THE WEST VIRGINIA STATE BAR
YOUNG LAWYER SECTION

Monday, November 9, 2009

WATKINS NAMED 2009 WEST VIRGINIA YOUNG LAWYER OF THE YEAR

Melissa Watkins is located in the Morgantown office of Steptoe & Johnson PLLC.  She concentrates her practice of law in the areas of taxation, business and commercial planning, non-profit tax issues, business formation, executive compensation, and nonqualified deferred compensation.  She is a licensed certified public accountant.  Ms. Watkins is a member of the West Virginia Society of CPAs, the Board of Directors, Executive Committee, Finance Committee, and Bylaws Committee of Fairmont State Foundation, Inc., and is a volunteer for Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA).  Ms. Watkins also serves as an adjunct lecturer at the College of Business & Economics at West Virginia University.  Ms. Watkins received her legal education at West Virginia University and is recognized in The Best Lawyers in America®.  

Ms. Watkins is currently leading the effort to obtain non-profit status for The Main Street Artists Co-Op, which showcases the works of Appalachian artists.  She became involved with the project after successfully obtaining 501(c)(6) status for another local organization. Last year, Ms. Watkins amassed 358 pro-bono hours and was named the West Virginia State Bar Young Lawyer of the Year.