Wilton “Trey” V. Byars, III was named a Fellow of the Mississippi Bar Foundation and was inducted April 11 at the Foundation’s Annual Meeting and Fellows Induction Ceremony in Jackson. For those of you who may not be familiar with the Bar Foundation, here’s some information about it from the MS Bar’s website:

“The Mississippi Bar Foundation, Inc. was organized in 1963. Since then the Foundation’s members have come to represent the highest level of professionalism and competence for a Mississippi lawyer. Over the years, through its Fellows program the Foundation has recognized outstanding members of the Bar. Since 1984, the Foundation has administered the Interest on Lawyers Trust Accounts Program. Since its inception IOLTA grants in excess of $12 million have been awarded. In 1987 the Bar Foundation dedicated the Mississippi Bar Center. Not only is it a visible symbol of the legal profession, it is a functional facility serving the Bar and Mississippi lawyers. It is used regularly by Bar members for depositions, mediations, arbitrations and client conferences. It also houses the staffs of the Foundation and the Bar. The Foundation has also provided financial assistance for many law related programs and projects, provided scholarship assistance and support to both of Mississippi’s Law Schools and has financially supported law-related public education programs, such as the statewide high school mock trial competition, to improve public understanding of the legal system.”

“The Fellows designation is the Foundation’s highest honor. Only 10% of the lawyers in Mississippi are eligible for membership as a fellow. Their selection is recognition by their peers that the attorney has achieved the highest level of professionalism, competence and leadership. Fellows are selected for membership based not only on their excellence as a lawyer but also by their dedication and service to the public and profession.”