Elizabeth McClanahan

Biography

Justice (ret.) Elizabeth A. McClanahan serves as Chief Executive Officer of Virginia Tech Foundation, Inc. (VTF). Located in Blacksburg, Virginia, VTF is an independent nonstock corporation established in 1948 for the sole purpose of managing Virginia Tech’s endowment and real estate portfolio. VTF’s wholly owned for-profit subsidiary, Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center, Inc., is a research park that catalyzes commercialization and industry collaboration.

Justice McClanahan began her legal career in private practice at Penn, Stuart & Eskridge, where she later became a shareholder, director, and management committee member. She was admitted to six state bars – Virginia, District of Columbia, Maryland, West Virginia, Tennessee, and Kentucky – and earned a Martindale-Hubbell AV Rating.

After practicing in the private sector, Justice McClanahan served as Virginia's Chief Deputy Attorney General and on the Court of Appeals of Virginia. Her legal career culminated with her appointment by the Virginia General Assembly to Justice of the Supreme Court of Virginia.

Before joining VTF, Justice McClanahan served as the President and Dean at Appalachian School of Law in Buchanan County, Virginia, her home county. Justice McClanahan has served as Chair of the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia; Vice Rector of her alma mater, the College of William and Mary; Williamson Fellow at William and Mary College of Law; Street Memorial Distinguished Visitor in Real Estate Law at Appalachian School of Law; El Paso Natural Gas Law Fellow at the University of Colorado School of Law; and on the Faculty for the Summer Management Program at Wake Forest School of Business and Accountancy. She is an adjunct professor of finance at Virginia Tech’s Pamplin College of Business, where she teaches Legal, Financing, and Ethical Issues for Entrepreneurs.

Justice McClanahan is an active member of boards of directors, including the Virginia Chamber of Commerce; the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine; Carilion Clinic; and Delta Dental of Virginia. Justice McClanahan has received civic and professional awards, including Virginia Jaycees Outstanding Young Virginian; the Roanoke Blacksburg Technology Council Ruby Award; Virginia Business Power 500; David M. Young Award, Virginia Oil & Gas Association; Virginia Lawyers Media “Influential Women of Virginia”; Virginia Business Legal Elite; the William Skelton Extension Leadership Award, Virginia Cooperative Extension; and The Top 50 Women Chief Executive Officers, Women We Admire.

Education & Certification

J.D., University of Dayton School of Law, 1984

B.A., College of William & Mary, 1980

At Virginia Tech since August 2019

Professional Achievements

Elizabeth is currently the Dean, Chief Academic Officer, and Chief Operating Officer of Appalachian School of Law. She previously served on the Court of Appeals of Virginia and the Supreme Court of Virginia for a combined 16 years. Prior to being appointed to the bench, Elizabeth served as the Chief Deputy Attorney General for Virginia.

McClanahan began her legal career in private practice at Penn, Stuart & Eskridge, where she later became a shareholder, director and management committee member. While at Penn, Stuart & Eskridge, she served as general counsel to Bur-Wil, Strongwell Corporation, and Virginia Gas Company, and represented clients such as Texaco; OXY USA Inc.; the U.S. EPA; Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation; Coastal Oil & Gas Corp.; AMVEST Oil & Gas, Inc.; CONSOL Energy Inc.; and Equitable Gas Company, LLC. She was admitted to six state bars – Virginia, District of Columbia, Maryland, West Virginia, Tennessee, and Kentucky, and she earned a Martindale-Hubbell AV Rating.

Elizabeth has also received 17 civic and professional awards, including statewide Virginia Jaycees, Outstanding Young Virginian; David M. Young Award, Virginia Oil & Gas Association; Virginia Lawyers Media “Influential Women of Virginia”; Virginia Business Legal Elite; and the William Skelton Extension Leadership Award, Virginia Cooperative Extension.

Service Related Contributions 

Elizabeth has served as a director on professional and nonprofit boards, including the North American Coalbed Methane Forum, National Chamber Foundation Board of the United States Chamber of Commerce, Energy and Mineral Law Foundation, Virginia Oil and Gas Association, Wellmont Bristol Regional Medical Center, Virginia Museum of History and Culture, the Virginia 4-H Foundation, VCOM, and other local nonprofit boards.