West Virginia Trial Lawyers Make a Difference
Throughout our state, West Virginia Association for Justice members are making a difference in their local communities and in the lives of West Virginians through their support and work with local organizations, initiatives and charities. This new feature celebrates the contribution these members make in their communities and the state.
Wheeling Attorney Scott Blass "Drives Fore a Cure" for Breast Cancer
Scott Blass didn’t plan on becoming a lawyer. He earned an undergraduate degree in political science at West Virginia University and intended to work in foreign relations at the U. S. State Department. His advisor suggested that he earn a law degree since that would improve his federal pay grade. He began studying at the WVU College of Law in 1984.
“As a law student, I became involved in the Lugar program and discovered that I really enjoyed every aspect trial advocacy. I gave up on the state department and decided to become a trial attorney,” Blass said.
When he graduated in May 1987, he received the Order of the Barristers Award for excellence in trial advocacy.
Scott began his legal career with a defense firm, working there for five years. During that time, he also served as an Ohio County assistant prosecuting attorney. But something was missing for him. “Doing defense work was not satisfying. The work environment is very adversarial, and even the clients didn’t appreciate the work that you did for them. It’s not what I wanted to do.”
He decided to move to the plaintiffs’ bar and joined the Wheeling firm of Bordas and Bordas in 1992. He is now a partner with the firm. “Our clients have been at the mercy of these corporations and still would be if they didn’t have counsel. We level the playing field, and it’s very rewarding. Without the civil justice system, these people would be out in the cold. Our clients are grateful when we help them—even when the case isn’t successful. Years later, they still thank you. They come by to see you. They bring vegetables from their gardens. You become an important part of their lives. I can’t imagine ever wanting to go back to the other side.”
Like many West Virginia trial attorneys, Scott is very active in his local community and with area charitable organizations. None is more important than Ohio Valley Breast Cancer Awareness and its annual Driving Fore a Cure golf tournament. Scott and his wife, Kathy have been married 25 years. Kathy is a breast cancer survivor. She was diagnosed in 2003 and has been cancer-free since 2004. Kathy and Scott founded Ohio Valley Breast Cancer Awareness, and she is president of the organization. During her treatment, Kathy and Scott realized that many women in the Wheeling area lacked the resources they needed post-surgery and through chemotherapy. These items included special camisoles and robes for mastectomy patients. Scott and Kathy started the organization to provide these items and more to every breast cancer patient in Wheeling-area hospitals. Other items include laptops for patients to use while receiving treatment at the hospital, boxed lunches for chemotherapy patients and special backpacks. Last year, the organization made a $10,000 contribution to Ohio Valley Medical Center for its state-of-the-art digital mammography unit. The organization also supports breast cancer research and public education.
Every year, the organization hosts its Driving Fore a Cure golf tournament to raise money for its programming and services. This year’s golf tournament, which was held October 8, raised $25,000. One of the new programs it will fund is “Strength for Life,” a special exercise and training regimen for breast cancer patients led by a fitness trainer. The program will help the patient improve self-confidence, regain use of the affected shoulder and arm, decrease stress, control weight and improve energy levels. Next year’s tournament will be held September 30, 2011.
In addition to his work with Driving Fore a Cure, Scott is also vice president of the Mountaineer Baseball Association, one of the largest PONY league baseball associations in the country. The league has more than 100 teams and about 1,400 players. As vice president, Scott is responsible for scheduling nearly 600 games, including all umpires.
Scott was raised in the Cheat Lake area, near Morgantown. His litigation experience includes both state and federal courts in West Virginia and Ohio. He has represented clients in a variety of personal injury cases including medical malpractice, products liability, premises liability, automobile collisions, tractor-trailer accidents and motor cycle accidents.
Scott and Kathy have two sons, G. T. and Sam, and are waiting for the arrival of their first grandchild in the spring.
For more information about Ohio Valley Breast Cancer Awareness and Driving Fore a Cure, go to http://drivingforeacure.net
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