WVBA Establishes Frederick P. Stamp, Jr. Award for Judicial Excellence; Inaugural Recipient Named

For Immediate Release

Contact: Lindsey Scripture, Executive Director
The West Virginia Bar Association
681-666-9822
director@wvbarassociation.org

West Virginia Bar Association Establishes Frederick P. Stamp, Jr. Award for Judicial Excellence; Inaugural Recipient Named

WHEELING, W.Va. — In existence for more than 130 years and one of the nation’s oldest bar associations, the West Virginia Bar Association will hold its Annual Meeting on August 18 and 19.  A highlight of the meeting will be the presentation of a new award established and named in honor of Wheeling resident the Honorable Frederick P. Stamp, Jr., Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia, senior status.  Judge Stamp is a Past President of the West Virginia Bar Association.

The Honorable Ronald E. Wilson, Judge of the First Judicial Circuit (Brooke, Hancock, and Ohio Counties), has been selected as the inaugural recipient. 

The award is given to a judge who has contributed significantly to the administration of justice in West Virginia.  Judge Wilson has been on the bench since his initial appointment in 1981 by then-Governor Jay Rockefeller.  Among Judge Wilson’s many honors are President of the West Virginia Judicial Association and being named a West Virginia Bar Foundation Fellow.  Judge Wilson has served on the Harvard Medical School Department of Continuing Education faculty for its asbestos course, and he has taught evidence to West Virginia judicial law clerks and mental hygiene commissioners.  Judge Wilson has presided at the circuit court level over all asbestos personal injury litigation in the State of West Virginia since 2003. 

Judge Wilson was chairperson of the Judicial Investigation Commission until 2019. He has served as president of the West Virginia Judicial Association and was chairman of the committees responsible for revising the West Virginia Judicial canons and updating the West Virginia Rules of Evidence. In 2004, he was named a West Virginia Bar Foundation Fellow and in 2013 he was named Judge of the Year by the West Virginia Association for Justice.

“As one of the oldest state judges, I feel fortunate to be selected by one of the oldest Bar Associations in the United States as the recipient of the Frederick P Stamp, Jr. Award for Judicial Excellence,” said Judge Wilson.  “The West Virginia Bar Association is one of the most respected Bar Associations in the country, because it is voluntary, with a history of specialized legal education that began years before it was required for all West Virginia lawyers.”

As stated by one of the individuals who nominated Judge Wilson, his “commitment to the communities he serves and the law are genuine.  He never takes his responsibilities lightly . . . with special emphasis in his role as a judge in child abuse and neglect cases.  He listens to the people in front of him and renders his opinions fairly and equitably.”

Wheeling attorney Sandra Chapman, President of the West Virginia Bar Association, stated, “We are so pleased to honor both Judge Stamp and Judge Wilson with this award.  We look forward to such a special time at our meeting, and we welcome members and non-members to register.”

Judge Wilson said he takes great joy in the fact that the Honorable Judge Frederick Stamp, Jr., the epitome of a federal judge who spent his lifetime in public service, while also being a model for all judges, agreed with his selection. 

“It is an honor that West Virginia Bar Association President, attorney Sandra Chapman, who also has a reputation for public service while being recognized as one of the top lawyers in West Virginia, agreed with my selection,” said Judge Wilson.

To register for the West Virginia Bar Association’s 136^th Annual Meeting at The Greenbrier Resort, please visit www.wvbarassociation.org.

ABOUT THE WEST VIRGINIA BAR ASSOCIATION
Founded in 1886, the WVBA is the voluntary association for West Virginia’s legal profession, including attorneys, judges, legal assistants, law students and other individuals associated with the legal community. The association aims to foster a culture of collegiality, ethics, courtesy, and professionalism while enhancing the success and well-being of its members through education, networking, leadership, and professional development. Learn more at www.wvbarassociation.org.

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