December 9, 2025

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 that wonderful Christmas morning, with toys from Santa under the tree.

NEWS

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 West Virginia State Bar is partnering with the National Constitution Center’s Scholar Exchange program to educate middle school and high school students in West Virginia in the upcoming 2025-2026 academic year about the U.S. Constitution.

The Scholar Exchange Program provides lawyers, judges, and constitutional experts to join teachers in their classrooms for 45-minute virtual classes hosted by the National Constitution Center to discuss various constitutional topics with teachers and students from across the country.

With help from the National Constitution Center, the West Virginia State Bar is looking to partner with local educators in West Virginia to have lawyers from the Mountain State speak to their classes about the Constitution.

Click Here for more information on how to get involved

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

The current CLE reporting period runs from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2026. If you have already completed CLE for this reporting period you should report it NOW. Reporting CLE as you complete it will help you track whether or not you are in compliance for the reporting period, how many remaining credits you need to complete, and whether or not you have maxed out your 6 available carryover credits. Submitting an application for approval of a course is also easier if you do it as soon as you complete a course because you will more readily have the necessary application materials (detailed timed agenda; speaker bios and written course materials) on hand.  

CLICK HERE for Rule 6 - Mandatory Continuing Legal Education

EVENTS

Join the West Virginia State Bar’s Abuse and Neglect Committee for Open Office Hours. Join Bob Noone, Lisa Hawrot, and Kristen Antolini as they provide answers to your abuse and neglect questions live via Zoom at 12 p.m. on Wednesday, December 17th. 

To submit questions prior to Office Hours please email Kristen Antolini at kristenantolini@gmail.com

Click Here for Zoom and Teleconference Instructions

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