February 24, 2026

Do you know a lawyer making a difference? Nominate them! Each year, the West Virginia State Bar and Young Lawyer Section honor four individuals (or eligible groups) for outstanding service to the profession and their community. Award recipients will be recognized at the 2026 Annual Meeting banquet on Sunday, April 19, at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center. 

CLICK HERE for more information about the criteria

for each award and the submission process.

March 16, 2026 is the Deadline to make your Nomination

NEWS

"Tuesday Legal Connect"

 Earn FREE CLE Credit Providing Legal Information By Phone!

The State Bar needs volunteer attorneys each Tuesday evening in March 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 March, please email Jenny Saladini as soon as possible at jsaladini@lawv.net to reserve your spot.

WV BAR FOUNDATION EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR POSITION

The West Virginia Bar Foundation is in need of a new Executive Director. Founded in 1988, the Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that offers grants for the better administration of justice in the state, funds various projects (including educational projects) and promotes the rule of law. The Executive Director fulfills the Foundation’s management duties and assists the Foundation’s Board of Directors in carrying out its policies and procedures. The Executive Director, who is an independent contractor, would be expected to work, on average, about forty (40) hours per month. If interested, please send your resume to P. O. Box 11010, Charleston, WV 25339. Compensation will be set based upon qualifications. Application deadline is March 15, 2026.    

CLE

The 2024-2026 CLE REPORTING PERIOD ENDS in 5 Months

Are you on track to complete your CLE credits?



If you have completed CLE for this reporting period the time to report it is NOW – not at the end of the reporting period! 

• 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. Click here for a list of courses and credits.
• CLE must be reported via the online member portal at www.mywvbar.org by July 31, 2026 to avoid penalties.
• 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.
• The penalty for reporting CLE credits after July 31, 2026 is $200. There is an additional $200 reinstatement fee if you are suspended for CLE non-compliance. The suspension process will begin promptly after all required notices are sent to non-compliant attorneys.

CLE Rule Spotlight

Rule 6.04(a) - CLE requirements for newly admitted attorneys

The CLE requirements are a little different for new attorneys. Anyone not previously admitted to practice in West Virginia who was admitted to practice between July 1, 2024 and June 30, 2025, is required to complete 12 hours of approved CLE activities, including at least 3 hours in legal ethics, office management, attorney well-being, or elimination of bias in the legal profession before June 30, 2026. Any lawyer not previously admitted who is admitted between July 1, 2025 and June 30, 2026, is exempt from the current CLE reporting period. In addition, if you are a newly admitted attorney, please remember that you must complete the Bridge-the-Gap Program within 24 months after your admission, pursuant to Rule 6.03. 

CLICK HERE for Rule 6 - Mandatory Continuing Legal Education

EVENTS

February 27, 2026

What I Wish I Would Have Known About the

Practice of Abuse and Neglect Part 1 of 2

Host: WV State Bar Abuse & Neglect Committee

Time: 12 - 1 p.m.

Platform: Live webinar

Cost: Free

CLE: 1.2

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER for live webinar

For more information, please contact Kristen Antolini at kristenantolini@gmail.com 

or 304-288-7904. 

The second of three webinars in the series hosted by the Abuse & Neglect Committee in 2026

April 19-20, 2026

WV STATE BAR ANNUAL MEETING

Host: WV State Bar

Location: The Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center

CLE: Pending

CLICK HERE to REGISTER for Annual Meeting Banquet only

CLICK HERE to REGISTER for LIVE In-Person Annual Meeting CLE Seminar Attendance

CLICK HERE to REGISTER for LIVE Virtual CLE Attendance

CLICK HERE to REGISTER for LIVE Federal or State Public Defender/Law Clerk/Legal Aid Attendance

Annual Meeting Rooming Information:

A block of rooms have been reserved at the Charleston Marriott Town Center for those looking for accommodation in downtown Charleston. The Marriott Town Center is conveniently located near the Coliseum and Convention Center, standard rooms are $179.00 per night, and $479 per night for suites (not including taxes and applicable fees). Parking is included in the room rate.

CLICK HERE to Make a Reservation at the Marriott

For those that wish to make reservations over the phone you may do so by calling 1(888) 236-2427. To be included in the discounted rate you must request to be in the West Virginia State Bar Room Block April 2026, and use group code SBR.

The last day to register for a room is March 16, 2026. 

April 20, 2026

Bridge the Gap

Host: WV State Bar

Location: The Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center, 200 Civic Center Dr., Charleston

CLE: Pending

Cost: Free

About: 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. Attendance to Bridge the Gap is free to newly admitted members of the State Bar and lunch is provided.

Bridge the Gap is only offered through in-person attendance. Virtual attendance is not available. 

CLICK HERE to REGISTER for Bridge the Gap

SAVE THE DATE

May 1, 2026

Mountain State Bar Association Annual CLE

Host: Mountain State Bar Association

Location: Martinsburg, WV

CLE: Pending

More Information Coming Soon

May 15-17, 2026

WVJLAP Annual Conference & Retreat

Host: WV Judicial & Lawyer Assistance Program

CLE: Pending

Location: Stonewall Resort - Roanoke, WV

Click Here for more information and to REGISTER

Question contact JLAP at 304-553-7232 or darco@wvjlap.org

Need Help Now? 

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, call or text 988 or chat online at 988lifeline.org the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

The West Virginia State Bar

www.wvbar.org