The West Virginia University College of Law
Morgantown, West Virginia
The Olivia Claire Obrokta Scholarship for Academic Excellence
This endowment was established by Olivia’s parents and provides a $1,000 scholarship for female students enrolled at the WVU College of Law. The scholarship is awarded to a female student with the highest class GPA after the first semester of the student’s third year. Students must be full-time status to receive this award.
To donate to the scholarship, please visit: https://give.wvu.edu/law, at the bottom of the page, click on “Specify Designation”. In the designation field, you can enter the fund number 3Z626, or the name of the scholarship.
2022 Recipient: Mary Williams
Ms. Williams is from Bluefield, Virginia, and graduated from the University of Virginia in 2017 with a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science and Biology. She’s been an extern with West Virginia University Health System Legal Services and for the Honorable Frank Volk, United States District Judge for the Southern District of West Virginia. She’s also the Senior Managing Editor for the WV Law Review.
2021 Recipient: Anna Filatova
Ms. Filatova is a 3L at WVU Law, an associate editor on Volume 123 of the West Virginia Law Review and is formerly a Russian attorney. Unlike all of the other members on Volume 123, Anna previously practiced law in Russia. However, after meeting her husband during a trek to Mount Everest Base Camp, she would enroll at WVU Law and go through the process of law school in the United States.
Anna’s passion for the law runs deep. She graduated from the Academy of Law and Management of the Federal Penal Service of Russia with a major in civil law. For two years after graduation, Anna engaged in very intense litigation in the Moscow Arbitrage Court. Most of her cases involved challenging state department decisions that held her clients administratively liable. Anna explained that because the government heavily controls businesses in Russia, it often leads to corruption.
At WVU Law, Anna has excelled both inside and outside of the classroom. Recently, while getting back into a live courtroom, she completed a full-time externship with the United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia. As a third-year law school student, she works as a clinician in the United States Supreme Court Clinic and she truly enjoys it. “Representing underserved clients brings true meaning to why we become lawyers: to make this world better for those who are less fortunate than us,” Anna said. Above all, Anna is a vital and well-respected member of Volume 123 of the West Virginia Law Review. Her prior real-world experience as an attorney is unique, and her careful attention to detail and dedication to her work are strong assets as an Associate Editor.
2020 Recipient: Sierra Williams
Ms. William’s is a third-year J.D./MBA student at West Virginia University College of Law. She graduated from George Mason University in 2017, earning her B.S. in Neuroscience with a minor in Psychology.
She is currently the Executive Notes Editor for Volume 122 of the West Virginia Law Review, President of The Federalist Society, President of the Tax Law Society, President of the Business Law Association, Treasurer of the Energy Law Association, and a Tax Research Assistant for Dean Elaine Wilson.
2019 Recipient: Allyson Chandler
Mrs. Chandler is a 2019 WVU College of Law graduate and a 2016 magna cum laude graduate of West Liberty University, where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature and minor in Teaching English as a Second Language. She is a native of Hamlin, West Virginia. At WVU College of Law, Allyson was the Chief Justice of the Moot Court Board, the winner of the 2018 George C. Baker Cup Competition, a member of the Lugar Trial Association, a clinical law student in the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Law Clinic and the General Litigation Law Clinic, a Dean’s Fellow, and a Teaching Assistant for Professor Hollee Temple. Following her first and second years of law school, she worked as a Summer Associate for Steptoe & Johnson PLLC in Bridgeport, West Virginia. Beginning in August 2019, Allyson will serve as a federal law clerk in the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.
2018 Recipient: Christine Pill
Ms. Pill is a 2018 WVU College of Law graduate. Christy is from Martinsburg, WV. Her undergrad is the from the University of Richmond, where she majored in Arts Administration and Dance. She also has a graduate degree from Columbia University in Strategic Communications. She’s currently a member of the WV Law Review.
2017 Recipient: Jennifer Winkler
Ms. Winkler is a 2017 WVU College of Law graduate and a 2014 summa cum laude graduate of West Virginia University where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and a minor in psychology. At WVU College of Law, she was the Executive Editor for the West Virginia Law Review, a clinical student in the United States Supreme Court Law Clinic, and a Research Assistant for WVU President Emeritus and Professor of Law David Hardesty. Following her first and second years of law school, she worked as a Summer Associate for Jackson Kelly PLLC in Charleston, West Virginia. Jennifer currently serves as a federal law clerk in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia.