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STATE BAR
YOUNG LAWYER SECTION BOARD VACANCY
Are you interested in joining the Young Lawyer Section Board?
District 6 (McDowell and Mingo) has a vacancy and is seeking a young lawyer representative to fill the remainder of a term expiring in April, 2028.
District 14 (Marion and Monongalia) has a vacancy and is seeking a young lawyer representative to fill the remainder of a term expiring in April, 2026.
To be eligible to apply for the vacancy, you must be a member in good standing with the West Virginia State Bar who has either been admitted to practice for ten years or less or be 35 years of age or younger. If you are interested, (or would like to nominate a young lawyer) please contact Nicholas Gordon, Esq., Chairperson of the Young Lawyer Board at nickgordonesq@gmail.com for more information.
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UPDATE YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION
The State Bar will be mailing orange postcard reminders regarding annual membership reporting and fees in June for the July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026 fiscal year. Please be sure to log into the membership portal and verify or update your contact information (Bylaw 2.02 (b)) by JUNE 1.
Information that you will need to verify or update include:
1. Name of Employer (If sole practitioner, enter the sole practitioner’s name)
2. Address of Principal Place of Business
3. Telephone and Fax Numbers
4. Email Address
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2025 - AWARD WINNERS
The West Virginia State Bar congratulates the following award winners who were recognized at the State Bar's Annual Banquet on April 3, 2025.
Young Lawyer of the Year – Joseph “Jay” Ford
Kaufman Award for ProBono Services - Jeff C. Woods
Mentor of the Year – Matt Jividen
Solo/Small Firm Lawyer of the Year - Bradley Wright
Government Lawyer/Public Defender of the Year – Eleanor Hurney
NEW STATE BAR OFFICERS AND MEMBERS
The West Virginia State Bar is pleased to announce new officers and members of the West Virginia State Bar Board of Governors for 2025-2026.
New officers are David D. Amsbary - President; Robby J. Aliff - President-Elect; and Kimberley D. Crockett- Vice President.
Newly elected members of the State Bar’s Board of Governors are Morgan D. Spolarich - Beckley; David A. Pfeifer - Princeton; Sarah F. Smith - Fayetteville; Michael W. Parker - Elkins; and Nicole A. Cofer - Charleston
Newly elected officers of the West Virginia State Bar’s Young Lawyer Section Board are Nicholas E. Gordon - - Chairperson; John M. Isner - Vice-Chairperson; and R. Mitchell Moore - Secretary
Newly elected members of the State Bar’s Young Lawyer Section Board are Madison A. Birchfield - Beckley; Patrick A. Erickson, Jr. - Princeton; Mackenzie A. Holdren - Summersville; S. L. Les Mallow, Jr. – Elkins; and Isaiah C. Robinson - Charleston.
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CLE Rule Spotlight
Change to Active Status
Per Administrative Rule 6.07, any attorney who wants to return to Active status who is currently on Active Not Practicing or Inactive status or who has been administratively suspended by the State Bar, or suspended or disbarred by the Supreme Court of Appeals, must complete a minimum of 12 credits of CLE, including at least 3 credits in ethics, within the 12 months immediately preceding the application and pay the applicable fees to change to Active status. Judicial status members who wish to return to Active status are exempt from this requirement.
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United State District Court
Southern District of West Virginia
Temporary Employment Opportunity
Position: Law Clerk to U.S. Magistrate Judge Dwane L. Tinsley
Appointment Type: Full-time, Temporary (Position expected to last for approximately 14 weeks, starting late July and ending early November)
Location: Charleston, WV
Open until filled. Applications received by May 8, 2025 will receive first consideration.
Click Here for more information
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Request for Public Comment on Amendments
to Rules 2 and 27 of the Rules of Practice and Procedure
for Domestic Violence Civil Proceedings
By Order entered on April 3, 2025, the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia is seeking public comments on proposed amendments to Rules 2 and 27 of the Rules of Practice and Procedure for Domestic Violence Civil Proceedings. All comments must be filed in writing with the Office of the Clerk on or before Monday, May 5, 2025.
CLICK HERE to review the ORDER
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RENEWED AND AMENDED LEGISLATIVE RULE FOR THE
PAYMENT OF FEES AND REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES
OF COURT APPOINTED COUNSEL
Public Defender Services’ legislative rule, codified at 89 CSR 1, establishes the guidelines for the submission of vouchers to the agency for payment of fees and reimbursement of expenses of attorneys appointed by the courts to represent indigent defendants in criminal proceedings or to represent respondents and children in child abuse and neglect proceedings. The legislative rule was renewed, with amendments, and made effective on April 9, 2025.
CLICK HERE to Review the Renewed and Amended
CLICK HERE for a Summary of the Revisions to the Rule
The OVS Help Desk at (304) 741-8650 is available to answer any questions.
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Adoption of Amendments to Rule 26 of the West Virginia
Rules of Juvenile Procedure
On March 20, 2025, the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia adopted amendments to Rule 26 of the West Virginia Rules of Juvenile Procedure regarding juvenile competency proceedings for delinquency cases.
CLICK HERE to review the ORDER adopting the amendments
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Adoption of Amendments to the West Virginia Trial Court Rules
On April 2, 2025, the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia adopted amendments to Rule 2 of the West Virginia Trial Court Rules regarding Terms of Court.
CLICK HERE to review the ORDER adopting the amendments
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May 2-3, 2025
Real Estate Conference
The West Virginia Bar Association will hold the annual Real Estate Conference at the Stonewall Resort in Roanoke, West Virginia, on May 2-3, 2025.
HOST: The West Virginia Bar Association
LOCATION: Live and Virtual Attendance
TIME: Saturday, May 3 from 8:00 – 4:30 pm.
Who should attend: This event is open to lawyers and non-lawyers
COST: WVBA Member $350/ Non-Member $425
CLE: 7 credits including 1.2 in ethics
CLICK HERE for more information
Registration is required and will be open until May 2nd at 5:00 p.m.
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Taking Care of Children
Child Abuse & Neglect (CAN) Attorney Training
HOST: Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia, Court Improvement Program
TIME: 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
CLE: 7 credits
LOCATIONS: As stated below
COST: Free
The WV Court Improvement Program invites you to attend Taking Care of Children CAN attorney training, May 5 in Charleston, WV and May 7 in Morgantown, WV (you only need to attend one). If you are a current CAN attorney or want to become one, please attend the training. CAN attorneys are needed, there are over 6,000 children in care, and less than 200 attorneys to assist these children and their families. PLEASE consider becoming a CAN attorney.
Click Here to REGISTER for South Charleston
Click Here to REGISTER for Morgantown
Questions, contact Kandi Greter at kandi.greter@courtswv.gov or 304-340-2755.
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May 16-18, 2025
WVJLAP Annual Conference & Retreat
Host: WV Judicial & Lawyer Assistance Program
CLE: 6.2 credits including 5.2 in ethics
Location: Stonewall Resort - Roanoke, WV
CLICK HERE for Agenda
CLICK HERE to REGISTER
Questions contact WVJLAP at 304-553-7232
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June 4 - 6, 2025
2025 PUBLIC DEFENDER SERVICES
INDIGENT DEFENSE ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Host: Public Defender Services
CLE: 12 credits including 2 in ethics
Location: Morgantown Marriott at Waterfront Place, Morgantown, WV
Time: See Registration link
Cost: See Registration link
CLICK HERE to Register
Contact Pamela Clark at Pam.R.Clark@wv.gov for questions
CLICK HERE for Hotel Reservations
Deadline for room reservations is May 7, 2025
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SAVE THE DATE
June 11, 2025
Pre-Birth Orders, Surrogacy, Adoptions, and More
Host: WV State Bar LGBTQ+ Committee
Location: The West Virginia State Bar Center and Webinar
Time: 9:00 a.m. to noon
Credits: Pending
Cost: Free
Registration opening soon
Facility Details: Due to limited capacity for live attendance at the State Bar Center, live registration is limited to the first 35 registrants. Attendance via webinar is also limited to the first 500 registrants. There is an increased interest in attending webinars, therefore, you are encouraged to register early to secure a link to attend virtually. All attendees, whether in person or virtual, will receive an email confirming registration. If you do not receive a confirmation of registration, you will not be able to participate in the seminar on the day of presentation.
Note to those attending in person: If you are unable to use the stairs from the first floor to the lower level, please drive down the driveway on the left-side of the Bar Center and enter the building at the bottom of the driveway. Handicap accessible restrooms are available. If you need other assistance, please contact the State Bar 304-553-7220, in advance of the meeting, so arrangements can be made with you.
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July 26 – August 9, 2025
CLE Abroad Program
Oxford, England
Host: University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law in partnership with the West Virginia Bar Association
CLE: 30 credits including 7.5 in ethics
Date: July 26 – August 9, 2025
Platform: Live
Event Highlights: Join us for the Oxford Summer School for a unique two-week educational expedition to the native home of common law. This international adventure includes optional excursions to Scotland, Ireland, Belgium, Bath, and Windsor.
*$500 refundable deposit due by April 21, 2025
CLICK HERE for more information
CLICK HERE to REGISTER
Direct questions to Amanda Rose Falk at director@wvbarassociation.org
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The West Virginia State Bar
www.wvbar.org
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