Meet the Team
Dedication. Expertise. Passion.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Catherine Bond Wallace
Cathy is the Executive Director for ChildLaw Services, Inc. where she has been since January, 2013. Cathy loves being a part of young people's journey and seeing them be successful and empowered. Cathy believes in doing something meaningful, giving back, and doing no harm and has spent her career trying to balance the scales of justice for vulnerable populations. Cathy's favorite books are East of Eden, the Hunger Games Trilogy, and Blue Sword. When Cathy is not hard at work, she is enjoying time with her family cooking, reading, or being outdoors.
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
APOSTLE PAUL
LEGAL DIRECTOR
Monica Holliday
Monica Holliday is the Legal Director for ChildLaw Services, Inc. Monica has a love for working with children and advocating for their best interest. Monica's favorite books are To Kill A Mockingbird and The Bible. When Monica is not at work, this WV Young Lawyer of the Year recipient enjoys spending time with her family and her dog, hunting and fishing with her brothers, traveling and experiencing different cultures. One fun fact about Monica is that she is an avid Backstreet Boys fan!
Success is not final; failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts,
WINSTON S. CHURCHILL
PROGRAMS DIRECTOR /
INTEGRATIVE WELLNESS THERAPIST
Stephanie Legg
She is living and leaving her #leggacy by helping others find balance, growth, healing and wholeness through holistic approaches and trauma informed strategies. Stephanie's passion lies in serving as an advocate for children. With her three children and husband, they love to travel and hike trails all over the country, but nothing beats hiking, biking and SUP boarding in WV. Her favorite books are The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk, Daring Greatly by Brene Brown, and Oh, the Places You'll Go by Dr. Seuss.
The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.
ELEANOR ROOSEVELT
SUPPORT SERVICES DIRECTOR / PROGRAM MANAGER
Michelle Hale
Michelle Hale works in administration and programs with ChildLaw Services, Inc. Michelle has always had a passion for children, having adopted six children out of the foster care system. Michelle believes that helping children who have experienced trauma means treating the "whole" child - from the inside out. Each child is unique and processes trauma in their own way, so it is vital to pay attention to the cues given by the child, as well as listen to their voice, their story, in order to help them heal. Michelle enjoys reading and watching movies with her family.
As you grow older you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself and one for helping others.
AUDREY HEPBURN
MANAGING ATTORNEY
CHARLESTON OFFICE
Elizabeth Davis
Elizabeth Davis is a managing attorney at ChildLaw Services, Inc. Liz grew up in Charleston, WV, and has been practicing law since 2015. Liz enjoys working with children and seeing the immediate, positive impact her job has on the children she serves. Elizabeth's favorite books are Frankenstein and Freakonomics. When she is not working, Elizabeth enjoys playing with her dog, shopping, being outdoors, and listening to podcasts. It is well known in the office that Elizabeth loves Harry Potter!
People will forget whatyou say, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.
MAYA ANGELOU
STAFF ATTORNEY
PRINCETON OFFICE
Malorie Estep-Morgan
Malorie grew up in McDowell County, WV and is happy to provide legal representation to the children in that area and the surrounding areas of southern West Virginia.
She has been practicing law since 2009. She enjoys working with children and her goal is to make a positive impact on their lives. Helping those that cannot help themselves is the most rewarding aspect of her career.
When not in the office, Malorie enjoys reading Stephen King books and spending time at her children's sports and activities.
Malorie received her undergraduate degree from Marshall University and remains an avid Herd fan.
The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.
NELSON MANDELA
STAFF ATTORNEY
PRINCETON OFFICE
William O. Huffman
Bill is a native of Princeton and graduated from Princeton Senior High School. Bill's father was an attorney, representative in the House of Delegates and later a state Senator. Following in his father's footsteps, Bill became an attorney, graduating from WVU College of Law in 1994. Bill comes to ChildLaw as an experienced, successful attorney. He is passionate and caring for his clients, ensuring they receive the best representation possible. Bill is energetic, patient, and diplomatic. When Bill is not working, he enjoys spending time with his wife, daughter (also a successful attorney), and grandchild.
Before anything else, preparation is the key to success.
ALEXANDER GRAHAM BELL
VICTIM ADVOCATE / PARALEGAL
CHARLESTON OFFICE
Emily Miller Nelson
Emily has had a career in the legal field, human resources, and customer service and loves helping children. Emily spends her spare time studying her Bible and cooking and spending time with her family. She just started reading the Lincoln Lawyer and definitely enjoys anything John Grisham.
Fight for the things you care about, but do so in a way that will lead others to join you.
RUTH BADER GINSBURG
STAFF ATTORNEY /
PROGRAM MANAGER
MORGANTOWN OFFICE
Carolyn Cyrana
Having traveled all over the world, Carolyn has recently married and settled down in Morgantown, WV, to start a family. She has been working with children ever since she was in high school. For hobbies, she enjoys baking, reading and relaxing with a good video game. Her favorite books are Pillars of the Earth and The Giver.
Go confidently in the direction of your dreams! Live the life you've imagined.
HENRY DAVID THOREAU
VICTIM ADVOCATE /
PROGRAM MANAGER
PRINCETON OFFICE
Nancy Manning
Nancy comes to ChildLaw with 30 years of experience in the legal sector. Nancy has a passion for children, having reared three of her own and now helping with two of her grandchildren. When Nancy is not working, she enjoys doing things around her family farm, reading, and riding horses. A little known fact about Nancy is that the farm on which she lives has been in the Manning family since 1863!
Happiness is not a goal... It's a by-product of a life well lived.
ELEANOR ROOSEVELT
VICTIM ADVOCATE /
PROGRAM MANAGER
PRINCETON OFFICE
Lori Kinney
Lori Kinney lives in Princeton, WV with her 4 sons. She has called Princeton home for the last 14 years. Lori is a fierce advocate for children, believing all children deserve to be valued and loved, no matter how they come packaged. The true depth of Lori's passion for children is seen in how she cares for her children, 2 of whom are on the Autism Spectrum. As a paralegal and victim advocate for ChildLaw, Lori feels honored to be a caring voice, a smiling face, and even a shoulder to cry on for the kids served by ChildLaw. In her spare time, Lori loves to read and enjoys it even more on a cool fall day when she is outside, under a blanket, and sipping a hot cup of tea.
The best and most beautiful things in life cannot be seen or even touched; they must be felt with the heart.
HELEN KELLER
VICTIM ADVOCATE
MORGANTOWN OFFICE
Jennifer Nieusma
Jennifer Nieusma has an extensive background in the legal field and helping those in trauma move towards healing. Jennifer grew up in a military family and graduated from University of Maryland. She chose Morgantown to raise her family. Jennifer enjoys nature, reading and spending time with her toy Australian Shepherd.
Wherever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for a kindness.
SENECA
VICTIM ADVOCATE /
PROGRAM MANAGER
MARTINSBURG OFFICE
Clare Chesnavage
Clare Marie Chesnavage comes to ChildLaw in Martinsburg with experience as a foster parent, CASA worker, and having volunteered with at risk youth. Clare believes that surrounding yourself with supportive, positive people, is a big step in healing from trauma. She has a background in Criminal Justice, Forensic Science, and was a Navy Corpsman. Clare is an avid Agatha Christie and Arthur Conan Doyle fan, but also enjoys reading medical laboratory journal articles and playing bass guitar. Clare loves traveling with her husband and stays in shape working out with her virtual goggles. Fun fact: Clare worked at a zoo and aquarium in the Medical Department and is an artist with the Maryland Painted Screens Society. Clare’s favorite book is West with the Night by Beryl Markam.
I can do things you cannot, you can do things I cannot; together we can do great things.
MOTHER TERESA
LAW GRADUATE
MARTINSBURG OFFICE
Brandon Wasson
Brandon Wasson taught school before changing his career path to being a lawyer for kids ensuring their voices will be heard. He enjoys reading and is a huge Game of Thrones fan. He is newly engaged to the love of his life and looking forward to a wedding in the coming year.
Children are the world's most valuable resource and its best hope for the future.
JOHN F. KENNEDY
STAFF ATTORNEY
MARTINSBURG OFFICE
Daja Elliot
you can always find her at the dance studio teaching hip hop to kids of all ages. She loves to read, and while she cannot name a favorite, she could not be pried away from reading The Hunger Games trilogy.
You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.
WAYNE GRETZKY
MANAGING ATTORNEY
MORGANTOWN OFFICE
Melissa Stacy
Melissa Stacy is our newest Managing Attorney; happy to have found her home with ChildLaw Services. She is no stranger to the law, however, having practiced for more than twenty years in many disciplines. She is an avid Mountaineer and cyclist, but her greatest loves are her three children and puppy, Scooby.
Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.
MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.
VICTIM ADVOCATE
PRINCETON OFFICE
Karen Kelley
Karen Kelley, mother of 4 and grandma to one, loves spoiling and chasing after the newest edition to her family. She lives on a country farm over the Virginia border and has always got a project up her sleeve when she is not cooking or entertaining for her family. She is known for her style and grace and attention to detail and writing and organizing.
Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.
MOTHER TERESA
Special Recognition:
Kit Kat Benetar
Cat Extraordinaire
Kit Kat Benetar is the infamous ChildLaw office cat. She has been voted most likely to take a nap during the work day. Stop by our office to say hello and grab a few free hugs!
