Abigail Patthoff

Professor Patthoff specializes in legal analysis and communication. She joined the faculty in 2012. Prior to that time, she taught at the University of Idaho College of Law. She has taught courses in legal analysis, advocacy, and judicial writing. In 2020-2021, she was awarded a Faculty Excellence Award, which recognizes exceptional contributions in the areas of scholarly and creative activity, teaching, and service. In 2022-2023, she served as a visiting professor of Lawyering Skills at the University of California, Irvine School of Law.

Professor Patthoff is a double Mountaineer: She graduated summa cum laude from West Virginia University with a B.A. in English, and she earned her J.D. from the West Virginia University College of Law, where she graduated Order of the Coif. Immediately following law school, she served as a judicial clerk to The Honorable Frederick P. Stamp, Jr. on the United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia.

Professor Patthoff is an editorial board member of the peer-edited journal, The Second Draft. She is also an active member of national professional organizations promoting and supporting the work of legal writing as a discipline. Her scholarly interests include teaching pedagogy and legal writing. Professor Patthoff is a member of the West Virginia bar.

Courses Taught:

Legal Analysis Writing & Research I, Legal Analysis Writing & Research II, and Advanced Legal Research