Sen. Laura Chapman Balances Work, Legislature and Family
Photo by Joselyn King Trending
By JOSELYN KING
WHEELING - When West Virginia Sen. Laura Wakim Chapman drives to Charleston she is leaving her job as a constitutional attorney and a young family behind in Wheeling.
Chapman, R-Ohio, is serving in her first session as a state senator.
"I am a constitutional attorney who fights for people's First and Second Amendment rights in court," she said. "I am also the newly elected state senator for District 1, which encompasses Hancock, Brooke, Ohio and part of Marshall Counties. The term is for four years.
"So far, I have introduced several bills to help our families, fix our roads, and to lower taxes on our wonderful citizens. I have also introduced several bills to fight for people’s 1st and 2nd Amendment rights. I am fighting for the people of the Northern Panhandle every day."
While a newcomer to politics, Chapman, 38, has been an attorney for 13 years.
She and husband Matthew Chapman, also an attorney, have been married for 10 years. They reside in Wheeling with their son Jackson, 6, and daughter Eloise, 5.
"I am a fourth generation Wheeling resident," Chapman said. "I am proud of our community. We have the best schools and the best people. We are truly fortunate."
Chapman wakes up between 5:30 a.m. and 6 a.m. each day
"If I am in Charleston, I head to the Capitol Building at around 6:30 a.m.," she said. "I work until the Senate meets for caucus at 7:30 a.m..
"I then head to meetings and meet with constituents until we vote on the Senate floor at 11 a.m. After, there are more committee meetings and meetings with constituents. I am normally in my apartment by 8 p.m. or 9 p.m."
When Chapman is working in Wheeling as a constitutional lawyer, she has a similar schedule - but with some exceptions.
"My start time is later so that I can spend the mornings with my two young children," she said. "I head to work after I drop them off at school. Most of my day involves research and writing briefs to be submitted to court. As an advocate, I spend a lot of time researching the issues so that I can make the best arguments for my clients.
"I leave the office around 6 p.m. to spend time with my children. We usually play a game or do an art project after homework is completed. We love to play Uno and bananagrams. After dinner, we read stories and go to bed."
Her motto is, "Always do the right thing, even if it is hard."
" I was taught at a young age to live by my principles," Chapman said. "I try to live my life as a strong example for my children.
"I am not afraid of hard work or seemingly insurmountable obstacles. I enjoy finding ways to overcome the obstacles and I love coming up with solutions to problems."
She added that what keeps her in the Ohio Valley are "the bright spots."
"I was born in Wheeling. I graduated from Mount de Chantal," Chapman said. "The overwhelming majority of my life has been spent living in Wheeling and I can imagine no other place I would like to live.
"Growing up as a child whose father was in the military did cause my family to live elsewhere for a brief time. However, we chose to return home. There is something truly special about the Ohio Valley. It is a great place to raise a family because of the relatively low cost of living, the community of wonderful people, and the fantastic schools. If you break down on the side of the road, you can guarantee someone will stop within one minute to help. We are close to Pittsburgh, Columbus and Morgantown and truly have everything that we could ever need."
Her advice to young people entering the workforce is to "be the first person in the office, and be the last to leave at night."
"To put in the work before there are significant life obligations will pay dividends when life becomes more hectic," she said.
Chapman is a member of the Women's Club of Wheeling and the Follansbee Chamber of Commerce. She also is an alumni admissions volunteer for her alma mater, Middlebury College, and she volunteers at her children's school.
"I have always found that persistence is key," she said. "By outworking everyone else, chances of success are multiplied. I have found that the most difficult times in my life have made me who I am as a person. I wouldn't trade those experiences for the world. Even when things don't work out as expected, there is always a lesson to be learned from the experience."
She believes the futures of practicing law and the West Virginia Legislature both are tied to the community.
"Chances are that someone will need a lawyer sooner or later in life," Chapman said. "I believe that if a person is interested in the law and in helping others, the legal field is a perfect job for them. As far as politics goes, there will always be a need for fresh ideas and I encourage young people to run for office."