This organization merged into the West Virginia Bar Association as its real estate division in 1996 , and Pill has served as chairman , board member and president .
“ I currently coordinate an email group of real estate lawyers that shares ideas , issues and questions ,” he says .
A key part of Pill ’ s investment in his profession as well as his home state is never forgetting how he got where he is and giving credit where it ’ s due . Along with the incalculable influence of his parents , Richard and Thelma , Pill cites his experience in WVU ’ s Phi Kappa Psi fraternity with steering his rudderless early undergraduate years in a more fulfilling direction . The organization introduced the young marketing major to leadership opportunities , public service projects and a broader social network .
“ I had no intention of going to law school during that time , but when I was a junior , seven members of Phi Kappa Psi started law school and encouraged me to do the same ,” he says . “ The direction of my life would have been totally different without the fraternity .”
In gratitude to his WVU experience and idyllic Morgantown upbringing , Pill established a $ 25,000 WVU College of Law endowment geared toward Phi Kappa Psi-affiliated law students . The Richard and Thelma Pill Family Law Scholarship also caters to students who , like Pill and
his brother , graduated from Morgantown High School and grew up in the city ’ s First Ward neighborhood .
Pill ’ s ongoing ties to WVU include serving as president of the WVU Alumni Association ’ s Eastern Panhandle chapter and on the association ’ s board of directors from 1997-2002 . He also serves on the university ’ s board of governors as well as the law school ’ s visiting committee . In 2005 , his devotion to the WVU community led to an Outstanding Alumnus Award .
“ Those experiences were so rewarding ,” Pill says . “ I was able to see so many students improving their lives and helping others . The opportunity to help our university by serving on the board of governors is a particularly great honor .”
Pill and his wife , Donna , have passed on a love for the Mountaineer nation to their three daughters , who have continued the family legacy by earning at least one degree each from WVU : Shannon Gallo , a bachelor ' s degree in journalism and a master ’ s in industrial relations ; Jessica Gingold , a bachelor ’ s degree in interior design ; and Christy Pill , a graduate of the WVU College of Law Class of 2018 .
Pill recognizes how fortunate he is to practice law alongside his brother , who he credits with setting a tone that allows the firm to be more than a family business venture .
“ Many people don ’ t get to be around
their sibling very often . I get to see and work with him nearly every day of my life ,” he says . “ David carries the main responsibility at the office so I can do additional community service .”
Pill , who provides pro bono legal work for Martinsburg-area charity boards , including serving in a chairman role for the WVU Medicine Eastern Division , makes no bones about his deep and unwavering devotion to the Mountain State .
“ My family has been in West Virginia for over 100 years , and my heart and soul are here ,” he says . “ The beauty of the state and its people are something I never want to leave .” •
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