July 6, 2021
News
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP REPORTING & FEE NOTICE
It is time to complete reporting and pay fees for the 2021-2022 fiscal year. The deadline for reporting and paying fees is on or before midnight, September 1, 2021. To complete the reporting process go to https://wvbar.org/2021-22/ and click on the Membership Reporting and fees 2021-2022 tab.
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KELLER NOTICE TO STATE BAR MEMBERS
The time schedule to follow on Keller issues is available on the State Bar’s website or  Click here for Keller Notice . If any member has questions concerning this matter, please contact Anita Casey at The West Virginia State Bar at 304-553-7228 or by email at [email protected].  
Challenges should be directed to Executive Director Anita Casey and may be submitted by mail: 2000 Deitrick Blvd., Charleston, WV 25311 or email: [email protected]
Social Security Committee Vacancy
The Social Security Committee of the West Virginia State Bar is open to lawyers who represent claimants applying for disability benefits before the Social Security Administration. The Committee meets on a regular basis to discuss changes in the rules and regulations governing the disability process. If you are interested in serving on the committee, please contact David Pence at [email protected] by July 14, 2021
NOTICE
On July 19, 2021, the United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia is scheduled to “go live” with the Next Generation of CM/ ECF (“NextGen”), the latest iteration of the national case management and electronic case filing system. All CM/ECF filing attorneys must take steps to continue to file electronically in the United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia on or after July 19, 2021Filers will use one singular username/password (aka Central Sign-On) to access PACER to electronically file documents in our CM/ECF system. Attorneys are encouraged to visit the Court’s website at https://www.wvnd.uscourts.gov/nextgen to determine whether they are prepared for NextGen.
24th Family Court Circuit Vacancy
The Judicial Vacancy Advisory Commission is currently receiving applications to fill the judicial vacancy on the 24th Family Court Circuit serving Berkeley and Jefferson Counties. Candidates must submit their completed applications and letters of recommendation or comment no later than 5:00 p.m. on July 7, 2021. Applications and instructions are available on the Governor’s website. For more information about the application process, please call Manda Bickoff at 304-558-2000. Interviews will be held on July 23rd in Charleston, WV.  
27th Judicial Circuit Vacancy
The Judicial Vacancy Advisory Commission is currently receiving applications to fill the judicial vacancy on the 27th Judicial Court Circuit serving Wyoming County. Candidates must submit their completed applications and letters of recommendation or comment no later than 5:00 p.m. on July 7, 2021. Applications and instructions are available on the Governor’s website. For more information about the application process, please call Manda Bickoff at 304-558-2000. Interviews will be held on July 23rd in Charleston, WV.
Office of Lawyer Disciplinary Counsel VACANCY
ATTORNEY POSITION AVAILABLE - The Office of Lawyer Disciplinary Counsel is hiring a full-time staff attorney to review, evaluate and prosecute legal ethics complaints; present oral argument to appellate court; advise attorneys regarding compliance with the Rules of Professional Conduct; teach Continuing Legal Education Seminars; and serve as counsel to the Lawyer Disciplinary Board. Ideal candidates must possess strong writing skills and general practice experience. Some travel is required. State benefits. Applicants must be admitted and in good standing with the West Virginia State Bar. Salary commensurate with experience. Please provide resume, writing sample, and references to: Office of Lawyer Disciplinary Counsel, 4700 MacCorkle Avenue, S.E., Charleston, West Virginia 25304. Written inquiries only. All inquiries confidential. Please apply by July 23, 2021.

WV CourtPLUS/E-File system

The Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia is pleased to announce the addition of Brooke County to the CourtPLUS/E-File system, with an e-filing start date of Monday, July 12, 2021. Please note that as of Monday, July 12, 2021, all filings into Brooke County Circuit and Family Court must be made via WV E-File.

A Status Map of current WV E-File counties can be found at http://www.courtswv.gov/e-file/status.html

More information about WV E-File can be found at
Events
Court Improvement Program
Division of Children and Juvenile Services

July Lunch and Learn: The Representation of Adult Respondents
Friday, July 9, 2021 - Noon

The Court Improvement Program of the Division of Children and Juvenile Services invites you to its July Lunch and Learn program entitled “The Representation of Adult Respondents.” Presenters include Teresa Lyons, Esq. and Allison McClure, Esq. on best practices in representation of Adult Respondents in abuse and neglect matters. The session is eligible for one (1) hour of CLE credit. 

To register, please visit: http://www.courtswv.gov/public-resources/CAN/Training.html. Please contact Kandi Greter at [email protected] for more information. 

Hot Topics in Family Law and Evictions
Live and via Video Conference
July 21, 2021
Host:   Legal Outreach Committee of the West Virginia State Bar
Location: West Virginia Bar Conference Center - Charleston, WV and via video conference.
Date and Time: July 21, 2021 - 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Cost: Free
CLE: 3 credits
Speakers/Topics: Family Court Circuit Judges, Patricia A. Keller, 6th Circuit, and Deanna R. Rock, 23rd Circuit will lead a discussion on recent changes in family law and recent case law. Followed by Katheryn E. Marcum and Susana Campos Duarte's presentation on eviction and housing issues.

The Bar Conference Center is open for 35 participants who are fully vaccinated or agree to comply with CDC face mask requirements. All others may participate via the webinar.

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Attention: The seminar will be held in the new lower level conference room. If you are unable to use the stairs from the first floor to the lower level, please drive down the driveway on the far side of the Bar Center and enter the building at the bottom of the driveway. There are also handicap accessible restrooms available. If you need other assistance, please contact the State Bar at 304-553-7220 in advance of the meeting so arrangements can be made to accommodate you.  

134th Annual Meeting of The West Virginia Bar Association
July 22-24, 2021

Sponsor: The West Virginia Bar Association
Location: The Greenbrier Resort, White Sulphur Springs, WV
CLE: WV: 7.2 credits, including 1.2 ethics. Applied for OH & PA.
Speakers: Dean Amelia S. Rinehart, WVU College of Law; Chief Judge Roger L. Gregory, US Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit; Charles M. Johnson, Frost Brown Todd LLC; Anoop K. Bhasin, West Virginia Alcohol Beverage Control Administration; Forest J. “Jack” Bowman, WVU College of Law; Dean Jonathan Nash, Emory University School of Law; Chief Justice Evan H. Jenkins and Edythe Gaiser, WV Supreme Court of Appeals.
Please join us at The Greenbrier Resort for our 134th Annual Meeting, including a judicial appreciation reception, WV craft brew tasting, CLE credits, and our Main Installation Dinner. View more information and register at: http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07ei4rgfqpc5f3ac2a&llr=5rzfel6ab
Sponsorship opportunities are available. Contact Tessa White at [email protected].

Bridge the Gap Program
July 23, 2021
Rescheduled from our Spring event
 
Host: West Virginia State Bar Young Lawyer Section Bridge the Gap Program
About: Each new lawyer admitted to practice after July 1, 2018 through December 31, 2020 will have thirty-six months after their date of admission to complete the program. All new lawyers admitted on or after January 1, 2021 will have twenty-four months after their date of admission to complete the program.
Location: The Summit Bechtel Reserve – Glen Jean, West Virginia
Date and Time: July 23, 2021, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Cost: Free

Only attorneys admitted after July 1, 2018 OR attorneys admitted prior to July 1, 2018, who have not previously completed the Bridge the Gap requirements, may attend the live course and satisfy the mandatory Bridge the Gap requirements.

View information on the outdoor recreational activities available to those attending the program and their guest by clicking here.

Last day to register for the Bridge the Gap Program is July 14, 2021.



The West Virginia State Bar
ADVANCED MEDIATION TRAINING
Eliminating Obstacles in Mediation with Effective Communication
July 29, 2021
Location:  Bridgeport Conference Center, Bridgeport, WV
Host: State Bar ADR Committee
Cost: $100.00
A block of rooms has been reserved for the night of July 28 at the Bridgeport Wingate Inn at the discounted rate of $96.00 plus taxes & fees. To receive the discounted rate, call reservations at 304-808-1000, inform the hotel that you are attending the WV State Bar's event, and reference block code 072821WVS when making your reservation.  The cut-off date to reserve a room at the reduced rate is July 15. Rooms will be released and go to full rate after July 15.  
CLE Announcements
We are HALF-WAY through the 2020-2022 CLE reporting period –
are you on track to complete your CLE credits?
 
  • Active members need a minimum of 24 CLE credits, including at least 3 credits in one of the four ethics categories, reported no later than June 30, 2022.
  • All credits for the 2020-2022 reporting period can be completed via an online means if necessary.
  • 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 the list of courses and credits.
  • All 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 [email protected]
  • 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.

Temporary Waiver of Online and In-house
Continuing Legal Education Credit Limit

Due to ongoing concerns associated with the COVID-19 virus, the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia has granted a request from the Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Commission for a temporary waiver of current CLE rules and regulations which limit the CLE credits for online and in-house credits to 12 credits, or half of the mandatory continuing legal education requirements FOR THE 2020-2022 reporting period.

Extension of the Bridge the Gap Requirement
Attorneys admitted to the WV State Bar between July 1, 2018 and December 31, 2020 have been granted a one-year extension of time to complete the mandatory Bridge-the-Gap Program.
The extension was based on a determination by the Court that attorneys within that time frame were adversely affected by the cancellation of the Bridge-the-Gap program scheduled in April 2020 due to COVID.