At 9:00 p.m. on a winter evening in 2024, a neighbor knocked on Brian McAllister’s front door. Brian is a partner in Bailey & Glasser’s Morgantown office.
Although the two had never met, Brian welcomed the man into his home. And although the neighbor didn’t know he was talking with a lawyer, the neighbor asked Brian to explain a document from the Monongalia County Magistrate Court. Over the next hour, Brian learned that the man and his family paid rent for a house without a central heating system. Shortly thereafter, Brian engaged as the family’s lawyer with Bailey & Glasser’s full support.
Approximately a year and more than 100 hours of pro bono legal work later, Brian and Bailey Glasser associate Gabbie Marcum, along with co-counsel James Clark and Ed Sharp of Legal Aid of West Virginia, settled the case and secured a favorable outcome for the family. That’s why, on April 3, Legal Aid of West Virginia and the West Virginia State Bar recognized Brian and Gabbie’s work by presenting Bailey & Glasser with the Distinguished Pro Bono Award.
“I’m elated that we delivered a positive result for our clients,” said Brian after receiving the award. “I’m thankful to have worked with James and Ed and Legal Aid of West Virginia. I’m grateful for Gabbie Marcum’s skill and hard work. And I’m proud to have opened my door for a family in need.” Additional BG team members providing valuable support in the case included paralegal Whitney Johnson and legal assistant Jessica Suschak.