News

MORGANTOWN, W.Va.—The West Virginia University College of Law has joined a national campaign focused on well-being in the legal profession.

The college is one of the first 26 law schools in the country to sign the American Bar Association's Well-Being Pledge. The program brings attention to ways to improve the health and well-being of lawyers and law students. 

Research shows that lawyers struggle with addiction and mental health problems at rates much higher than the general population and other professionals. To encourage those in need to seek help, WVU Law is working to change attitudes and eliminate bias related to addiction and mental health.

“We are making the wellness and mental health of our students a priority in our programming,” said Tina Jernigan, assistant dean for student life. “The statistics on substance abuse and mental health in the legal field are staggering, and we can no longer accept the status quo. By signing on to the pledge, we are committed to wellness in our student body and the legal profession.”

MORGANTOWN, W.Va.—A team from the West Virginia University College of Law recently won the best brief award on the way to a quarterfinal finish in a regional round of the National Moot Court Competition.

The college’s National Moot Court Team is made up of third-year law students Britany Dolan, Emily Ford, Julian Pecora, Garrett Spiker and Chris Weed. They competed in two groups at the National Moot Court Competition Region IV Round held at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit in Richmond, Virginia, in November.

Ford, Weed and Pecora won the best brief award, beating teams from 18 law schools from Kentucky, North Carolina, and Virginia. It is WVU‘s first best brief award at this competition in more than 20 years.

Spiker and Dolan were among the top eight teams to reach the regional’s quarterfinal round. They are the third WVU Law team in 10 years to advance that far in the National Moot Court Competition.

MORGANTOWN, W.Va.—Students at the West Virginia University College of Law have helped a U.S. Navy veteran receive a discharge upgrade.

“Our client now qualifies for a range VA benefits including healthcare, disability compensation, pension, and home loans,” said Jed Nolan, director of the Veterans Advocacy Law Clinic.

The client was discharged unfavorably in 1986 after being diagnosed with a mental health condition. Nevertheless, he experienced success in school and work following the discharge, according to Nolan

The clinic requested the veteran’s discharge status be upgraded to “General, Under Honorable” because the behavior that led to his discharge was a direct result of service-related issues. Students in the clinic also argued that the discharge upgrade was in the interest of justice because the Navy had failed to provide him with adequate treatment, which impacted his ability to serve. This fall, the Board of Naval Corrections concurred.

MORGANTOWN, W.Va.— West Virginia University is expanding its presence in Charleston, leasing two floors in Equities House, a central downtown office building that will become home to several University offices in the state’s capital city.

“Charleston is the business and cultural heart of West Virginia,” said President Gordon Gee. “While West Virginia University has always been in the Charleston region in some capacity, this new venture provides a consolidated and multi-faceted presence that will allow the University to serve its constituents better and create a base of operations that will greatly benefit the region and the state.”

The University’s College of Law, WVU Extension Service and John Chambers College of Business and Economics will occupy the 19,000 square foot space.

Gregory Bowman, the William J. Maier Jr. dean of the College of Law, sees a lot of potential for an expanded WVU location in Charleston.

MORGANTOWN, W.Va.—The law firm of Bailey, Javins, & Carter, L.C. has given $200,000 to the Moot Court Board at WVU Law.

The gift will benefit law students who are preparing for their careers by competing in moot court competitions. It will help pay for expenses such as training, programming and travel.

“Lee Javins, J.R. Carter and I received wonderful legal educations at the WVU College of Law and we wanted to give something back,” said attorney Tim Bailey. “By competing at the highest levels of moot court competition, students gain valuable experience they will take with them as they begin their careers. Sponsoring the Moot Court Board is a unique opportunity for Bailey, Javins, & Carter to help our law school.”

Bailey is a member of the WVU Law Class of 1991; Javins is a member of the Class of 1994; and Carter is a member of the Class of 2005.

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – For the next two years, Tanya Karwaki will teach and mentor law students and conduct legal research in health care issues as the first Health Law Fellow at WVU Law.

“I am excited to work in this position because it permits me to share my experience in health law and policy with WVU law students,” said Karwaki. “Health law is a dynamic, complex, heavily regulated and important subject area with broad societal impact and potential for rewarding legal careers. It is important to consider and develop legal frameworks that may facilitate the contemporary practice of pharmacy and increased access to quality health care.”

This semester, Karwaki is teaching a seminar on law and policy of medical drugs for second- and third-year students. While on Law School Hill, Karwaki is also continuing her research on the role of law in improving access to health care, the legal challenges created by the globalization of health care, and innovations in pharmacy law. 

Karwaki comes to WVU Law from the University of Washington, where she taught in the school of law and in the pharmacy program. She holds expertise in drug law, health care professionalism, pharmacy law and health policy.

MORGANTOWN, W.Va.—Roger G. Hanshaw, speaker of the West Virginia House of Delegates, will deliver the Presidential Augusta Ambassadors Lecture on October 29 at 10:30 a.m. in the Marlyn E. Lugar Courtroom at the West Virginia University College of Law.

Hanshaw will discuss “The Mountaineer in Public Service.” Admission is free, and the public is invited to attend.

A two-time WVU graduate, Hanshaw represents the residents of Calhoun, Clay, and Gilmer counties (District 33) in the House of Delegates. He is also a partner with the law firm Bowles Rice.

Hanshaw was named to the Order of Augusta, WVU’s most distinguished student award, in 2002 when he earned a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry. In 2012, Hanshaw earned his law degree from WVU. He also holds a Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Notre Dame.

MORGANTOWN, W.Va.— Attorney Melissa Giggenbach has been named director of the West Virginia Innocence Project Law Clinic at the West Virginia University College of Law.

Staffed by law students, the clinic provides free legal representation for the wrongfully incarcerated with many cases involving new DNA or other scientifically-gathered evidence. The West Virginia Innocence Project also advocates for policy reform, including safeguards for forensic techniques and eyewitness identification.

“The West Virginia Innocence Project is committed to pursuing justice for all,” Giggenbach said. “There are many people serving sentences for crimes they did not commit, and rather than treat them as casualties of the justice system, the West Virginia Innocence Project sees them as the wrongfully incarcerated who deserve their rights to equal justice and due process. Ultimately, our work makes the justice system stronger.”

Giggenbach has been affiliated with the West Virginia Innocence Project since 2013 when she joined the clinic as an adjunct lecturer. Before that, she worked in solo practice and in the Preston County Public Defender Office. She is a 1999 graduate of WVU Law. 

MORGANTOWN, W.Va.—The Michael Late Benedum Chapter of the American Association of Professional Landmen has donated $24,000 to the Veterans Advocacy Law Clinic at the West Virginia University College of Law.

The clinic provides pro bono legal services to former service members while training law students. Under faculty supervision, students working in the clinic represent veterans in litigation before administrative agencies and courts on benefits, discharge upgrades, employment claims and other civil matters.

The Michael Late Benedum Chapter raised the funds at its fifth annual Charity Clay Shoot, Dinner and Auction. This is the third year in a row that the veterans law clinic has received the event’s proceeds, which now total $78,000.

The clay shoot was held at Hunting Hills in Dilliner, Pennsylvania. It was sponsored by 23 oil and gas companies and service providers who pledged between $500 and $7,500 to the veterans clinic. Northeast Natural Energy’s Anthony Romeo, himself a veteran, is the founder of the event.

MORGANTOWN, W.Va.—Jed Nolan, a public interest attorney based in Beckley, West Virginia, has been named director and staff attorney of the Veterans Advocacy Law Clinic at the West Virginia University College of Law.

In his new role, Nolan will supervise third-year law students who provide pro bono legal services to West Virginia’s veterans.

“I have six family members who served in the military,” Nolan said. “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to help others obtain the benefits they earned serving their country. I am also thrilled to training a group of young lawyers to understand that legal practice is about more than arguing case law and statutes; it is about connecting with a client and using the law as a means to improve their daily life.”

There are currently seven student attorneys in Veterans Advocacy Law Clinic. Under faculty supervision, students in the clinic represent clients before administrative agencies and courts regarding benefits, discharge upgrades, employment claims and other civil matters. The clinic also provides community outreach efforts and legal services in partnership with the Louis A. Johnson Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Clarksburg, West Virginia.