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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
| | Proposed Amendments to State Bar Bylaws | | |
The West Virginia State Bar has received a handful of questions regarding the reasoning behind the proposed annual dues increase. To provide some additional context, the Bar has been operating with a deficit budget the past few years. The last dues increase was more than 20 years ago, in 2005, and the Board of Governors has recommended the proposed changes to restore the Bar's financial stability, continue current member benefits, and improve the services offered by the WV State Bar going forward. In addition to WV State Bar operations, fees paid by members of the WV State Bar also fund the West Virginia Office of Disciplinary Counsel (ODC) and the West Virginia Judicial & Lawyer Assistance Program (JLAP), which was established in 2013 without increasing dues. The Board of Governors feels that a fee increase is now unavoidable based on increased expenses, exhaustion of multiple cost-saving measures, and a commitment to continue current member benefits. For more commentary on this, you can review former Bar President David Amsbary's columns on Minding the Store and Moving Forward
Proposed Bylaws Amendments
Pursuant to West Virginia State Bar Bylaw 11.01, and subject to final approval by the Supreme Court of Appeals, the following proposed Bylaw Amendments will be on the agenda at the West Virginia State Bar Annual Meeting, on Monday, April 20, 2026 at 8:00 a.m., at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center, Room 205:
Click Here for Bylaw 2.07
Click Here for Bylaws 3.01 -3.04
Click Here for Bylaws 5.02 - 5.12
Click Here for Bylaw 6.05
Click Here for a Summary of Proposed Bylaw Changes
Direct inquiries to Kevin Baker at bakerk@wvbar.org or 304-553-7237
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Proposed Resolution
Pursuant to Article 12 of the Bylaws of the West Virginia State Bar, a proposed resolution titled "West Virginia State Bar Statement on Judicial Independence and Integrity and Primacy of Enforcement of the Rules of Professional Conduct by the State Bar's Lawyer Disciplinary Board" has been submitted by an active member for consideration at the Annual Meeting to be held on Monday, April 20, 2026 at 8:00 a.m. at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center, Room 205. The full resolution is available for review here.
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Supreme Court of Appeals RFP for West Virginia Circuit Clerk Procedural Manual Update and Revision
The Administrative Office of the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia has released a Request for Proposals ("RFP") to update and revise the West Virginia Circuit Clerk Procedural Manual. Bar Members are encouraged to review the RFP and submit a proposal to the Supreme Court, as detailed in the RFP by April 15, 2026.
CLICK HERE for More Information
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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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Annual PIA Auction
Online Auction Runs March 27 to April 1
Please do not forget to participate in the online portion of the annual WVU Law Public Interest Advocates Online Auction.
Bidding ends April 1. Continue to check the auction for new items every day! To participate go to https://www.32auctions.com/piaspring2026 or scan the below QRCode.
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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 15, 2025
Baker Cup Competition
The West Virginia University College of Law is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Baker Cup, its signature student moot court competition. The final round will be held at 2:30 p.m. at the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals in Charleston and will be open to the public. Please consider attending to support our students and take part in one of our favorite traditions.
For more information, contact Andrew Marvin at andrew.marvin@mail.wvu.edu
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April 16, 2025
WV Bar Foundation 28th Annual Fellows Dinner
Reception at 6:00 p.m.
Dinner & Program at 7:00 p.m.
Host: WV Bar Foundation
Location: Four Points Sheraton Hotel, Charleston, WV
Attire: Black Tie Optional
The West Virginia Bar Foundation Board of Directors invites you to join them in recognizing the WV Bar Foundation Fellows Class of 2025! The criteria for WV Bar Foundation Fellows are those judges and lawyers whose professional, public, and private careers have demonstrated outstanding dedication to the welfare of their communities and honorable service to the legal profession.
CLICK HERE for more Information and to REGISTER
Contact Tessa White for more information - stacy@wvbarfoundation.org
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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: 7 credits including 5 in ethics
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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May 1, 2026
Mountain State Bar Association Annual CLE
Host: Mountain State Bar Association
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Location: Hilton Garden Inn, Martinsburg, WV
CLE: 7 credits including 2 in ethics
Cost & Speakers: See agenda
Click Here for Agenda and Registration
Questions call 304-523-5732
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May 15-17, 2026
WVJLAP Annual Conference & Retreat
Host: WV Judicial & Lawyer Assistance Program
CLE: 6.2 credits including 6.2 in ethics
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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