerns from her family, she held firm in her decision, believing the right school was worth the wait.
“This time, I received a personal phone call informing me I’d been accepted,” Batten says. “I often share this journey with law students and college students as a testament to perseverance. ‘Success is not final, and failure is not fatal.’ That rejection gave me the greatest gift—experiences that shaped me into the person and advocate I am today. The resilience I built during that time continues to guide me not only in my legal career but in every challenge I face.”
Today, she views that gap year not as a detour but as a vital part of her journey, one that taught her not only how to advocate for others but also how to believe in herself, even when the road forward seemed uncertain.
Batten channels the lessons of her journey into a career rooted in advocacy and impact. She practices as a criminal defense attorney, where she is committed to ensuring every client, regardless of their circumstances, receives fair representation and a voice in the legal system. Batten uses her degree uniquely by focusing on public defense for youth, a sector often overlooked but critical to justice. She not only advocates in court but also works toward systemic reform and education, helping reshape how the legal system treats children and marginalized communities. Her early experiences with the West Virginia Innocence Project have remained a guiding influence in her dedication to serving the most vulnerable.
Her work has not gone unnoticed. Her efforts have earned wide recognition, including being named the West Virginia State Bar Young Lawyer of the Year and induction into Shepherd University’s Finest Under 40. She has also received the Thomas Stanley Memorial Award for Excellence in Public Defense. She continues to give back to her alma mater, frequently mentoring law students and speaking on panels about resilience, access to justice and navigating the profession as a first-generation attorney.
Looking ahead, Batten plans to deepen her impact through policy work and public legal education.
“My goal is to make the lives of all justice-involved youth in West Virginia better,” she says. “My efforts go beyond individual cases—they aim to transform youth representation across West Virginia and beyond. By advocating for systemic reform, supporting legal education and pushing for better policies, I hope to continue strengthening protections for justice-involved youth and ensuring they receive the fair treatment they deserve.”
