Class of 2018, WVU College of Law
Photo by WVU College of Law.
By Blair Dowler
For Chase Farmer, practicing law is in his blood. A fourth-generation West Virginia University (WVU) College of Law graduate, he is also the fourth generation member of his family to become an attorney.
He learned from watching his father how rewarding the legal profession can be. “He has always said, ‘If you do what’s best for your client, everything else will take care of itself,’” says Farmer.
Farmer took his father’s advice to heart early on as a law student. In addition to his coursework, he served as president of the Marlyn E. Lugar Trial Association. There, he helped organize and competed in intramural and intercollegiate mock trial competitions. He also served as the vice chief justice for the Moot Court, where he assisted with events and worked with first- and second-year students on polishing their arguments.
Throughout law school, Farmer was diligent in preparing for his career as a West Virginia attorney. His internships included a summer at Wilson, Frame, & Metheney, PLLC, and a summer working for the Honorable Judge Phillip Gaujot in Morgantown. He also competed in three in-house mock trial competitions at WVU and represented the college at three intercollegiate competitions.
“Standing in the courtroom and arguing in front of a judge or jury is exhilarating,” he says of the competitions. “The opportunity to practice and sharpen your skills in a setting where the outcome will not negatively impact a client’s life is truly invaluable.”
Farmer has been blessed with a great support system, particularly his wife, Katie, and his grandfather, George Farmer, Jr.
“I cannot explain how rewarding it was to share my law school experience with my grandfather,” he says. “He’s not shy about offering constructive criticism, which is both humbling and treasured.”
Farmer was named the 2017 George C. Baker Cup winner, and when he graduated in spring 2018, he received the honor of the Order of Barristers and Pro Bono Distinction. As a student, he also received the CALI Excellence for the Future Award for interview, counsel and negotiation, and he was a Marlyn E. Lugar Cup runner-up. With law school behind him, he will practice personal injury law in Morgantown at Farmer, Cline and Campbell, PLLC.
