Women of Achievement honoree #1: Anita Casey

Meet Anita Casey, one of this year’s 2009 YWCA Women of Achievement honorees and the first in our 4-week series of blog posts leading up to this inspirational event on February 19. This year marks the 13th annual YWCA Women of Achievement Awards Luncheon, honoring the outstanding women in our community whose personal and professional achievements inspire and empower other women to strive for their highest goals.

Anita Casey boldly went where no woman had gone. Last year, she became the first female Executive Director of the West Virginia State Bar, following her successful 25-year law career. In her early years, this Charleston native received undergraduate degrees in english and education and a master’s degree in library science at the University of Kentucky. After working as a librarian early in her career, her growing interest in law landed her at WVU where she earned her law degree in 1982.

As a partner at what became MacCorkle, Lavender & Casey PLLC, Anita focused primarily on civil defense litigation and worked extensively as a mediator. She has conducted hundreds of mediations and arbitrations, both in her private practice and while serving as a panel member for United States Arbitration and Mediation, Resolute Systems Inc., JAMS/Endispute, and Justus/MANA. Her dynamic personality and unprecedented expertise landed her countless speaking engagements at the National Business Institute, WVU College of Law’s Continuing Legal Education Program, the WV State Bar, WV Trial Lawyers, the Defense Trial Counsel of WV, and Kanawha County Schools, among others. She was selected as a “Super Lawyer” in the West Virginia Super Lawyers magazine and was recognized four consecutive years (2005-2008) as one of the Best Lawyers in America.

Apart from her work in and out of the courtroom, Anita regularly volunteers with her church and her son’s Boy Scout troop. She also served as an officer for various athletic organizations and on the Keep-A-Child in School board of directors. Anita’s view of volunteerism as a natural extension of a lawyer’s responsibilities has prompted her to encourage more public service from the State Bar’s 6,300 members.