Pro Bono Supervising Attorney, Legal Aid of West Virginia
Photo by Lauren Webster Photography
By Kenzie Dye
Molly Russell, pro bono supervising attorney at Legal Aid of West Virginia (LAWV), is dedicated to advocacy, education and community service. She was born in Elkins, WV, but spent most of her childhood in Morgantown.
Her journey from law school to her current role is characterized by a commitment to helping others, particularly those facing domestic violence and other vulnerable populations. Russell’s path to the legal profession was not straightforward. Initially, she worked as a teacher, a role that instilled in her a passion for service.
“I enjoyed my students but felt called to do more,” she says. “In trying to figure out what more was, I thought law school sounded interesting. I applied without a final career destination in mind. I remember finding out I got into law school and the first person I told was one of my first-grade students,” she says.
The connections Russell made while teaching led her to a summer internship at Sal Sellaro Culpepper Legal Group.
During this internship, Russell gained invaluable insights on the inner workings of a law firm, confirming her decision to pursue a legal career. Upon graduating, she balanced roles in teaching and law, working as a substitute teacher while handling Social Security Disability hearings. This solidified her desire to transition fully into the legal profession, ultimately leading her to roles that combined her teaching skills with her legal expertise.
Russell’s professional trajectory includes a range of positions that have enriched her experience and broadened her impact. From 2014 to 2019, she juggled multiple roles, including teaching special and alternative education, directing the FUNdamentals program for Mountaineer United Soccer Club and serving as a summer coverage attorney for the West Virginia University (WVU) College of Law’s Clinical Law Program. She also supervised students in the WVU Child & Family Law Clinic; created her own practice, MR Law PLLC; and worked as a domestic violence attorney for the Clarksburg Legal Aid office.
In 2019, Russell joined LAWV full-time, first as a West Virginia Works attorney and then as a domestic violence attorney. By 2021, she had assumed her current role, which is funded through a grant from the Legal Services Corporation. Her primary responsibilities are to enhance pro bono representation across the state by recruiting and training volunteer attorneys and creating opportunities for pro bono work such as wills and name change clinics.
One of the most significant challenges Russell faces in this role is recruiting pro bono attorneys. The legal community in West Virginia is small, and the demands on lawyers’ time are substantial.
“Balancing their professional obligations with the desire to contribute to pro bono work can be challenging,” she says.
Despite this, she is happy in her role, particularly with the variety it offers and the opportunity to collaborate with a dedicated team.
Russell’s inspiration for her work is deeply personal and multifaceted. Her commitment to helping domestic violence survivors is rooted in her own childhood experiences as she, her sister and her mother experienced it firsthand.
“I want to be there to help the other Mollys and their moms,” she says. “The clients I assist inspire me to help more clients, and if I can’t be the one to help them directly, my team finds people who can or creates opportunities where they can be helped.”
She didn’t know it at the time, but Russell once stayed at the HOPE, Inc. shelter in Fairmont, WV. Now, she feels fortunate to serve as a domestic violence attorney for clients from the shelter that provided a safe space for her, her sister and her mother in the past.
For the work her team does for name change clinics, she is inspired by her ex-spouse, who is transgender.
“I want to help make it easier for people like her to feel like they are living as their true selves,” she says.
Mentorship has played a pivotal role in Russell’s career. She credits Marjorie McDiarmid, her evidence professor and later a close friend and godmother to her son, as a significant influence.
“Marjorie’s dedication to helping others through various legal programs has been a constant source of motivation for me,” she says.
Russell’s commitment to her community extends beyond her professional duties. She serves as vice president of the Monongalia County Bar Association, a board member of the Rape and Domestic Violence Information Center and a member of the West Virginia State Bar Family Law Committee, and she is on the Access to Justice Commission. Russell also coaches soccer for Mountaineer United Soccer Club.
Throughout her career, Russell has received several accolades that highlight her contributions to her field and community. During law school, she was awarded the Emerging Leader Award. In 2017, she received the TOPSoccer Buddy of the Year Award from the West Virginia Soccer Association for her efforts in creating a soccer program tailored for children with disabilities. Most notably, in 2022, she was honored with the Kick Ass Advocacy Award. This peer-nominated recognition celebrates her outstanding work with domestic violence survivors, particularly her strategic and persistent advocacy that influences broader systemic changes.
Russell’s personal life is as dynamic as her professional one. She considers her son, Newland, to be her greatest success and says he is the funniest person she knows. In her free time, Russell enjoys playing and coaching soccer, attending live events and spending time with her family and friends. Despite her busy schedule, she cherishes moments of solitude and reflection.
Looking ahead, Russell has ambitious goals.
“I want to start an organization that helps people with additional problems they may encounter during their legal issues,” she says. “For example, survivors of domestic violence will flee to a shelter but often must leave their beloved pets behind. I would also like to create an organization that offers microgrants to West Virginians who are changing their name and need assistance with the associated costs.”
Through her efforts, Russell not only addresses immediate legal needs but also works toward systemic changes that benefit vulnerable populations. Her story is an inspiring example of how one individual’s passion and dedication can create ripples of positive change in a community.
