Charleston, W.Va. – Legal Aid of West Virginia (LAWV) announced today that their new executive director will be Kate White, a long-time attorney who previously served as LAWV’s Access to Services Manager. White will take the reins from Adrienne Worthy, who has been executive director since LAWV’s formation in 2002.
“After 24 years with LAWV, and 28 years as a legal aid leader, I am looking forward to retirement,” Worthy says. “LAWV faces unique challenges, and I can think of no better person to head the organization than Kate White. Though departures are always bittersweet, I am confident she will lead LAWV successfully into the future.”
White is originally from Elkins, W.Va, and now lives in Charleston with her husband and three children. She graduated from Carnegie Mellon University in 2003 and received her J.D. from West Virginia University College of Law in 2007, where she was named Outstanding Graduate and maintains involvement through the Visiting Committee.
In her previous role as LAWV’s Access to Services Manager, she managed several staff members across different programs with the overall goal to ensure LAWV evaluates the best way to provide services and resources to as many West Virginians as possible.
“LAWV has been a cornerstone of my career, and my intention from the time I began law school was to serve the public and make a difference in West Virginia,” White says. “My time with the program, beginning with my fellowship in 2009, has only further cemented my belief that legal aid is crucial to our communities in West Virginia and beyond. With a solid foundation laid by Adrienne Worthy and an outstanding team, I am thrilled to move into this position to continue our essential work ensuring equal access to justice is available to all West Virginians.”
White also serves as president pro tempore of the Kanawha County Board of Education, is on the board of directors at YWCA Charleston, and is heavily involved in local school and community organizations, including coaching girls’ youth soccer. In 2019, she was named one of West Virginia Executive magazine’s Lawyers and Leaders.
The LAWV Board of Directors were tasked with selecting a new director and reviewed outstanding resumes from both external and internal candidates.
“We were encouraged by the talents of our internal candidates, which causes the Board to be optimistic about the future of LAWV,” says Board President Andy Nason. “Although we feel the loss of Adrienne Worthy due to her well-deserved retirement, we are energized by the process to identify her successor. We are pleased and excited that Kate White has accepted the executive director position and look forward to working with her.”
