PERSONNEL FILE: W.Va. Bar Foundation names Fellows

CHARLESTON - Robert V. Berthold, Jr., Rebecca A. Betts, Thomas J. Hurney, Jr., Neva G. Lusk, Judge Ronald G. Pearson, Rory L. Perry, II, Don R. Sensabaugh, Jr., Howard E. Seufer, Jr. and Lonnie C. Simmons of Charleston have been named as West Virginia Bar Foundation Fellows.

They were honored at a Bar Foundation Fellows Dinner in Charleston. For 15 years, the Bar Foundation, which is the philanthropic organization for the legal profession, has selected “those lawyers whose professional, public and private careers have demonstrated outstanding dedication to the welfare of their communities and honorable service to the legal profession with the individuals selected reflecting the diverse nature of the legal profession in West Virginia.”

This year’s class of 22 lawyers and judges joins approximately 300 individuals who have been previously selected as Bar Foundation Fellows. There are more than 5,000 judges and lawyers in West Virginia.

Robert V. Berthold, Jr.-Charleston
B.A. and J.D., West Virginia University. Fellow and Chairman, American College of Trial Lawyers. Member, American Board of Trial Advocates. Member, Board of Directors, WV Association for Justice. Chairman, LAWPAC. Best Lawyers in America. Member, Board of Directors, Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences. Board Member, MATE. Mr. Berthold is married to Jackie.

Rebecca A. Betts-Charleston
A.B., Dickinson College. J.D., West Virginia University. Assistant U.S. Attorney, Chief of Civil Division. U. S. Attorney. Member, Fourth Circuit Judicial Conference. Member, Committee on Legal Ethics. Member, Board of Directors, Charleston Legal Aid Society. Member, Advisory Committee on Rules and Procedures, Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. YWCA Woman of Achievement.

Thomas J. Hurney, Jr.-Charleston
B.S. and J.D., University of Dayton. Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers. Member, American Board of Trial Advocates. President, Defense Trial Counsel of WV. Secretary, Association of Defense Trial Attorneys. President, Foundation for Thomas and St. Francis Hospitals. Service Award, University of Dayton School of Law. Mr. Hurney is married to Julia.

Neva G. Lusk-Charleston
B.A., Marshall University. J.D., West Virginia University. Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, Kanawha County. Board Member, WV Bar Foundation. Member, Board of Governors, WV State Bar. President, Defense Trial Counsel of WV. Member, International Association of Defense Counsel. Master, American Inn of Court. President, Fund for the Arts. Ms. Lusk is married to Stephen Chambers.

The Honorable Ronald G. Pearson-Charleston
B.S.I.E. and J.D., West Virginia University. WVU Academy of Industrial Engineers. Commissioner, WV Department of Finance and Administration. Treasurer, State of West Virginia. Comptroller, Carbon Industries. Judge, U.S. Bankruptcy Court. Treasurer, National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges. Chairman, National Youth Science Foundation. Judge Pearson is married to Beth High.

Rory L. Perry, II-Charleston
B.A., Marshall University. J.D., West Virginia University. Clerk, Supreme Court of Appeals of WV. Member, WV Civics Literacy Council. Board Member, Hi-Y Youth in Government. President, National Conference of Appellate Court Clerks. Member, Publication Review Panel, National Center for State Courts. Mr. Perry is married to Renee Margocee.

Don R. Sensabaugh, Jr.-Charleston
B.S. and J.D., West Virginia University. Member, Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel. Member, Defense Trial Counsel of WV. Member, WV State Bar Continuing Legal Education Committee. Board Member, Make-a-Wish of Southern WV. Legislative Representative, WV State Medical Association. Member, WV Board of Physical Therapy. Mr. Sensabaugh is married to Sheryl.

Howard E. Seufer, Jr.-Charleston
B.A., Michigan State University. J.D., West Virginia University. Order of the Coif. Law Clerk, Judge John A. Field, Jr. Member, Fourth Circuit Judicial Conference. Board Chair, The Education Alliance. Chair, WV Mansion Preservation Commission. Chair, WVU Social Justice Visiting Committee. Chair, Wood County Sheltered Workshop. Mr. Seufer is married to Carol.

Lonnie C. Simmons-Charleston
B.A., B.S. and J.D., West Virginia University. Writ Clerk, Supreme Court of Appeals of WV. Law Clerk, Justice Thomas B. Miller. Member, Board of Governors, WV State Bar. Board Chair, Kanawha County Public Defenders Office. President, WV Employment Lawyers Association. Member, American Inn of Court. Volunteer Coach, High School Mock Trial, Kanawha County Family Court.