December 23, 2025

Beware of Phishing Scams

It is very important to stay vigilant and adopt a cautious mindset when dealing with any request for personal or financial information. Phishing emails are becoming very common among our Bar members. Always verify the sender’s identity, especially if the message contains urgent requests or threats. Avoid clicking on suspicious links or downloading attachments, and always hover over links to inspect the URL before clicking. Contact the organization directly using their website information to verify legitimacy. Use two-factor authentication and regularly update your software.

TOYS FOR TOTS

Thank you

You are graciously thanked for your thoughtfulness and generosity to those less fortunate in our community who can now have a wonderful Christmas morning, with toys from Santa under the tree.

NEWS

STATE BAR

BOARD OF GOVERNORS VACANCY

The West Virginia State Bar Board of Governors has a vacancy for District 7 (Lincoln, Logan, and Boone) for a term ending April 2028.

To be eligible to apply for the vacancy, you must be an active member in good standing with the West Virginia State Bar with your principal office for the practice of law in District 7, or an active non-practicing member with a mailing address in

District 7. If you are interested, (or would like to nominate a member) please contact Kevin Baker, bakerk@wvbar.org for more information or to submit a letter of interest by no later than noon on January 19, 2026.

West Virginia University College of Law’s

Spring 2026 On-Campus Interviewing (OCI) 

Attention employers: Are you looking to hire a summer intern/clerk from the Class of 2027 or 2028, or an entry-level associate from the graduating 3L Class of 2026? Do you want the ease and convenience of collecting resumes and interviewing well-qualified law students on one day and in one location? Consider participating in the West Virginia University College of Law’s Spring 2026 On-Campus Interviewing (OCI) Session, running M-F from Monday, January 26 - Friday, February 6, 2026. 

Join many of West Virginia’s top private firms and public offices in recruiting talent right here at the College of Law! You can also sign up for our Resume Collection service, to interview candidates at a time and location of your choosing. 

To participate, private sector employers must offer paid compensation to summer interns/clerks. While paid employment is always more attractive to students, public sector employers may post volunteer legal internships or allow students to work for academic credit as part of a recognized externship with the College of Law. 

CLICK HERE To register your participation and navigate to “OCI and Job Listings” and then “+ Register for OCI” in the upper right-hand corner before January 5, 2026, at 11:45 PM.

If you have questions or would like additional information, please contact Brad Grimes, Interim Director of Career Services for the College of Law, at (304) 293-7750 or at tgrimes@mail.wvu.edu. 

Federal Court Filing System: CM/ECF and PACER Users

Password Reset and Account Status

On October 16, 2025, PACER released an update that allows users with CM/ECF-level access (e.g., filers, interested parties, etc.) whose account search status becomes inactive due to search inactivity the ability to reset their own password without contacting the PACER Service Center (PSC) .

Users with CM/ECF-level filing access can still file, even if their search status shows as “inactive” due to six months of inactivity.

Some common questions are answered on the PACER website on the MFA Tips and Resources page. Please visit this page before contacting the PSC, as most issues can be handled by following the steps outlined on the website.

When you need to contact the PSC:

• You will need to contact the PSC to reactivate your PACER search status, if your account has been deactivated.

When you do NOT need to contact the PSC:

• If you do not receive an MFA enrollment prompt when logging into PACER, no action is necessary.
• If you receive an MFA enrollment prompt, you can enroll on your own by following the steps outlined on the MFA Tips and Resources page. Support from the PSC is not required for enrollment.

Thank you for your patience as we work to reduce call wait times and strengthen account security. Contacting the PSC only when necessary will help ensure support is available for those who have an urgent need.  

Questions should be directed to the PACER Service Center (PSC) at (800) 676-6856

The West Virginia State Bar's Succession Planning Committee has recently updated the Succession Planning Guide available on the State Bar's website.

Click Here to View the New Succession Planning Guide

What is the National Constitution Center Scholar

Exchange Program?

The State Bar urges Bar members to reach out to local teachers, principals, and school board members to discuss opportunities to bring lawyers and judges into classrooms to discuss the U.S. Constitution through the NCC’s Scholar Exchange Program. The NCC maintains a list of participating scholars and provides emails about upcoming Scholar Exchanges regularly, allowing educators to select a presentation time that works best for their schedule. All programming is virtual, making hosting a Scholar and the NCC in a classroom streamlined and easy.

The Scholar Exchange Program is a free presentation that provides non-partisan information for students regarding topics like: the Constitution, Articles of the Confederation, the Bill of Rights, civil rights and liberties, and voter rights. Programming is tailored to the grade level of the presentation.

For more information regarding NCC educational opportunities or to sign your class up for a virtual NCC Scholar program please visit: https://constitutioncenter.org/education/live-online-events/peer-to-peer-exchanges

CLE

We are more than HALF-WAY through the 2024-2026 CLE reporting period.

Are you on track to complete your CLE credits?

• The CLE reporting period ends June 30, 2026.
• Active members must report a minimum of 24 CLE credits, including at least 3 credits in one of the four ethics categories. Lower CLE requirements apply to attorneys admitted to practice during the reporting period. Those attorneys should refer to Administrative Rule 6.04(a).
• No more than half of the total CLE requirements may be satisfied by pre-recorded presentations with no interactive component.
• Live/interactive webinars (i.e. Zoom with a live chat component) qualifies for live attendance CLE credit.
• Over 40 FREE online CLE credits are available on the WV State Bar website. These are recordings of previously presented State Bar courses. These courses/credits may be used to meet your CLE requirements if you have not previously completed and reported the course in a prior reporting period. Click here for a list of courses and credits.
• CLE must be reported via the online member portal at www.mywvbar.org.
• Check your CLE transcript for accuracy. Correction requests must be submitted in writing to compliance@wvbar.org  
• Confirm any credits that have been imported for you by CLE providers – such credits are “pending” on your CLE transcript. Credits are not part of your CLE total until they are confirmed.

CLE Rule Spotlight

Submitting Course for CLE

As we enter the final 6 months of the current CLE reporting period, please remember that no more than half of the total required mandatory continuing legal education requirements may be satisfied by pre-recorded presentations that do not offer an interactive component. These are “online/AV” credits, and they will only count toward half of the required credits regardless of the number of these online/AV credits you have reported. Rule 6.05(c). You must review your CLE transcript now to ensure you are on track to be in CLE compliance on June 30, 2026.  

CLICK HERE for Rule 6 - Mandatory Continuing Legal Education

EVENTS

January 29, 2026

Succession Planning and Exiting the Practice -

Mastering the Art of Transitioning

Host: WV State Bar Succession Planning Committee

Location: Live in-person at the State Bar Center, Large Lower Level Conference Room, Charleston and via live webinar.

Cost: Free

CLE: 3 credits including 3 credits in ethics

This is a practical and comprehensive look at the many and various factors and risks that must be considered during a succession planning process. This program will examine the realities lawyers face by exploring the consequences of not having a plan, why succession planning should never be viewed as optional, the benefits of putting a plan in place, and what a comprehensive plan looks like. Along the way the presenters will explore the successor appointment and preparation process, the steps one must take to close a practice and wind up the business, the associated insurance issues, and how to successfully transition into retirement.

CLICK HERE to register for live In-Person

CLICK HERE to register for live Webinar

Facility Details:  Due to limited capacity for live attendance at the State Bar Center, 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.

SAVE THE DATE

April 19-20, 2026

WV STATE BAR ANNUAL MEETING

Host: WV State Bar

Location: The Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center

CLE: Pending

Registration opens January 6, 2026

SAVE THE DATES

July 25 – August 8, 2026

August 10 - 15, 2026

November 7 - 19, 2026

CLE Abroad Programs

Host: University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law in partnership with the West Virginia Bar Association

CLE: Pending

Platform: Live

Questions contact Daniel J. McCarroll at mccarrolld@umkc.edu

CLICK HERE for more information

The West Virginia State Bar

www.wvbar.org