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UPDATE YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION
The State Bar will be mailing orange postcard reminders regarding membership reporting and fees in June for the July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027 fiscal year. Please be sure to log into the membership portal and verify or update your contact information (Bylaw 2.02 (b)) by JUNE 1.
Information that you will need to verify or update include:
1. Name of Employer (If sole practitioner, enter the sole practitioner’s name)
2. Address of Principal Place of Business
3. Telephone and Fax Numbers
4. Email Address
CLICK HERE for Bylaw 2.02
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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 3.2 and Rule 4.4 of the Rules for the Admission to the Practice of Law
By Order entered on February 17, 2026 the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia is seeking public comments on the proposed amendments to Rule 3.2 and Rule 4.4 of the Rules for the Admission to the Practice of Law. All comments must be filed in writing with the Office of the Clerk on or before Thursday, March 19, 2026.
CLICK HERE to Review the Order
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Request for Public Comment on Proposed Amendments to
Rule 38A of the Rules of Appellate Procedure
By Order entered on February 17, 2026 the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia is seeking public comments on the proposed amendments to Rule 38A of the Rules of Appellate Procedure. All comments must be filed in writing with the Office of the Clerk on or before Thursday, March 19, 2026.
CLICK HERE to Review the Order
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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.
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PUBLIC NOTICE FOR REAPPOINTMENT OF
MAGISTRATE JUDGE JAMES P. MAZZONE
The current term of office of United States Magistrate Judge James P. Mazzone at Wheeling, West Virginia, is due to expire on September 3, 2026. The United States District Court is required by law to establish a panel of citizens to consider the reappointment of the magistrate judge to a new eight (8) year term. The duties of a magistrate judge in this Court include, but are not limited to, the following: 1) conduct of most preliminary proceedings in criminal cases; 2) trial and disposition of misdemeanor cases; 3) conduct of various pretrial matters and evidentiary proceedings upon delegation from the judges of the district court; and 4) trial and disposition of civil cases upon consent of the litigants.
Comments from members of the bar and the public are invited as to whether the incumbent magistrate judge should be recommended by the panel for reappointment by the Court. All comments should be directed to Stephanie Hainer Ojeda, Clerk of Court, by email: Stephanie_Ojeda@wvnd.uscourts.gov. Comments must be received by April 17, 2026.
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NOTICE OF 4 MONTH DEADLINE
The 2024-2026 CLE REPORTING PERIOD ENDS JUNE 30, 2026
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!
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The CLE reporting period ends June 30, 2026.
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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.
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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.
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CLE must be reported via the online member portal at www.mywvbar.org by July 31, 2026 to avoid penalties.
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Check your CLE transcript for accuracy. Correction requests must be submitted in writing to compliance@wvbar.org
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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.
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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
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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
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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
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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
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The West Virginia State Bar
www.wvbar.org
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*You are receiving this email because you have elected to receive the Bar-Blast from the WV State Bar. To change you email address or manage your email subscriptions, you must log into the Membership Portal at mywvbar.org. This mailing list is updated weekly.
**UNSUBSCRIBE WARNING**
Using the link below to unsubscribe from the bar blast will stop all important notices regarding membership payment and CLE deadlines, in addition to the weekly bar blast.
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