Bar Blast - August 25, 2026

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.

CLICK HERE to Register for MORGANTOWN Regional Meeting

CLICK HERE to Register for CHARLESTON Regional Meeting

CLICK HERE to Register for HUNTINGTON Regional Meeting

CLICK HERE to Register for CHAPMANVILLE Regional Meeting

CLICK HERE to Register for PARKERSBURG Regional Meeting

CLICK HERE to Register for FAYETTEVILLE Regional Meeting

CLICK HERE to Register for BRIDGEPORT Regional Meeting

CLICK HERE to Register for SHEPHERDSTOWN Regional Meeting

CLICK HERE to Register for MOOREFIELD Regional Meeting

CLICK HERE to Register for WHEELING Regional Meeting

HOST: Public Defender Services in conjunction with the West Virginia State Bar

Dates: Same as Regional Meetings

Location: Same as Regional Meetings (In-person only)

Time: 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

CLE: 2.4 credits including 2.4 in ethics

CLE

CLE Rule Spotlight

CLE Reporting Tip

Tips for Submitting CLE Credit

Click here for information and tips on submitting CLE credits for:

Approved Courses
Non-Approved Courses
Publication Credit
Teaching Credit

CLICK HERE for Rule 6 - Mandatory Continuing Legal Education

MEMBERSHIP

7 Day NOTICE

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 and Active not practicing Members must complete the annual reporting (FRD, IOLTA & Succession Planning) and pay annual fees for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. In addition, Inactive Members who are under age 65 must pay their annual fees for the 2026-2027 fiscal year.

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

NEWS

7^th 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

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

"Tuesday Legal Connect"

Earn FREE CLE Credit Providing Legal Information By Phone!

The State Bar needs volunteer attorneys each Tuesday evening in September from 6-8 p.m. to field legal questions from the public and provide LEGAL INFORMATION ONLY as part of the "Tuesday Legal Connect" program.

Volunteers from anywhere in the state can take calls remotely from their home, office, etc. All you need is a telephone and a computer/laptop/tablet.

This a great opportunity for: solo practitioners, small and medium size law firms (adopt a night as a firm), and for those in CORPORATE or GOVERNMENT jobs!

Additionally, if you are living/working out of state but are licensed to practice in West Viginia you can also participate!

Volunteers will receive 1 free pro-bono CLE credit for each two-hour shift completed. The more evenings you volunteer, the more cle credits you can earn!

If you would be interested in helping in September, please email David Frercks as soon as possible at dfrercks@lawv.net to reserve your spot.

EVENTS

August 28, 2026

WV Court Improvement Program -

Live Lunch and Learn Webinar

What Can Aetna Do For You?

Host: Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia, Court Improvement Program

Time: 12:00 - 12:50 p.m.

CLE: 1 credit

Platform: Live WebEx

Cost: Free

Overview: What Can Aetna Do for You is an overview of Aetna’s teams, resources, and supports. How Aetna is involved in the child welfare system in WV and how it can help.

Click Here to Register

Questions please contact Kandi Greter at kandi.greter@courtswv.gov

Opening of the Court Reception

September 2, 2026

Host: The West Virginia State Bar and West Virginia Bar Association

Location: Capitol Complex, House of Delegates Rotunda

Time: 3-5pm

Members of the Bench and Bar are invited to enjoy light refreshments to celebrate the Fall 2026 Opening of the Court in the House of Delegates Rotunda at the Capitol Complex. Questions about this event? Please contact Kevin Baker at bakerk@wvbar.org.

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

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.

September 18, 2026

Fifteenth Annual Lunch & Laughs With a Legal Legend

Host: WV Bar Foundation

Location: Morgantown Marriott by Waterfront Place

Time: 11:30 a.m.

Cost: See registration link below

The West Virginia Bar Foundation's Board of Directors invites members of the judiciary, the legal profession, and the general public to attend the Fifteenth Annual Lunch & Laughs with a Legal Legend. This year's honored guest will be Professor Vincent P. Cardi, West Virginia College of Law.

CLICK HERE to REGISTER and for more information

Please contact Stacy McGhee at the WV Bar Foundation (304-807-7598 or stacy@wvbarfoundation.org) if you have any questions.

Save the Date

September 24, 2026

Criminal Law Committee

Free Lunch & Learn Webinar

Host: WV State Bar Criminal Law Committee

Location: Live Webinar only

Time: Noon to 1:00 p.m.

CLE: Pending

Registration coming soon

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:

9:30-10:50 am: Social Brunch and Welcome
10:00 to 10:50 am: Free one hour of Continuing Legal Education (CLE) on golf liability cases around the country.
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

CLICK HERE FOR INDIVIDUAL REGISTRATION

CLICK HERE FOR SPONSORSHIP REGISTRATION INFORMATION

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER AS A SPONSOR

All newly admitted members of the State Bar are required to complete a mandatory Bridge the Gap program sponsored by the State Bar within twenty-four months after admission to the West Virginia State Bar per State Bar Administrative Rule 6.03(a). Attendance to Bridge the Gap is free to newly admitted members of the State Bar. Continuing legal education is available for completing Bridge the Gap program.

Host: WV State Bar Young Lawyer Section

Location: Bridgeport Conference Center, Bridgeport, WV

Cost: Free

CLE: Pendng

Registration Opening Soon

The West Virginia State Bar

www.wvbar.org

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