On January 22, 2018, Bailey & Wyant, PLLC Member, Suleiman Oko-ogua attended a networking reception and panel discussion organized by the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD) and the West Virginia State Bar at WVU College of Law. Ap

proximately 50 people gathered for the kick-off reception for the 1L Mentoring Program, a mix of first year law students and industry leaders. We are proud to announce that Oko-ogua has been named a 2018 fellow for the LCLD.

“I recognize what an privilege it is to be part of such an active organization that takes pride in diversity, leadersip, action and results,” said Oko-ogua, “and I look forward to the experiences I will have as a 2018 Fellow of LCLD”.

The event launched the 2017-2018 mentoring program for first year law students, and connnected those students with law industry leaders. Panelists at the event included Ellen Cappellanti, Managing Partner at Jackson Kelly, PLLC; Kathleen Goldman, Partner at Buchana Ingersoll & Rooney; Tom Heywood, Managing Partner and CEO of Bowles RIce LLP; Meshea Poore, President of the WV State Bar; Stephen Scott, W.E.B. Du Bois Fellow & Vice President of the Student Bar Association and Monte Williams, Partner at Steptoe & Johnson LLP.

WVU College of Law joined the LCLD in July of 2016 to create opportunities for minority law students. In a press release dated from July, Dean of the College of Law, Gregory Bowman proudly supported the LCLD and their dedicated work to create opportunities for miniory students and make a positie impact on the profession.

Founded in 2009, the LCLD is made up of more than 265 corporate chief legal officers and law firm managing partners, working together to build a more open and diverse legal profession. United by a spirit of activism and personal commitment, LCLD Members participate widely in programs they have created, leading by example, taking action and challenging the legal profession to prepare for future generatsion fo diverse talent for the highest positions of leadership, according to the LCLD website.