By Emily Rice
While those of us conducting our meetings over Zoom the past year may have struggled with background noise and technical difficulties, we knew the stakes of our calls were not all that high. However, leaders in the legal community have been meeting with clients, attending hearings and holding court through the eye of a webcam throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Their perseverance toward justice is unwavering, and the dogged determination that saw them through law school saw them through the pandemic as well.
In honor of those who have dedicated their lives to advocating for the rights of others, West Virginia Executive (WVE) magazine, in partnership with the West Virginia University (WVU) College of Law, works to shine a light on impressive lawyers who strive to do the best for their clients and their communities with the Lawyers & Leaders Awards.
Each recipient has made some type of positive impact on their community, either through their dedication to their legal work, commitment to community service, devotion to empowering those without a voice or allegiance to creating positive social change. Since 2017, this honors program has recognized lawyers who are either practicing in West Virginia or who graduated from the WVU College of Law.
“The WVU College of Law has been proud to work with WVE to recognize the four prior classes of outstanding Lawyers & Leaders,” says Jackson Kelly Professor of Law John Taylor, who recently served as the school’s interim dean. “We are pleased to continue the tradition this year with a similarly distinguished new class of lawyers who are making a difference in their communities every day.”
Whether these honorees earned their degrees from WVU or another accredited law school across the country, one thing is for sure: their education brought them to where they are today. And while where they are today varies based on location, profession and area of expertise, it does not dispute the fact that they have each accomplished great things. WVE is proud to introduce the Lawyers & Leaders Class of 2021.
If you know a lawyer who is making an impact in their career and community and either practices in West Virginia or is a graduate of the WVU College of Law, nominate them for next year’s class. Nominations are accepted year-round and can be submitted at www.wvexecutive.com/lawyers-leaders.
Meet the 2021 class of Lawyers & Leaders.
