August 4, 2026

BAR LINKS:

1. In Memoriam January to Date 2026

2.Career Services

3.Lawyer Referral Service

4.Membership Directory

5.Membership Portal Login

6.The WV Lawyer


Website Quick Links


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.

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

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

NEWS

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

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

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

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

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.

EVENTS

August 6, 2026

 Ten Costly Billing & IOLTA Mistakes

and How to Avoid Them

 

HOST: The West Virginia Bar

LOCATION: Live Webinar 

CLE: 1.2 credits including 1.2 ethics credits


CLICK HERE to Register

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

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.orgfor additional information.

Save the Date

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 


Click Here for Sponsorship Registration Information


For more information contact Chuck Steele at chuck@steeleresolve.com or Jami Cooper at jami.cooper@cooperlawwv.com


Registration opens August 11, 2026

The West Virginia State Bar

www.wvbar.org

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