Today, Tuesday, May 12, 2026, is Primary Election Day in West Virginia and the West Virginia State Bar office is closed. The Bar will resume regular operating hours tomorrow at 9:00 a.m. | | |
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
| | REQUEST FOR PUBLIC COMMENT | | |
REQUEST FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON AMENDMENTS TO
RULE 15 OF THE WEST VIRGINIA RULES OF PROCEDURE FOR
CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT PROCEEEDINGS
By Order entered on April 13, 2026 the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia is seeking public comments on the proposed amendments to Rule 15 of the WV Rules of Procedure for Child Abuse and Neglect Proceedings. All comments must be filed in writing with the Office of the Clerk on or before May 13, 2026.
CLICK HERE to Review the Order
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"Tuesday Legal Connect"
Earn FREE CLE Credit Providing Legal Information By Phone!
The State Bar needs volunteer attorneys each Tuesday evening in May 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 May, please email David Frercks as soon as possible at dfrercks@lawv.net to reserve your spot.
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NOTICE
2 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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May 15, 2026
WV Court Improvement Program -
Live Lunch and Learn Webinar
Secondary Stress in Legal Professionals
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
Overview: An overview of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and the concept of Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS) in the legal profession. It discusses the impact of trauma on individuals, the signs and symptoms of STS among legal professionals, and the importance of self-care and organizational interventions to mitigate the effects of secondary trauma.
CLICK HERE to REGISTER
Contact Kandi Greater at kandi.greter@courtswv.gov or 304-340-2755
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May 29, 2026
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE from a REAL PROPERTY PERSPECTIVE
Host: WV State Bar Real Estate Committee
CLE: 1.2 credits
Location: Live Webinar
Time: 12 - 1 p.m.
Cost: Free
CLICK HERE to Register
Webinar Details: 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, whether in person or virtual, will receive an email confirming registration. If you do not receive confirmation of registration, you will not be able to participate in the seminar on the day of presentation.
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June 4, 2026
HOT TOPICS FOR GOVERNMENT LAWYERS
Host: WV State Bar Government Lawyers Committee
CLE: 7.7 credits including 4 credits in ethics
Location: In-person at the State Bar Center, Large Lower-Level Conference Room, Charleston and via video conference.
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Click Here to Register for IN-PERSON Session
CLICK HERE to Register for live WEBINAR Session
Facility Details: Due to limited capacity for live attendance at the State Bar Center, registration is limited to the first 30 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 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.
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June 17, 2026
Taking Stock Post-Bostock:
Workplace Claims of Sexual Orientation Discrimination
Host: WV State Bar LGBTQ+ Committee
Location: The West Virginia State Bar Center and Live Webinar
Time: 9:00 a.m. to noon
Credits: 3 credits including 1 in ethics
Cost: Free
Click Here to Register for Live In-Person Session
Click Here to Register for Live Webinar Session
Facility Details: Due to limited capacity for live attendance at the State Bar Center, live 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.
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The West Virginia State Bar
www.wvbar.org
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