Stewart's Legislative Education Series

John N. Ellem is a lifelong resident of Wood County, West Virginia. 

He earned his undergraduate degree in Economics from Wheeling Jesuit University and his law degree from the WVU College of Law in 1992.

He opened Ellem Law Office, PLLC, in 2000 representing clients in WV and OH. Since July 2024, he has served as Deputy General Counsel for the WV Ethics Commission. He is also involved in human rights work as the Vice President of Human Rights for Kids.

 Mr. Ellem served 14 years (2001–2014) as a member of the West Virginia House of Delegates, representing the 10th District. Prior to becoming a legislator, Mr. Ellem served as a member of the WV Ethics Commission from 1999 to 2000.

Along with his wife, Sherry, and daughter, Sara, he enjoys biking, hiking, and fly-fishing. He enjoys an active yoga practice and is a registered yoga teacher (500 RYT) through Yoga Alliance. He currently teaches yoga at Snowshoe, WV.

He was a strong advocate who understood and lived the independent living philosophy. He was a role model and mentor to advocates and others in the disability community. 

He volunteered countless hours of his time to monitor the Legislature and was a key member of the grassroots disability movement in our state. He was an authority and resource on disability rights and issues that affect the lives of people with disabilities. He was an important part of the advocacy team at the Capitol and was respected and listened to. He was one of a handful of experts on the ADA and other disability rights laws and was a resource to the State ADA Coordinator, the legislature, the State Fire Marshall, the Human Rights Commission, and many other state agencies and public entities.

He was the person many of us turn to when we had a problem and was always ready with a solution. He was recognized on the state, regional, and national level as an advocate and as a resource. He was a leader, teacher, mentor, guide, and peer to many of us.  

She was one of the pioneers in the independent living movement in West Virginia and has been recognized nationally for her contributions to independent living and the rights of people with disabilities. She has been an advocate for people with disabilities all her life. She was one of the original staff members at the Huntington Center for Independent Living, the first CIL in West Virginia (now known as Mountain State Centers for Independent Living). She developed the peer-counseling program and coordinated the Transition Program for teenagers and young adults with disabilities.

She was one of the founders of the Fair Shake Network and served as the coordinator for several years.  She led the fight to close Colin Anderson Center, the last state institution for people with developmental disabilities in West Virginia. 

She developed and coordinated the Partners in Policymaking (PIP) program in West Virginia.

She helped author the legislation to close Colin Anderson Center, the Assistive Technology Revolving Loan Fund legislation, the Ron Yost Personal Assistance Services Act, the Independent Living Act, and others too numerous to name..

She was the coordinator for West Virginia in the national effort to secure the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.