Networks & Professional Associations
Bowles Rice has been elected to membership in The Trial Network, a not-for-profit association formed in 1993 to strengthen strategic business relationships among the country’s leading trial law firms. More than thirty years later, the Network's 24 member firms partner with their meticulously selected peers to capitalize on the power of those relationships. Trial Network firms represent more than 3,600 attorneys practicing in more than 120 offices throughout the United States.
Several Bowles Rice attorneys are members of the American Bar Association (ABA), the national representative of the legal profession that promotes quality legal education, competence, ethical conduct and professionalism and encourages pro bono and public service by its members. Founded in 1878, the ABA is committed to advancing the rule of law across the United States and beyond by providing practical resources for legal professionals, law school accreditation and more.
Defense Trial Counsel of West Virginia
Bowles Rice is a member of The Defense Trial Counsel of West Virginia (DTCWV) and several of our lawyers have served on its board; two are past presidents. Among the organization’s goals are support and advocacy for improvement of the adversary system of jurisprudence; elevating the standards of trial practice within West Virginia; to work for the elimination of court congestion and delays in civil litigation; and to enhance the knowledge and improve the skills of civil defense attorneys.
Membership in the organization is restricted to attorneys licensed in the State of West Virginia who devote the majority of their practice to representing defendants in civil litigation of various types.
Claims and Litigation Management Alliance
The Claims and Litigation Management Alliance (CLM) is dedicated to meeting the professional development needs of the claims and litigation management industries. Through our membership, our attorneys benefit from networking events, continuing education programs and a wide variety of industry resources.
Gas and Oil Association of West Virginia
For over 100 years, Bowles Rice has represented clients in the oil and gas industry. We are proud to be members of the Gas and Oil Association of West Virginia (GOWV), a non-profit corporation working to promote and protect all aspects of the oil and natural gas industry in West Virginia. GOWV was born in December 2020 when members of the Independent Oil and Gas Association of West Virginia (IOGAWV) and the West Virginia Oil and Natural Gas Association (WVONGA) voted to combine into one unified trade association.
Metallurgical Coal Producers Association
Bowles Rice is a member of Metallurgical Coal Producers Association (MCPA), which was created out of the Virginia Coal and Energy Alliance, given a new name, and expanded into West Virginia. We support the MCPA's commitment to advance the good of the entire coal industry – both thermal and metallurgical alike – as we usher in a new perspective on the future of coal.
Energy and Mineral Law Foundation
Over the last century, our clients have included many of the region’s leading energy companies. As a result, Bowles Rice has been a member of the Energy and Mineral Law Foundation (EMLF) since its inception. Bowles Rice attorney J. Thomas Lane served as the organization’s President from 1992-93 and received its McClaugherty Award in 2006. EMLF is recognized throughout the industry as a leading provider of education and information on energy, mineral and natural resources law.
We have several attorneys in the Martinsburg office who are members of Main Street Martinsburg, an organization dedicated in preserving the downtown’s heritage and history as well as encouraging a diverse economic ecosystem. This organization serves to promote Main Street Martinsburg as a community treasure for residents in the state.
West Virginia Bankers Association
Established in 1891, the West Virginia Bankers Association (WVBA) is one of the state’s leading trade associations and a powerful and effective advocate for West Virginia banks. Members of the Bowles Rice Banking and Financial Services Team are active members of WVBA, frequently provide presentations on topics of interest to WVBA members and are regular contributors to its publication, WV Banker magazine.
Community Bankers of West Virginia
Bowles Rice is a member of Community Bankers of West Virginia (CBWV) and serves as the organization’s General Counsel and advocates on its behalf before the West Virginia Legislature. Founded in 1995, the association represents the interests of community banks across the state. Bowles Rice lawyers are active members of CBWV, frequently provide presentations to its members and are regular contributors to its quarterly publication, Community magazine.
Bowles Rice is a member of the Virginia Bankers Association (VBA), which has served as the voice of the Commonwealth’s banking industry since 1893, and supports its efforts to enhance Virginia banking for the benefit of banks, their customers and their communities.
American Subcontractors Association of Western PA
Bowles Rice attorneys in the Southpointe office are members of the American Subcontractors Association of Western PA, an organization dedicated to improving the business environment in the construction industry through advocacy, communications, education and networking. The American Subcontractors Association of Western PA was founded in 1966.
Bowles Rice attorneys who practice in the area of creditors’ rights and bankruptcy are members of the American Bankruptcy Institute (ABI), the nation’s largest association of bankruptcy professionals. The organization provides its members with high quality conferences, comprehensive continuing education, effective legal research and dynamic networking opportunities.
Attorneys in our Parkersburg office are members of Downtown Parkersburg, an organization dedicated in improving downtown Parkersburg by better “supporting existing commercial establishments, fostering investment and entrepreneurial activities, creating downtown living opportunities, and promoting tourism.” The organization serves to see Downtown Parkersburg thriving and recognized across the region for its business, organization and amenities and more.
Contractors Association of West Virginia
Bowles Rice is a long-standing member and proud supporter of the Contractors Association of West Virginia (CAWV), which represents more than 450 businesses and 20,000 employees in the building, highway, industrial and utility contracting industries. For more than 75 years, the CAWV has been a leader of the business community in advancing legislative and public policy issues.
Constructors Association of Western Pennsylvania
Bowles Rice attorneys in our Southpointe, Pennsylvania office who practice in Construction Law are members of the Constructors Association of Western Pennsylvania (CAWP), the premier trade organization for union affiliated contractors in the heavy, highway, railroad and utility construction industry in Western Pennsylvania.
National Association of College and University Attorneys
All members of the Bowles Rice Education Law Group are members of the National Association of College and University Attorneys (NACUA), which advances the effective practice of higher education attorneys for the benefit of the colleges and universities they serve. NACUA is the premier organization in the field of higher education law and a primary source of information on legal developments facing colleges and universities.
NSBA Council of School Board Attorneys
Bowles Rice attorneys who are members of the firm’s Education Law Group are members of the National School Boards Association’s Council of School Board Attorneys (COSA). The organization provides information and practical assistance to attorneys representing K-12 public school districts and state school boards associations.
West Virginia Manufactures Association
Bowles Rice is a long-standing member of the WV Manufacturers Association, an organization that represents manufacturers across the state in policy, advocacy, and mobilization at the State Capitol and federally. Founded in 1915, the association serves to be a voice for manufacturing in the State.
Women's Energy Network (WEN) – Greater Pittsburgh
There are many staff and attorneys who are members of the Women’s Energy Network (WEN), a non-profit global organization of professionals who work across the energy value chain. WEN’s vision is to be the premier global organization that educates, attracts, retains, and develops professionals working across the energy value chain. Their mission is to provide networking opportunities and foster the career and leadership development of women who work in the energy industries.