MORGANTOWN -- Tammie Alexander, who practices law in Morgantown, has been named one of WV Living's 50 Wonder Women of 2016.
“Superheroes don’t have to be superhuman,” WV Living said when it released its Fall 2016 issue that named the 50 Wonder Women of 2016. “Meet 50 women who, through hard work and determination have made our state a better place to live.”
According to Alexander's bio on the Steptoe-Johnson law firm's website, she assists clients with banking, real estate, commercial transactions, title insurance and construction law matters-- particularly those related to green construction.
“Tammie’s experience as vice president and general counsel of a nationally recognized bank, and president of one of its subsidiaries, brings a banking industry perspective to her practice, which gives her a greater understanding of the business impact of her legal expertise and allows her to appreciate the inner workings of her clients' businesses,” her firm bio said. “An entrepreneur at heart, Tammie understands that the key to successfully representing her clients is to truly become part of their team.”
Alexander started out as a paralegal, then joined a practice that specialized in real estate, said the WV Living October article on Alexander.
“That led to a job at Steptoe & Johnson’s office in Morgantown, where Alexander became interested in practicing law,” the article said. “She attended West Virginia University’s College of Law part-time while continuing to work and raising a teenage daughter. She stayed on in real estate law after passing the bar, starting off by helping new home buyers with their paperwork. She now works primarily in commercial real estate.”
Alexander has also received the Pro Bono Service Award from the West Virginia University College of Law and was included among Generation Next 40 Under 40 by The State Journal, West Virginia’s premier business publication, according to an Aug. 22, 2013, article in Law 360.
She has also been considered a “rainmaker,” which is any person who brings clients, money or respect to an organization based solely on his or her associations.
“One successful tool for me was to find ways to become engaged in both my community and my firm,” she said in her August 2013 interview with Law 360. “Through community service work and volunteerism, I created a diverse network of friends and acquaintances. As these relationships continued to grow, I was able to generate work and make referrals to my partners and colleagues. Of course, I have had to deliver a quality work product. But I find people call me for all sorts of things … everything from legal needs to restaurant suggestions. I am a resource, which means I’m top of mind when they need help.”
She further explained that it takes time to build trust and Alexander has put in the time and the work to build that trust with clients, colleagues and the community.
“I think most people who know me trust that I won’t steer them in the wrong direction,” she said in her Law360 interview. “People see me in the community and know that I’m invested in the success of my neighbor. I’m not one of those people who stand in the background and wait for things to happen, and that has really served me well in my professional life.”
Alexander also serves on local and state Habitat for Humanity boards and does pro bono work for the organization.
“I always say, I practice happy law,” she said in her WV Living interview.
