Haley Bunn
Justice, Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia
Photo by Alex Wilson.
KRISTEN UPPERCUE
HALEY BUNN’ s love of the Mountain State and its sense of community began while she was being raised in a Southern West Virginia coal mining family and homeschooled by her mother.
“ Some of my fondest memories are gardening with my grandad, enjoying the spoils of fresh summer cucumbers, tomatoes, corn and green beans and canning the most delicious pickled corn, beets and fresh tomato juice with my nana,” Bunn says.
Her father’ s career as a coal mining engineer often took him on projects outside of the county, giving her family opportunities to live in other parts of the state and region— sometimes even as far from home as Australia.
“ The early opportunity to travel and experience other parts of the state, country and world while still maintaining deep roots at home really shaped who I am today,” she says.
Bunn currently serves as one of five justices of the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia, making her the youngest woman and second youngest person to do so.
It was in middle school that she first took an interest in law, prompting her father to coordinate an interview with a lawyer friend about the field.
“ I was immediately enamored with the role of an advocate who applies the law to help a client and come to a just result,” she says.
While living in New South Wales as a teen, Bunn enrolled in psychology classes at the University of Wollongong before applying to her school of choice: West Virginia University( WVU).
“ I knew from an early age that I wanted to attend WVU, as I had grown up with a deep love for the Mountaineers and Morgantown through my parents,” she says.
She completed undergrad with a dual major in political science and psychology before continuing her education at the WVU College of Law, graduating in 2010.
“ It felt like a privilege to be studying and discussing the rule of law and its unique, central role in our United States,” she says.“ When I applied to law school and even right after I graduated, I didn’ t appreciate how much my job satisfaction would depend on whether I was having a positive impact on my community and the state.”
While in law school, she met her husband, Joe, and formed important friendships with classmates.
“ I think the challenges of law school really set the stage for you to find the people who will shape your life for years to come,” she says.
Bunn’ s first job in the field was at the civil defense firm Steptoe & Johnson, where she learned many valuable skills, particularly in litigation.
“ I was given opportunities to jump into the throes of depositions and hearings very early on,” she says.“ Those opportunities helped me learn how to think on my feet and advocate well through motions and briefings.”
Bunn quickly felt a call to work in public service, particularly wanting to help curb the effects of the state’ s opioid epidemic. To answer that call, she transitioned to the U. S. Attorney’ s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia, where she prosecuted violent crime and drug cases with a specific focus on opioid diversion and related fraud by health care providers. There, she says she honed her trial skills and appellate advocacy skills and, most importantly, learned that the polar star for the practice of law is to do justice and let the rule of law prevail.
After serving there for eight years, she returned to Steptoe & Johnson before being appointed to her current position.
The state Supreme Court handles a
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WEST VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE