CHARLESTON — Former U.S. Senator Carte Goodwin is looking forward to continuing to build up the West Virginia Bar Association this year as president of the organization.
Goodwin, an attorney at Frost Brown Todd, said it is a real honor to be named to the position for the 2020-21 year.
"I think some of the predecessors who have held this position include some of the most distinguished members of our state legal community," Goodwin said in an interview with The West Virginia Record. "It’s a real honor and I appreciate it. I have big shoes to fill. That certainly includes my immediate predecessor, Ashley French, who really did an amazing job under pretty difficult circumstances these past several months."
Goodwin said like all other organizations, the bar association is set up around a calendar of programming and meetings and educational events.
"To try and hold those during the past several months has been difficult, to say the least," Goodwin said. "Ashley, working with our executive director, Tessa White and the rest of the organization has really done a tremendous job showing how these events can be structured and worked."
Goodwin said during his term, he is hopeful that the association and its members can meet in person for the annual meeting and other events that are normally scheduled in person.
"But, if not we have a template now to use to provide the services to our members," Goodwin said.
Goodwin said the association recently held its annual meeting completely virtually.
"We had our annual meeting a few weeks back and we did it all virtually through one of the video platforms,
Goodwin said. "It went pretty well — no big technical issues and I think everyone was able to participate. We even had some question and answer process."
Goodwin said he got a lot out of the meeting and he hoped the other members did as well.
"It can work," Goodwin said. "It’s a challenge and not ideal, but I think everyone was very pleased with what we were able to put together. It gave us a lot of ideas of what we might do in this coming year if we have to.'
Goodwin said as president, he wants to continue to build upon the organization's proud history and traditions and take steps to reintroduce that history to the members.
"We have a long history, we were founded in 1886 and have had a pretty impressive roster of members and officers over several decades," Goodwin said. "I want to emphasize that and build upon that tradition and do so with an eye toward the future. So, emphasizing our history but looking toward the future. I want to continue to grow the organization and continue to provide the services that today’s lawyer needs and wants in the 21st century."
Goodwin also serves as vice-chair of Frost Brown Todd's Appellate Practice Group and as a principal with CivicPoint, the firm’s public affairs subsidiary. His practice includes litigation and appellate advocacy, advising clients on government relations and commercial transactions.