The Distinguished Pro Bono Service Award for 2023 is awarded to the Law Students at the West Virginia University College of Law. The award was given at the WV State Bar Annual Dinner in April 2024.
Not only do students at the College of Law regularly perform community service in the Morgantown area, but they also use their developing legal skills to help low-income and vulnerable West Virginians. In 2023, College of Law students supported domestic violence victims through representation at Domestic Violence Protective Order hearings in Monongalia County regularly, participated in clinics in coordination with Legal Aid and attorney volunteers to help people screen for bankruptcy, complete name change packets, and answer questions through the State Bar’s West Virginia Free Legal Answers Program. Four students at the College of Law also volunteer regularly during the school year to support Legal Aid’s Pro Bono Program.
About the Distinguished Pro Bono Award
Legal Aid of West Virginia’s Distinguished Pro Bono Service Award recognizes a lawyer, law firm, or group whose pro bono efforts in a given year have gone “above and beyond” the call of duty and are deserving of special recognition.
Steptoe & Johnson is the recipient of the 2023 Pro Bono Law Firm of the Year Award. The firm was presented with the award at the WV State Bar’s Annual Dinner in April 2024.
In keeping with firm tradition, Steptoe & Johnson handled hundreds of pro bono matters throughout the year. Steptoe attorneys’ volunteer work included representing low-income clients in final domestic violence protective order hearings, volunteering for Tuesday Legal Connect, adoptions, assisting charitable entities in incorporation endeavors, and much more. In their work for Legal Aid, Steptoe & Johnson attorneys helped in 35 domestic violence cases, providing 40 hours of service to victims.
About the Pro Bono Firm Award
Legal Aid of West Virginia’s Pro Bono Law Firm award is presented to the law firm that provides the most hours of pro bono representation to West Virginians during a given year.
The recipient of the 2023 Kaufman Award is Richard Gottlieb. Richard was presented with the award at this year’s WV State Bar Annual Dinner in April 2024.
Richard Gottlieb (center) is presented with the 2023 Kaufman Award
Richard is a volunteer at Legal Aid of West Virginia. In 2023, Richard donated over 40 hours of his time in approximately 80 cases, providing legal assistance to low-income and vulnerable West Virginians. He takes four cases weekly, advising Legal Aid clients on property and housing issues.
Richard is of counsel at Lewis Gianola PLLC in Charleston and leads the law firm’s natural gas practice. As a WV natural gas lawyer, Mr. Gottlieb primarily represents oil and natural gas producers and other energy businesses in regulatory, litigation, and commercial matters. He also serves clients in government and administrative law and related concerns. Mr. Gottlieb has been recognized nationally for many Oil and Gas Law awards. He has also managed and led complex, high-dollar commercial litigation cases representing energy firms, financial institutions, and large corporations.
Active in the Charleston community, Mr. Gottlieb volunteers for other local non-profit organizations, including Meals on Wheels and Read Aloud West Virginia, in addition to his time with Legal Aid.
About the Kaufman Award
The Kaufman Award recognizes a West Virginia lawyer who has provided outstanding pro bono publico work. It is presented to the individual attorney who has done the most pro bono work during the past year by providing free civil legal services for the state’s low-income citizens. The Award is named after Paul J. Kaufman, a leading public interest lawyer before his untimely death. Mr. Kaufman’s son, Kanawha County Circuit Court Judge Tod Kaufman, presents the award to the recipient.
During the week of March 10, 2024, Legal Aid of WV (LAWV) was proud to host law students from Vanderbilt University Law School for a Pro Bono Spring Break trip. Vanderbilt offers pro bono opportunities for law students every year, as a way for students to get real experience applying concepts learned in law school. Pro bono work also helps students identify possible career paths, make connections with employers, and travel to areas in need of legal help.
Emma Harrison, a third-year student at Vanderbilt is originally from Morgantown, WV, and went to West Virginia University (WVU) for her undergraduate degree. She has participated in the Pro Bono Spring Break program at Vanderbilt every year during law school and was given the privilege of planning a 2024 Pro Bono Spring Break.
“I knew I wanted to come back to West Virginia,” Emma says. “I reached out to Molly Russell at Legal Aid; I knew her husband from my time at WVU. When we started talking about the type of things we could do in West Virginia, I was excited for others to get to experience the clinics we planned.”
(Left to right) Grace Yang, Grace Hayes, and Emma Harrison in the Charleston LAWV office.
Vanderbilt students Grace Yang and Grace Hayes joined Emma for the week in the Huntington, WV area, where they worked three pro bono clinics and enjoyed other activities. Two WVU College of Law students also took time from their spring break to volunteer for the third clinic.
The first clinic was held on the morning of March 12, in Wayne County, WV. This Wills Clinic focused on helping individuals at the Wayne County Senior Center prepare simple wills and medical power of attorney documents.
In total, nine people received estate documents prepared by the Vanderbilt students and volunteers from Nelson Mullins and LAWV. Nelson Mullins sent eight volunteer staff, including paralegals Natalie Taylor, Rebecca Mitchell, and Ed Houck, and attorneys Randy Saunders, Jonah Samples, Kendra Huff, Allyssa Kimbler, and Eric Salyers.
The second clinic—a Name Change Clinic—was also held on March 12, in the evening, on Marshall University’s campus in Huntington.
The clinic was held in partnership with Huntington Pride and Branches Domestic Violence Shelter and served a total of 13 people (eight reserved slots and five eligible walk-in clients). Along with the three law students and LAWV attorney Jennifer Singletary, local attorneys Hoyt Glazer, James Barber, and Bill Stanley also volunteered their time at the clinic.
The final clinic on March 13 helped clients navigate the processes of driver’s license reinstatement and expungement in Charleston, WV, at the Kanawha County Public Library.
WVU College of Law students Tristen Nichols and Dominic Martin joined the Vanderbilt students and LAWV attorneys to serve 20 people, including 9 pre-screened appointments and 11 walk-ins. The outreach for this clinic generated tremendous interest from the community, and LAWV fielded more than 100 requests for more information about driver’s license and expungement help as a result.
Students and Attorneys at the Driver’s License Reinstatement and Expungement Clinic (Left to right): Grace Yang (Vanderbilt), Emma Harrison (Vanderbilt), Tristen Nichols (WVU), Cindy Withrow (LAWV), Marie Bechtel (LAWV), Dominic Martin (WVU), Molly Russell (LAWV), Grace Hayes (Vanderbilt)
The five law students who volunteered throughout the week all shared an interest in applying their classroom knowledge.
“I knew if I didn’t do the Pro Bono Spring Break program, I would be sitting around for spring break,” explains Grace Hayes, a second-year student at Vanderbilt. “Instead, I’ve learned a lot, and I’ve gotten to help people that otherwise wouldn’t be able to get help. I went to law school to become a public defender, so the chance to do public interest was something I knew I had to take.”
Tristen Nichols, a first-year student at WVU College of Law, appreciated a way to serve clients in his home county. “I’m from Elkview, WV, just outside of Charleston,” he says. “This clinic is the first opportunity I’ve had to do pro bono work and do something practical with what I’m learning in law school.”
Students worked with an assigned volunteer attorney at the clinics. Matt Hayes, a LAWV attorney who worked with Vanderbilt student Grace Yang, says there is definitely a need for pro bono work. Matt typically works on the phone, giving legal advice and guidance to people who apply for help from LAWV. “It’s great to dive into one area of law and help the next generation of lawyers get some work under their belts.”
WVU College of Law students Tristen Nichols (left) and Dominic Martin at the Kanawha County Public Library.
To help our staff finish important work at the end of the year, Legal Aid of WV’s application and public office hours will change during the holidays at the end of the year.
On December 19, 2023, online applications close at 12:30 PM. Applications submitted before 12:30 PM will be reviewed by our staff.
Legal Aid of WV will not take new applications (online and phone) from December 21, 2023, to January 3, 2024.
Additionally, all of our offices will be closed to the public from December 25, 2023, to January 3, 2024.
During this time, staff will be working on non-holidays, but we are not open to the public to help allow time for important tasks.
If you are already a client and have an assigned advocate, please reach out to them directly, and they will get back to you as soon as possible.
Legal Aid of West Virginia, in collaboration with Big Sandy Superstore, is hosting a community outreach event in Parkersburg, WV. on September 21, 2023. The Family Resource Event will feature local family-serving agencies who will offer information and resource materials to attendees. The event will offer fun activities for children and have several food trucks available. Please come join us for some helpful resources, tasty food, and family fun activities that encourage positive family development.
Who: Local Families in the Parkersburg Community
What: Wood County Family Resource Fair
When: Thursday, September 21, 2023, from 3:00-6:00 p.m.
Where: Big Sandy Superstore Parking Lot, Parkersburg, WV
“This firm sets the bar for community activism and pro bono service. The impact of their legal work and their civic engagement is incredible and far-reaching.”
Christian Turak (left) accepts the Pro Bono Law Firm Award from Molly Russell, of Legal Aid of WV, and Benjamin Mishoe, of the WV State Bar, for law firm Gold, Khourey, and Turak
Gold, Khourey & Turak is a full-service law firm of eight attorneys located in the Ohio Valley with attorneys admitted to practice in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and New York. Their practice focuses on various areas of the law, including personal injury and oil and gas, and despite its small size, the firm’s impact on its community – including its clients – has been immense.
Louis H. Khourey, Esq., and David Gold, Esq., founded the law firm in 1978 and became Gold, Khourey & Turak in 1984. From the beginning, the attorneys have been committed to improving the lives of their neighbors and achieving positive outcomes for their clients. Their legal work and dedication have earned them various awards from nationally recognized institutions, and several have presented at regional conventions and seminars to both the general community and legal professionals.
The firm has a longstanding culture of pro bono and giving back. Its members are all involved in numerous community philanthropies and efforts. They have served on the boards of many organizations, including the Marshall County Family Resource Network, Wheeling Symphony, Helping Heroes, and the Ohio Valley Recovery Unity Center. Volunteerism by firm members also includes lending their time and skills to Big Brothers/Big Sisters and local schools and churches. Gold, Khourey & Turak also established a drinking and driving deterrent program that presents at local high schools, and it has funded a regional ride service on New Year’s Eve for the last twenty years.
Gold, Khourey & Turak’s commitment to the community is further demonstrated by the pro bono work it does through Legal Aid of WV. In 2022, the firm attorneys assisted many low-income, vulnerable clients with family law matters, and the firm was recently named “Firm of the Year” by the Wheeling office of Legal Aid of West WV for its service.
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Legal Aid of West Virginia’s Pro Bono Law Firm award is presented to the law firm in West Virginia that has provided the most hours of pro bono representation to West Virginians during a given year.
“Over the years, Bill has dedicated so much of his time to volunteerism and pro bono work. With good humor and wisdom, he has worked with so many people to make a positive difference in others’ lives.”
William P. Saviers, Jr. (right) accepts the Distinguished Pro Bono Award from Molly Russell (center) and Maria Borror (left), of Legal Aid of WV
William Saviers, Esq., is a sole practitioner whose current practice is dedicated to assisting Legal Aid of West Virginia clients with estate planning matters. He graduated summa cum laude in 1968 from Ohio University, and after serving two years in Vietnam, he enrolled in and graduated from the University of Virginia Law School in 1974. Bill then pursued a career in corporate law, working in the energy sector with several regional oil and gas companies.
For many years, Bill has devoted much time to church affairs, including serving on the Association of Anglican Musicians and as a member of the Professional Concerns and Development Committee. He has also written several articles for the Association and the Living Church on legal issues facing lay employees in the Episcopal Church. He has also served in various capacities as a volunteer with Shepherd Wellness (HIV and AIDS victims), Hospice, and United Way, and he served on the Board of Directors of Legal Aid of West Virginia from 2011-2014. Bill is also a member of the advisory board with the revived Ohio Fellows Program at Ohio University. Other community work includes helping with flood relief efforts in Clay County; being legal advisor to the Greater Clay Long Term Recovery Committee; and establishing Greater Recovery and Community Empowerment (GRaCE), a non-profit to encourage community building and engagement.
Since 2004, Bill has assisted countless clients through Legal Aid’s will clinic at the Doddridge County Senior Center, including advising them on probate matters and drafting their legal instruments. He has also presented end-of-life seminars to various audiences, including rural communities and legal professionals, and has participated in Legal Aid’s free advice days. In 2022 alone, with true retirement approaching, Bill has given 46 hours of pro bono time through Legal Aid.
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Legal Aid of West Virginia’s Distinguished Pro Bono Service Award recognizes a lawyer or law firm whose pro bono efforts in a given year have gone “above and beyond” the call of duty and are deserving of special recognition.
“Tom has dedicated his entire career to helping those most in need, and I’ve seen first-hand the positive results he has gotten for his clients. Because of him, so many people have been able to rebuild their lives and get a fresh start.”
Benjamin Mishoe (left) presents Thomas E. McIntire with the 2023 Kaufman Award on behalf of the WV State Bar
Tom McIntire received his undergraduate degree from Fairmont State College and his master’s degree from West Virginia University. He later earned his juris doctor in 1985 from Thomas M. Cooley Law School and is admitted to practice law in West Virginia and Pennsylvania. From Mannington, West Virginia, he moved to Wheeling following law school and has served the area for the entirety of his career. From 1986-1989, Tom worked for Gompers, Buch, McCarthy, & McClure and then went on to open his own office, Thomas E. McIntire & Associates, L.C. During his career, he has also served as municipal court judge in Wheeling and West Liberty.
Tom’s practice has focused on helping clients protect their assets and attain financial stability. In 2019, he wrote and published When Bad Things Happen to Good People: How to Determine if You Need to File for Bankruptcy Protection, a thorough instructional manual that explains the bankruptcy process to the general public, that he provides at no cost. He also wrote The Road to a Successful Chapter 13 Bankruptcy He was also a contributing author to Bob Fitzsimmons’s Medical Legal Handbook, a textbook explaining the co-disciplines for practitioners. His firm’s website is regularly updated with articles aimed at helping laypeople make wise financial decisions.
Tom is a member of several county bar associations, actively participating in those and various other philanthropical and professional organizations. He has been the president of the Ohio County Bar Association and the president of the board of directors for Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Tom has a long-standing commitment to pro bono service and has assisted vulnerable clients through Legal Aid of WV for over thirty years. Since that time, he has assisted more than 200 clients with divorce, custody, adoption, landlord-tenant, and debt matters. He now represents an average of ten Legal Aid clients each year, helping them with their consumer cases from start to finish, and he has also provided invaluable training to staff on consumer protection law. In addition to serving clients of his own full-time practice, Tom donated over 80 hours of pro bono assistance in 2022 through Legal Aid.
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The Kaufman Award is awarded in recognition of a West Virginia lawyer who has provided outstanding work pro bono publico and is presented to the individual attorney who has done the most pro bono work during the past year by providing free civil legal services for the low-income citizens of the state. The Award is named after Paul J. Kaufman, who was a leading public interest lawyer prior to his untimely death. Mr. Kaufman’s son, Kanawha County Circuit Court Judge Tod Kaufman, presents the award to the recipient.
Introducing Legal Aid of WV’s Kinship Connector, where you can get free legal information and help with paperwork for adoption, guardianship, and temporary care agreements.
Our Kinship Connector is a free resource for kinship caregivers, like grandparents or other relatives caring for children in their family. The Kinship Connector can help caregivers compare options for formalizing custody of children and fill out necessary paperwork.
The process is simple. Answer questions about your situation. Get information about the types of kinship care. Start forms for kinship care. Type answers to step-by-step questions to complete forms. Download, print, and file your paperwork.
This tool provides information and makes it easier to fill out forms. If you have questions about your specific situation, you should seek legal help.
This tool is not meant to help when the children are involved in an abuse and neglect case in court.
