BG Lawyers Recognized in 2024 Lawdragon 500 Leading Civil Rights & Plaintiff Employment Lawyers List

Bailey Glasser partners Brian A. Glasser, Sharon F. Iskra, Cary Joshi, D. Todd Mathews, Gregory Y. Porter, and David L. Selby II were named to the 2024 Lawdragon 500 Leading Civil Rights & Plaintiff Employment Lawyers list.

As set forth by Lawdragon:
This is … our collection of the lawyers you need when you’ve suffered discrimination; sexual abuse at work or school; or mistreatment by law enforcement or others in positions of trust . . . . We all want a fair chance. These are the lawyers who’ve made that their lives’ work. So many rights we now take for granted – for minorities, women, the disabled and others – came about because of a plaintiff lawyer who decided to stand up. Similarly, one would have thought that in 2024, lawyers would not have been needed to litigate the right to be free from being killed or beaten by law enforcement. And yet, here we are. For those reasons and many more, it’s a particular point of pride to recognize those included here.
Congratulations to all lawyers recognized by Lawdragon in this important category.

For more, visit this link.

BG Summer Associate Spotlight: Noah Wilbur

For our final Summer Associate Spotlight, Bailey Glasser has the pleasure of welcoming back Noah Wilbur who began his legal journey at BG as a paralegal in our Washington, D.C. office before embarking into law school. Noah is a rising 3L at Duquesne University Kline School of Law and is working as a summer associate in our Pittsburgh office.

We hope you enjoy this Q&A with Noah:

Q: What’s your favorite quote that inspires you?
A: I have two favorite quotes. The first comes from the iconic Muhammad Ali, who said “Often it isn’t the mountains ahead to climb that wear you out, it’s the little pebble in your shoe.” The second quote comes from Theodore Roosevelt: “Comparison is the thief of joy.”

Q: If stranded on a desert island, what would you bring with you for entertainment?
A: If I was stranded on a desert island, I’d bring “Demon Copperhead,” by Barbara Kingsolver to read, “Audioslave” the self-titled debut album by Audioslave to listen to, and I’d bring the epic “The Dark Knight” movie to watch.

Q: What is something that you’ve learned while you’ve been at BG this summer?
A: In all honesty, I could likely write a short novel on the numerous insights that I’ve gained during my time as a summer associate at Bailey Glasser. However, for the sake of brevity, the main takeaway from my summer associate experience is the crucial role that effective workplace communication and collaborative synergy play in enhancing the quality of our work product and driving overall efficiency within the firm. Additionally, I also had the opportunity to greatly expand my knowledge and understanding of the many intricacies involved in toxic tort and environmental litigation.

Q: Last but not least, what kind of law are you most drawn to practicing at this time in your legal studies?
A: The areas I am drawn to include environmental litigation; mass torts; product liability; and toxic torts (with a specific focus on asbestos exposure).

Thank you for joining our community this summer and contributing to our work, Noah!
#summerassociate #summer #klineschooloflaw #duquesne #thankyou #community

BG Summer Associate Spotlight: Mackenzie Howe

As we continue to recognize the promising legal talent that we have with us at BG this summer, today’s Summer Associate Spotlight focuses on Mackenzie Howe, a rising 2L at West Virginia University College of Law. Mackenzie is originally from Danville, Kentucky, and graduated with a B.S. in psychology from Centre College in Kentucky and worked for a year as a deputy clerk at the Kentucky Court of Appeals before starting law school.

We hope you enjoy this Q&A with Mackenzie:

Q: What’s your favorite quote that inspires you?
A: My favorite quote is by Reba McEntire: “To succeed in life, you need three things: a wishbone, a backbone, and a funny bone.” It’s a great reminder to focus on my professional, academic, and personal goals without taking myself too seriously.

Q: If stranded on a desert island, what would you bring with you for entertainment?
A: If I was stranded on a desert island, I’d bring my all-time favorite book, Pride and Prejudice. It’s a great comfort read! I’d listen to Tell Me I’m Pretty by Cage the Elephant or Bad Self Portraits by Lake Street Dive. My must-have films are The Secret Life of Walter Mitty or Dirty Dancing, my two favorites growing up.

Q: What is something that you’ve learned while you’ve been at BG this summer?
A: One thing that I will take away from my summer at BG is the power of concise writing and organization. Effective communication is key! Additionally, I am coming away with a deeper appreciation for mentorship and lifelong learning. It is so inspiring to work with people who are always committed to learning or teaching something new.

Q: Last but not least, what kind of law are you most drawn to practicing at this time in your legal studies?
A: Right now, I am most interested in mass torts, commercial and environmental litigation, and appellate practice.

Thank you for joining our community this summer and contributing to our work, Mackenzie! #summerassociate #summer #wvucollegeoflaw #wvu #thankyou #community

BG Summer Associate Spotlight: George Jacobs II

Bailey Glasser appreciates the burgeoning legal talent that we have with us this summer. Today’s Summer Associate Spotlight focuses on George Jacobs, a rising 2L at West Virginia University College of Law. George’s additional studies at WVU included not only obtaining a BA in International/Global Studies, but also receiving a Master of Arts in History where his thesis was entitled: “Levantine Immigration and Community Building in Charleston, West Virginia, 1900-1930.”

We hope you enjoy this Q&A with George:

Q: What’s your favorite quote that inspires you?
A: My favorite quote is from Albert Camus: “In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer.”

Q: If stranded on a desert island, what would you bring with you for entertainment?
A: If I was stranded on a desert island, I’d bring “Blood Meridian” by Cormac McCarthy to read, “The Lighthouse” to watch, and “Con Todo El Mundo” by Khruangbin to listen to. Some media about surviving in the wild might be more helpful, but at least I’ll be entertained.

Q: What is something that you’ve learned while you’ve been at BG this summer?
A: Every day with BG is an opportunity to learn something new. I’ve learned firsthand how experienced attorneys handle important depositions and prepare a case for trial. I’ve also received numerous opportunities to draft motions and complete interesting research projects. I thank everyone at BG for trusting me with difficult and exciting assignments, and for fostering a learning environment that has exceeded my expectations.

Q: Last but not least, what kind of law are you most drawn to practicing at this time in your legal studies?
A: The areas of law I am most drawn to at this point are commercial and environmental litigation, class actions/mass torts, labor and employment, and appellate advocacy.

Thank you for joining our community this summer and contributing to our work, George! #summerassociate #summer #wvucollegeoflaw #wvu #thankyou #community

Meet BG Summer Associate Cameron Adkins, Harvard Law 2L

Bailey Glasser has an exceptional group of summer associates with us this year. Today we are spotlighting Cameron Adkins, a rising 2L at Harvard Law. Originally from Logan County, West Virginia, Cameron graduated from Columbia University with a major in political science before he headed to Harvard Law. Please enjoy this Q&A with Cameron:

Bailey Glasser has an exceptional group of summer associates with us this year. Today we are spotlighting Cameron Adkins, a rising 2L at Harvard Law. Originally from Logan County, West Virginia, Cameron graduated from Columbia University with a major in political science before he headed to Harvard Law. Please enjoy this Q&A with Cameron:

Q: What is your favorite inspirational quote?
A: My favorite quote is from “The Power of Persistence” by Calvin Coolidge: “Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan ‘Press On!’ has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.”

Q: If stranded on a desert island, what books, music, and films would you take with you?
A: You’d find me reading Homer’s “Iliad” and “Odyssey,” and “Man’s Search for Meaning” by Viktor Frankl. I’d be listening to “Purgatory” by Tyler Childers, and I’d be watching “Dead Poets Society,” “Interstellar,” and “Good Will Hunting.”

Q: What is something you’ve learned while with BG and what kind of law are you currently most interested in?
A: On reflecting on my journey here at BG, I’ve gained a wealth of knowledge about the law, legal writing, our legal system, and what it takes to be an exceptional litigator. Right now I’m very interested in pursuing class action/mass tort and product liability law, as well as appellate litigation.

Cameron, thank you so much for joining us this summer and for becoming part of our Bailey Glasser community.

National Cancer Survivor Month – Partner Sharon Iskra’s Survivor Story

Authored by Sharon F. Iskra, Partner and Institutional Abuse & Neglect Team Leader:

A cancer diagnosis is a devastating shock to anyone. Not to be dramatic, but a second cancer diagnosis (despite you doing everything “right” the first time) makes you feel like you are marked for certain and impending death. I was helped through both of these by family, friends, and faith.

Authored by Sharon F. Iskra, Partner and Institutional Abuse & Neglect Team Leader:

A cancer diagnosis is a devastating shock to anyone. Not to be dramatic, but a second cancer diagnosis (despite you doing everything “right” the first time) makes you feel like you are marked for certain and impending death. I was helped through both of these by family, friends, and faith. I was also uniquely strengthened by a stranger who took the time to tell me, boldly and honestly, all the real details of her own cancer story. I will never forget how comforting it was to speak with one who had been there, lived that, and who just sitting across the table from me was living proof that one can thrive during and on the other side of cancer treatments. That’s the person I want to be for anyone facing a cancer diagnosis today.

I was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007. I had surgery and several rounds of radiation and chemotherapy. All my hair fell out and my white blood cell count dropped to levels that provoked serious concern among my doctors – but we thought, if it’s killing everything else, the treatment has got to be working. I ate right, rested/isolated/sanitized, exercised, etc. Despite all that, and while still on my meds, two years later I found another lump. It looked so uncharacteristic of cancer that my surgeon took it out under local anesthesia. I remember her reassuring me even as I was lying on the op table that it didn’t look like anything. We were both surprised when that proved wrong.

More treatment. More tough choices and a series of complications. In all, a total of six surgeries. Sitting on the couch saying, “I just want my normal back. I want to go somewhere where this isn’t my life.” I had vivid dreams of running through open fields and down desert roads to a horizon where this wasn’t my reality, even just for a weekend.

Lessons learned about obstacles like these: you can’t get around them, you can only go through them. Each of us is given a container with our numbered days, but no one knows the size of his/her container. Your only choice is how you respond to the obstacle and live out the given days. But you’re also far more capable and resilient than you imagined, and you’re not alone: the path you’re on has been trod by fellow survivors like me, who have long celebrated our return of abundant hair. Better yet, I’ve returned to thriving in my niche law practice, in fitness, and community service. I no longer desperately seek an elusive horizon; the cancer lives quietly now in my rearview where I only glance at it when I choose.

May it be so for you. I’ll sit across the table from you if you need me. And I hope you will be someone’s inspiring stranger and burden bearer one day.
————–
Partner Sharon Iskra is the leader of the Bailey Glasser’s Institutional Abuse & Neglect team and is a nationally recognized advocate and voice for the vulnerable. She litigates cases for children, individuals with special needs, and others who have been abused, neglected, or exploited in institutions such as group homes, rehabilitation centers, universities, hotels, foster care facilities, and other settings. In addition to her professional advocacy, Sharon’s personal passion for serving is also unique: in 2004, she paused her successful legal career for nine years to direct children’s and urban ministries at a local church. In addition to her caseload and CASA work, Sharon has served on missions to orphanages in Haiti and Africa in 2014, 2016, and 2019. She plans to continue her lifestyle of personal and professional missions effecting positive change at home and abroad for many years to come.

Learn more about Sharon’s advocacy here.

#Cancersurvivormonth #breastcancer #survivorstory

Luke Thomas Joins BG Corporate Practice Group

We warmly welcome new partner Luke Thomas to our Corporate Practice Group. Luke has over 15 years of private practice experience handling both transactional and litigation matters, and joins us after serving as an Associate General Counsel at ASTEC Industries, a publicly traded, billion-dollar international heavy equipment manufacturer. In his new role, Luke is handling a wide range of transactional matters such as mergers and acquisitions, commercial real estate, banking and finance, commercial loans, commercial contracts, private equity, construction contracts and disputes, dealer agreements and disputes, land use and zoning, payment and performance bonds, and health care contracts. He routinely negotiates and drafts multimillion-dollar transactions and has extensive experience leading high-volume transactions.

Read the full announcement and learn more about Luke here.

Partner Jackalyn Olinger Rochelle Named 2024 LCLD Fellow

Bailey & Glasser, LLP is excited to announce that partner Jackalyn Olinger Rochelle has been named a 2024 Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD) Fellow. The year-long Fellows Program positions distinguished attorneys from diverse backgrounds for leadership positions within legal organizations through relationship building and executive coaching. Learn more about the LCLD Fellows Program here.

Ms. Rochelle is a litigator with over 17 years of experience and leadership representing individuals and families affected by asbestos-related diseases, catastrophic injuries or deaths, and defective products. She is equally dedicated to community advocacy and volunteers with various organizations to help protect the civil justice system and the vulnerable.

“The LCLD program supports Fellows Program participants to ascend and excel in positions of leadership within the legal profession to increase inclusiveness at all levels,” Ms. Rochelle said. “I am excited to connect with and learn from like-minded diverse professionals and am looking forward to bringing these resources back to Bailey Glasser.”

Read the full announcement here.

#LCLD #Diversity #DEI #BaileyGlasser

Pro Bono Focus: Liz Stryker and Husband Wes Prince Profiled in The West Virginia Lawyer

Bailey Glasser’s Elizabeth Stryker was featured in the most recent edition of West Virginia Lawyer along with her husband, Wes Prince of Shaffer Madia Law, to discuss their joint commitment to pro bono work.

Liz and Wes’ dedication to giving back began with their involvement in legal clinics while law students at West Virginia University College of Law. Liz began her legal pro bono work in the General Clinic, while Wes volunteered in the Child and Family Legal Clinic, where they both gained hands-on experience representing clients. Notably, Liz believes her work in the Legal Clinic gave her experience and the confidence to start practicing law.

“I still volunteer for pro bono opportunities like Tuesday Legal Connect because I like to think that my service is a way of paying West Virginians back for the support and education I received at the WVU College of Law,” Liz said. “I always leave the office with a smile on my face after [a volunteering] session because the callers are so grateful to talk to someone willing to listen.” “It’s a very refreshing experience to help someone feel heard and like [they matter].”

At Bailey Glasser, Liz is a member of the firm’s Personal Injury practice group where she represents victims and their family members whose lives have been impacted by severe or catastrophic injury or death, and she also litigates complex product liability matters. Liz is also a member of the Electronically Stored Information (ESI) practice group, which develops and assists with complex discovery and document review strategies across our firm. Learn more about Liz’s practice here.

Read the full West Virginia Lawyer article here: Pro Bono Focus – Liz Stryker and Wes Prince.

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