The closing of a WVU Athletic Department bond issue in 1985.
1992 to resume her practice. She served as the managing member of the firm’ s Bridgeport, Martinsburg, Morgantown and Wheeling offices and was instrumental in the development and growth of the firm’ s presence in the northern part of the state.
Over the course of her career, Willis Miller has developed a broad-based business practice in which she represents hospitals and health care providers, 501( c)( 3) organizations and higher education institutions in financial and business transactions, including tax-exempt financings.
“ I knew I wanted to do business law, and Jackson Kelly asked if I would be willing to do bond work,” she says.“ They do not teach bond work in law school, so I said,‘ Tell me what a bond is, and I’ ll be glad to do it.’ It turned out to be the perfect fit, particularly for someone who wanted to drop out of law school to become a social worker. Bond work is public finance, doing the legal work for governmental entities and nonprofits to borrow money for water and sewer systems, college housing facilities, hospitals and other public or charitable projects. So, if I had known what bond work was, I would have chosen it without even being asked.”
Willis Miller was one of the first lawyers in the state to focus on public-private partnerships to provide educational and other facilities. She has assisted in the transition of several health care facilities from public to private status and has been involved in many hospital financings throughout West Virginia. She also regularly represents government entities in economic development initiatives. In addition, Willis Miller engages in commercial transactions, including bank financings, the purchase and sale of assets and low-income housing tax credits.
Today, Willis Miller is a resident in Jackson Kelly’ s Morgantown office. In
WVU College of Law’ s law review editorial staff from 1973-74.
this position, she leads a team of younger lawyers who work on financial and other business transactions for government and nonprofit organizations.
“ Much of what I am doing now is mentoring others,” she says.“ It is a process of transition. You start with the younger lawyer assisting you on a transaction you lead. Over time, you start assisting the younger lawyer with transactions that he or she leads. The investment is worthwhile because it benefits not just the younger lawyer but also the firm and the clients you have worked with for years.”
Willis Miller has always given back to her community, regardless of where she was practicing law. While in Charleston, she served as the board chair of both Daymark, Inc. and the Schoenbaum Family Enrichment Center, Inc. and as a board member of the United Way of Central West Virginia, West Virginia Health Right and the YWCA. She has also been a member of the Center for Rural Health Development’ s loan committee since its inception and received a Leadership in Rural Health Award from the center in 2011.
Since moving to Morgantown, she has served as a member of Governor Earl Ray Tomblin’ s Early Childhood Planning Task Force. She recently completed terms as the board chair of the Monongalia County Child Advocacy Center and the secretary of Arts Monongahela. In addition, she is always willing to assist nonprofit entities with organizational matters— she regularly consults with or drafts bylaws for organizations such as the free health clinic and the homeless initiative.
In addition to these boards and community causes, Willis Miller cherishes her appointment to and current service on WVU’ s board of governors.
Willis Miller with Samme Gee and Ellen Cappellanti at a Jackson Kelly business law women’ s weekend.
“ Serving on the WVU board of governors combines almost everything I care about into one opportunity,” she says.“ A land grant institution, WVU’ s mission embraces things I care deeply about— education, health care and prosperity. I have always worked to improve the lives of children. Educating young adults, many of whom are first-generation college students, is vital to that improvement. Improving the lives of children means improving the lives of their families who need stable incomes, safe places to live and opportunities to succeed. WVU’ s focus on economic development through West Virginia Forward and other activities can help bring those opportunities.”
The goal Willis Miller set as an undergraduate at WVU to stay close to West Virginia and help its people have better lives here is even more deep-rooted today and continues to drive her to succeed and give back to the state.
“ I am a life-long West Virginian and truly have never had any desire to be anywhere else,” she says.“ I have always garnered strength from the hills and from my heritage. I have had a wonderful professional and personal life here, and I want to help others have the same.” •
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