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2025 AWARDS RECEPTION
Written by Kenzie Dye Photos by Christopher Lunsford
O n September 4, 2025, West Virginia Executive( WVE) and the West Virginia University( WVU) College of Law recognized the Lawyers & Leaders Class of 2025, an outstanding group that is making strides in the legal community.
Guests joined WVE at the WVU College of Law to celebrate the awardees and their continued commitment to making a positive impact. Each honoree was chosen for their dedication to serving their communities and sparking change, whether through legal practice, educating future lawyers or engaging in charitable work across West Virginia and beyond.
The Lawyers & Leaders Class of 2025 is as follows: Jessica Alsop, senior vice president and chief legal officer for WVU Health System; Chuck Bailey, co-managing member at Bailey & Wyant, PLLC; Ashley Batten, public defender for youth clients at Public Defender Corporation for the 27th Judicial Circuit; Haley Bunn, justice for
Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia; Melissa Giggenbach, teaching associate professor and program director at West Virginia Innocence Project Clinic; Imad Matini, partner at Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP; TJ Obrokta Jr., president and CEO of Encova Insurance; Amy Rogers, trial attorney at Dormer Harpring, LLC; Alys Portman Smith, first lady at Marshall University, co-founder of Wing 2 Wing Foundation and founder of Women Warriors Summit; Cameron Davis, WVU College of Law Class of 2025; and Kimberly Gray, WVU College of Law Class of 2025.
Established in 2017, this annual awards program aims to properly recognize the many exceptional professionals who received their education at the WVU College of Law or are currently practicing in the state. All Lawyers & Leaders inductees are carefully selected for their hard work in advancing the legal profession and advocating for the rights of their fellow West Virginians. •
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WEST VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE