Category: Pro Bono

Brian McAllister and Gabrielle Marcum Earn Legal Aid of West Virginia’s Distinguished Pro Bono Award for Bailey Glasser

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.

Read more here.

BG Files Amicus Brief on Behalf of Military Veterans

Bailey Glasser filed an amicus brief supporting military families opposing arbitration sought by Citibank in the case Pablo Espin v. Citibank, N.A., currently pending before the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. The Amici Curiae represented are the National Guard of the United States, the Military Officers Association of America, and the Reserve Organization of America. This case involves a proposed class of military members who are arguing that Citibank cannot force them to arbitrate claims the bank overcharged credit card fees, arguing federal laws on military-member lending negate arbitration agreements.

ERISA Practice Group Leader and former veteran Greg Porter stated: “We are proud to support military families in opposing Citibank’s efforts to force their claims into arbitration. As a veteran who served overseas, I understand the challenges that military families face when members are serving outside the country.”

Greg served four years in the United States Army, including 18 months on the demilitarized zone in Korea where he was part of the Joint Security Area forces in Pan Mun Jom. We thank Greg and all veterans for their service.

To learn more about Greg Porter visit this link.

To learn more about our ERISA and ESOP practice visit this link.

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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