2024
Shawn Morgan
Member , Steptoe & Johnson PLLC
Photo by Rick Lee .
MEGAN BEVINS
SHAWN ANGUS MORGAN , now a member of Steptoe & Johnson PLLC , experienced a quiet upbringing as the eldest of four children in the rural community of Apple Grove in southern Mason County .
Morgan initially did not consider a law career . At first , because she liked equally her high school anatomy and physiology classes and 4-H public speaking opportunities , she thought she might seek public office or become a doctor .
“ There ’ s a fun picture of me at 4-H camp when I was about 11 or 12 years old ,” she says . “ My mom had made me a t-shirt with iron-on letters that said , ‘ A Woman ’ s Place is in the House …,’ on the front and ‘… and In the Senate ’ on the back . That remains a true statement . Although , I have not campaigned for office since I sought a student board of governors role in Morgantown .”
In 1991 , Morgan graduated from West Virginia University ( WVU ) with a bachelor ’ s degree in liberal arts . In
addition to her student government role in college , she spent her time marching with the Pride of West Virginia and participating as a member of Delta Delta Delta , a women ’ s fraternity , where she served on the university ’ s Panhellenic Council , eventually becoming council president .
Morgan decided to stay in Morgantown for graduate school . When she first applied to the WVU College of Law , she wasn ’ t sure she would be accepted and even had a backup plan of pursuing a master ’ s degree in public administration . However , she soon received her acceptance letter and was able to put those fears to rest .
“ Maybe it ’ s because 30 years have passed since I graduated , but I remember law school fondly ,” she says . “ The first semester courses were eye-opening because I had little prior exposure to the law . Learning to grasp all that material was overwhelming in the beginning .”
Morgan enjoyed her more practical courses , such as trial advocacy , evidence and criminal and civil procedure . She liked moot court competitions and Professor Chuck DiSalvo ’ s bioethics seminar . An ethics class she took , taught by Professor Jack Bowman , was one of the most memorable , where she learned that law is more of a calling than a job and that significant responsibilities come with being a lawyer .
Over the past 30 years , Morgan has worked in several roles . Her first job as a public interest advocate fellow for Legal Aid of West Virginia taught her that every client should be heard and respected no matter their financial situation . She then began a position as an associate at Robinson & McElwee , where she learned through teamwork and working with more experienced lawyers .
Next , she clerked in the Clarksburg federal court for U . S . District Judge Irene Keeley , where she learned the importance of thorough preparation and how to write more persuasively . She then transitioned to working as an assistant U . S . attorney for the Northern District of West Virginia .
“ Working for the Department of Justice reinforced Professor Bowman ’ s advice that lawyers must do what is right at all times , and it allowed me the privilege of working with a great team of fellow prosecutors and law enforcement investigators ,” she says . “ All of those experiences led me to my current role at Steptoe & Johnson , where I ’ ve been fortunate to work for nearly 10 years now .”
At Steptoe & Johnson PLLC , where
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WEST VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE