Mark "Bear" Combs - Class of 2023
Before Law School…
Before law school, I was an actor/comedian living and working in Chicago. I have also worked for West Virginia Public Broadcasting as a documentarian. Check out my television special I produced with them, Still Taking Casualties, which discusses the veteran suicide epidemic. Prior to theatre, film, television, and college, I was a US Army Infantryman and fought in Iraq.
Why WVU Law?
I wanted to come to WVU Law for many reasons but, chiefly, I wanted to become a lawyer to help the people of the state of West Virginia and I knew that, as the only the law school in the state, WVU Law would be my best starting point.
Law Interest?
My main interest within the law is public interest advocacy. I believe the law should be used, “in service to the people… by valuing human rights and the rights of ecosystems over property interests.”
In 10 years…
In 10 years, I hope to be well on my way to dismantling the power structures which have sustained the colonial economy of WV for 130 years and allowed corporations to ride and rule, with near-impunity, over the people of the Mountain State. I hope to help bring about a cleaner, safer, more equitable, self-determinative future for my fellow Mountaineers. Montani Semper Liberi.
Outside of Law School…
Outside of law school, I enjoy spending time with my family, cooking, reading, and writing. I still regularly collaborate with actor/comedian/writer friends around the country and I am still trying to implement a play I wrote produced, but COVID has put a damper on things.
