January 20, 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

REQUEST FOR PUBLIC COMMENT

Request for Public Comment on Proposed Amendments to

Rule 21 of the West Virginia Rules of Appellate Procedure

By Order entered on December 29, 2025, the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia is seeking public comments on the proposed amendments to Rule 21 of the WV Rules of Appellate Procedure. All comments must be filed in writing with the Office of the Clerk on or before Friday, January 30, 2026.

CLICK HERE to Review the ORDER

NEWS

Investiture Ceremony of Gerald M. Titus III 

You are cordially invited to attend the Investiture Ceremony of Gerald M. Titus III as Justice of the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia. 

The ceremony will be held on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at 3:00 p.m., at the Supreme Court of Appeals, 1900 Kanawha Blvd. E., Building One, East Wing, 3rd Floor, Charleston.  

Click Here for Invitation

INTEREST RATE ON JUDGMENTS AND DECREES FOR 2026



Pursuant to the provisions of West Virginia Code 56-6-31, and an Administrative Order of the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia, please be advised that the interest rate for judgments and decrees entered in 2026 shall be 6.25%. 

Click Here for the January 1, 2026 Administrative Order

CLE

The 2024-2026 CLE REPORTING PERIOD ENDS in 6 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

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 22, 2026

WV Court Improvement Program -

Live Lunch and Learn Webinar

WV FAMILY TREATMENT COURTS FY 2026-2027

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

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

CLE: 1 credit

Platform: Live WebEx Webinar

Cost: Free

Purpose of Training: To provide overview instruction to members of the FTC treatment teams and referral sources across the state regarding the processes and procedures in operating an FTC. The training provides information on the Admissions Process, FTC treatment team, FTC Hearings, Behavioral Modification, Case Planning, and Discharge.

Presenter(s): Katie White (State FTC Specialist), Stephanie Bond (Director of Probation Services), Kaylee Dickenson (State Drug Court Coordinator), Christine Fox (Counsel for Probation Services).

CLICK HERE to REGISTER and More Information

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

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.

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

February 5-6, 2026

West Virginia Association for Justice

2026 Mid-Winter Convention and Seminar

Host:  West Virginia Association for Justice

Location: Embassy Suites, Charleston

CLE:  14.9 credits including 2.4 in ethics and law office management

Questions: Contact Beth White at bethwhite@wvaj.org

CLICK HERE to REGISTER and for More Information

SAVE THE DATE

February 20, 2026

From Veterans to New Voices:

12 Mediation Lessons Behind the WV Young Lawyers Handbook

Host: WV State Bar Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee

Location: Live webinar.

Cost: Free

CLE: 1 credit

NOTE: Attendance via webinar is 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 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.  

SAVE THE DATE

April 19-20, 2026

WV STATE BAR ANNUAL MEETING

Host: WV State Bar

Location: The Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center

CLE: Pending

CLICK HERE for Early Registration

For more information on the upcoming annual conference, contact JLAP at 304-553-7232

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