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Save the Date
2026 Regional Meetings
Featuring:
- Regional Family Court Judges
- Criminal Law Update by Public Defender Services
- The Office of Disciplinary Counsel Presents on AI
HOST: West Virginia State Bar
Dates: As stated above
Time: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
CLE: Pending
Registration Fee: $155 includes lunch
Click Here for more information on the Regional Meetings
If you are a federal or state public defender, federal or state court law clerk, government lawyer, or a lawyer for Legal Aid of WV you may register for a discounted rate of $100. Please arrange to send a check for payment, or pay over the telephone with our Finance Director.
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ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP REPORTING & FEE NOTICE
ALL ACTIVE, ACTIVE BUT NOT PRACTICING, & INACTIVE MEMBERS
The deadline for reporting (FRD, IOLTA & Succession Planning) and paying annual membership fees for the 2026-2027 fiscal year is 11:59 p.m. September 1, 2026. All Active, Active but not practicing, and Inactive Members must complete the annual reporting (FRD, IOLTA & Succession Planning) and pay annual fees for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. NOTE: This does not include CLE reporting. See above CLE reporting requirements.
The Bylaws of the WVSB and the Supreme Court's Administrative Rules of the State Bar do not provide for the waiver of penalties and reinstatement fees (non-military). Members are obligated to notify the WVSB within 10 days of any change in contact information (Bylaw 2.02). Notice to members is presumptively deemed adequate if transmitted using membership information on record with the WVSB (Bylaw 13.02). It is the duty of every member to keep informed about the payment of membership fees, and failure to receive notice of nonpayment or suspension shall not affect the operation of such suspension (Rule 3.03).
CLICK HERE to PAY your ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP FEES
and COMPLETE your REPORTING
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION
This is not your CLE Reporting
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APPROVAL OF ABROGATION OF RULE 6.04
OF THE WEST VIRGINIA TRIAL COURT RULES
On June 26, 2026, the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia made and entered a Order approving the abrogation of Rule 6.04 of the West Virginia Trial Court Rule, which required the filing of physical copies of unreported cases or certain other legal authority when cited in motions or memoranda.
CLICK HERE for the Court's Order
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5th Family Court Circuit Vacancy
The Judicial Vacancy Advisory Commission is currently receiving applications to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Constance J. Thomas in the 5th Family Court Circuit serving Mason, Jackson, and Wirt Counties. Candidates must submit their completed applications and letters of recommendations or comment no later than 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 19, 2026. For more information about the application process, please call the Office of General Counsel at 304-558-2000. Interviews will take place in Charleston on Thursday, September 10, 2026.
CLICK HERE for Application & Instructions
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7th Judicial Circuit Vacancy
The Judicial Vacancy Advisory Commission is currently receiving applications to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Mark A. Sorsaia in the 7th Judicial Circuit serving Putnam County. Candidates must submit their completed applications and letters of recommendations or comment no later than 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 25, 2026. For more information about the application process, please call the Office of General Counsel at 304-558-2000. Interviews will take place in Charleston on Tuesday, September 22, 2026.
CLICK HERE for Application & Instructions
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U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
Fourth Circuit Criminal Justice Act (CJA) Panel
The annual application period for the court's CJA Appellate Panel runs from June 1, 2026, to September 1, 2026. Counsel with experience in federal criminal law and appellate procedure are invited to apply for panel membership using the CJA Appellate Panel Application. Applications are reviewed by the CJA Panel Committee, and the committee makes its final recommendations to the court of appeals each fall after completing its review of the applications. For members whose 3-year terms expire in 2026, reapplication can be made by a CJA Appellate Panel Renewal Application.
CLICK HERE for more information
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Employment Opportunities
The West Virginia State Bar reminds you that anyone looking for employment opportunities should check out the West Virginia State Bar's Job Listings Page and the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals Employment Page.
This week, we’re highlighting West Virginia Senior Legal Aid's search for an experienced attorney to serve as its supervising attorney in Morgantown to oversee legal work, which involves providing phone advice on legal matters to seniors from across West Virginia. The position is available immediately. Send inquiries and resumes to Robert Bastress, WVU College of Law, P.O. Box 6130, Morgantown, WV 26505 or robert.bastress@mail.wvu.edu.
If you are an employer and would like to post a job opportunity to the State Bar's website, you can do so by clicking here.
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Coming Soon for PACER:
Updated Password Standards Enforcement
Beginning August 17, 2026, PACER users who have not updated their password in the last 18 months will be randomly selected to update their password to comply with the updated password standards. Strong passwords are essential to safeguarding systems from unauthorized access. The new password must:
- Be 14-45 characters in length.
- Contain at least one lowercase letter, one uppercase letter, and one special character (all special characters are allowed).
- Not contain any part of your first name, last name, username, or email address.
Passwords must also be updated every 180 days. This will help reduce the risk of extended use of compromised passwords.
Impacted users will be prompted to update their password upon login. Users may skip the process three times before their account is locked. Once an account is locked, users will not be able to perform any activity until they change their password. Users are encouraged to update their password as soon as possible.
In preparation, users should ensure that they know their security questions and answers and have access to the email address associated with their PACER account in the event they need to reset their password. If users do not know their security questions and answers, they should contact the PACER Service Center for assistance. Users sharing their account should coordinate with their teams to avoid locking each other out. Finally, if using third-party software, users should check if they need to take any additional action as it relates to that software.
If you have any questions, please contact the PACER Service Center at (800) 676-6856 or pacer@psc.uscourts.gov. The PACER Service Center hours of operation are Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT. Due to the national management of this system, your local federal court or clerk’s office will not be able to assist you with any password-related issues; you must contact the PACER Service Center.
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Save the Date
Law Practice Succession Planning
August 21, 2026
Host: WV State Bar Succession Planning Committee
Location: Live Webinar
Time: Noon
CLE: Pending
CLICK HERE to Register
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September 17, 2026
7th Annual WV Estate Planning Institute
Host: WV State Bar Probate Law Committee and WV Bar Association
Location: Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center (In-Person and Virtual attendance)
CLE: 7.2 credits including 1.8 credits in ethics
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
CLICK HERE to Register and Agenda
Questions? Contact Amanda Fulk at director@wvbarassociation.org
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September 17-19, 2026
2025 Appalachian Addiction and
Prescription Drug Abuse Conference
Uplifting Lives and Changing Futures: Evidence, Education, and Hope in Recovery
Host: In conjunction with WV Judicial & Lawyer Assistance Program
Location: Morgantown Marriott at Waterfront Place
CLE: 24.6 credits including 12.3 in ethics/attorney wellbeing
Registration Fee: $199.00
CLICK HERE for More Information
CLICK HERE to REGISTER
A limited number of registration scholarships are available for judges, lawyers, and law school students. Contact Shawnette D'Arco at darco@wvjlap.org. for additional information.
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October 12, 2026
Par for the Court
Sponsor: WV State Bar Women in the Profession Committee
Date: Monday, October 12, 2026
Time: 9:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
CLE: Pending
Registration: $125
Location: Bridgeport Country Club, Bridgeport, WV
Schedule:
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9:30-10:50 am: Social Brunch and Welcome
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10:00 to 10:50 am: Free one hour of Continuing Legal Education (CLE) on golf liability cases around the country.
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11:00 am to 2:00 pm: 9-hole scramble
- 2:00: Awards presentation and putting contest
For more information contact Chuck Steele at chuck@steeleresolve.com or Jami Cooper at jami.cooper@cooperlawwv.com
CLICK HERE FOR EVENT INFORMATION
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The West Virginia State Bar
www.wvbar.org
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