Making Justice Possible for All West Virginians
Cy Pres awards directed to Legal Aid of West Virginia help deliver vital legal services to individuals and families who cannot afford fair representation. Directing these funds to Legal Aid of West Virginia honors the core intent of class action settlements—ensuring access to justice for those most in need.
To ensure justice reaches as many West Virginians as possible, some Cy Pres funds are allocated to the development and maintenance of Legal Aid of West Virginia’s free online legal resources. These tools are available to everyone, anytime—with no financial eligibility requirements.
These awards have a lasting impact: they change lives, empower communities, and strengthen legal justice across our state.
What are Cy Pres Awards?
The term Cy Pres comes from the French phrase “cy près comme possible,” meaning “as near as possible.” In legal terms, the Cy Pres doctrine allows courts to redirect unclaimed or residual funds from class action settlements to charitable causes when the original intent of the settlement cannot be fully realized.
Under the West Virginia Rules of Civil Procedure, 25% of Cy Pres distributions are designated for Legal Aid. The remaining 75% may be directed either to nonprofit organizations, schools within West Virginia, universities, colleges, or foundations that support programs that will benefit those impacted by the original intent of the case or to Legal Aid, whose broad scope of services is relevant to the vast majority of class actions—ensuring justice reaches those who need it most.
To designate LAWV as your Cy Pres beneficiary or to learn more contact Missy Menefee at 681-466-0310.
Thank you for your Support!
Legal Aid of West Virginia extends heartfelt appreciation to the judges, attorneys, fund administrators, and firms who champion the allocation of residual class action funds to support our civil legal mission. Your advocacy helps expand access to justice and makes a lasting difference in the lives of those we serve.
2025 Cy Pres Awards
In A.H. et al. v. Matulis, et. al., Circuit Court of Kanawha County, The Honorable Judge Jennifer F. Bailey presiding
- Troy Giatras, settlement administration
- W. Stuart Calwell, Jr.
- Janice Lee Murray Hall
- Joseph A. Ford
- Sarah Ann Walling
- L. Dante DiTrapano
- P. Rodney Jackson
- Don Christopher Parker
- Perry W. Oxley
- Robert V. Berthold, Jr.
- Philip G. Haddad
- Eric David Salyers
- David Edward Rich
- Caleb Bennett David
- Roberta Frances Green
- David H. Carriger
- Ben Salango
- Marvin W. Masters
- Benjamin L. Bailey
- Heather H. Jones
- Isaac Ralston Forman
- David L. Shuman
- Lucien Randolph Sammons, III
- Charlotte A. Hoffman Norris
JANE DOE v. UNITED COLLECTION BUREAU INC, ET AL, Circuit Court of Monongalia County, The Honorable Judge Cindy Scott presiding
- David W. Epperly, settlement administration
- Wesley Harrison White
- Jeffrey M. Wakefield
- Jason E. Causey
- Morgan Elizabeth Villers
- Bryan Neal Price
- Brant Tyson Miller
- Ashley W. French
JAMES BURMER V. DYNAMIC RECOVERY SOLUTIONS LLC, Circuit Court of Mercer County, The Honorable Judge Mark Wills presiding
- David W. Epperly, settlement administration
- Albert C. Dunn
- Jonathan R. Marshall