May 6, 2025

UPDATE YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION

The State Bar will be mailing orange postcard reminders regarding annual membership reporting and fees in June for the July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026 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

2025 ANNUAL MEETING

2025 - AWARD WINNERS

The West Virginia State Bar congratulates the following award winners who were recognized at the State Bar's Annual Banquet on April 3, 2025.



Young Lawyer of the Year – Joseph “Jay” Ford

Kaufman Award for ProBono Services - Jeff C. Woods

Mentor of the Year – Matt Jividen

Solo/Small Firm Lawyer of the Year - Bradley Wright

Government Lawyer/Public Defender of the Year – Eleanor Hurney

NEW STATE BAR OFFICERS AND MEMBERS

The West Virginia State Bar is pleased to announce new officers and members of the West Virginia State Bar Board of Governors for 2025-2026.

New officers are David D. Amsbary - President; Robby J. Aliff - President-Elect; and Kimberley D. Crockett- Vice President.

Newly elected members of the State Bar’s Board of Governors are Morgan D. Spolarich - Beckley; David A. Pfeifer - Princeton; Sarah F. Smith - Fayetteville; Michael W. Parker - Elkins; and Nicole A. Cofer - Charleston

Newly elected officers of the West Virginia State Bar’s Young Lawyer Section Board are Nicholas E. Gordon - - Chairperson; John M. Isner - Vice-Chairperson; and R. Mitchell Moore - Secretary

Newly elected members of the State Bar’s Young Lawyer Section Board are Madison A. Birchfield - Beckley; Patrick A. Erickson, Jr. - Princeton; Mackenzie A. Holdren - Summersville; S. L. Les Mallow, Jr. – Elkins; and Isaiah C. Robinson - Charleston. 

CLE

CLE Rule Spotlight

Rule 6.09(e)

IN-HOUSE CLE COURSES



In addition to meeting the rules applicable to any other CLE provider, in-house CLE courses offered by a law firm must also meet these additional requirements:

• The courses must be open to observation by the Justices of the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia, the officers or staff of the State Bar, the members of the Board, and members or staff of the CLE Commission;
• The courses must be scheduled and arranged at a time and location so as to be free of interruptions from telephone calls and other office matters;
• No more than half of the mandatory continuing legal education requirements may be satisfied by in-house teaching or attendance at in-house activities; and
• An in-house activity on legal ethics may not be taught by a member of the firm or entity offering such activity.

United State District Court

Southern District of West Virginia

Temporary Employment Opportunity

Position: Law Clerk to U.S. Magistrate Judge Dwane L. Tinsley

Appointment Type: Full-time, Temporary (Position expected to last for approximately 14 weeks, starting late July and ending early November)

Location: Charleston, WV

Open until filled. Applications received by May 8, 2025 will receive first consideration.

Click Here for more information

RENEWED AND AMENDED LEGISLATIVE RULE FOR THE

PAYMENT OF FEES AND REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES

OF COURT APPOINTED COUNSEL

Public Defender Services’ legislative rule, codified at 89 CSR 1, establishes the guidelines for the submission of vouchers to the agency for payment of fees and reimbursement of expenses of attorneys appointed by the courts to represent indigent defendants in criminal proceedings or to represent respondents and children in child abuse and neglect proceedings. The legislative rule was renewed, with amendments, and made effective on April 9, 2025. 

CLICK HERE to Review the Renewed and Amended

CLICK HERE for a Summary of the Revisions to the Rule

The OVS Help Desk at (304) 741-8650 is available to answer any questions.

PROVISIONAL ADOPTION AND REQUEST FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO RULES 3 AND 15 OF THE RULES OF PROCEDURE FOR CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT PROCEEDINGS

On April 24, 2025, the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia entered an Order that amendments to Rules 3 and 15 of the Rules of Procedure for Child Abuse and Neglect Proceedings should be, and are, provisionally approved effective May 9, 2025. The Court further orders the amendments to the published for a period of public comment for 30 days. Comments may be filed in writing with the office of the clerk on or before May 26, 2025.



CLICK HERE to Review the Order

EVENTS

May 16-18, 2025

WVJLAP Annual Conference & Retreat

Host: WV Judicial & Lawyer Assistance Program

CLE: 6.2 credits including 5.2 in ethics

Location: Stonewall Resort - Roanoke, WV

CLICK HERE for Agenda

CLICK HERE to REGISTER

Questions contact WVJLAP at 304-553-7232

June 4 - 6, 2025

2025 PUBLIC DEFENDER SERVICES

INDIGENT DEFENSE ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Host: Public Defender Services

CLE: 12 credits including 2 in ethics

Location: Morgantown Marriott at Waterfront Place, Morgantown, WV

Time: See Registration link

Cost: See Registration link

CLICK HERE to Register

Contact Pamela Clark at Pam.R.Clark@wv.gov for questions

CLICK HERE for Hotel Reservations

Deadline for room reservations is May 7, 2025

June 5-6, 2025

67th Annual WVAJ Convention & Seminar

Host: West Virginia Association for Justice

Location: Embassy Suites, Charleston

CLE: 15.4 credits, including 2.4 credits in ethics and law office management  

CLICK HERE for more information and to REGISTER

Email Beth White if you have questions

June 11, 2025

Pre-Birth Orders, Surrogacy, Adoptions, and More 

Host: WV State Bar LGBTQ+ Committee

Location: The West Virginia State Bar Center and Webinar

Time: 9:00 a.m. to noon

Credits: 3 credits

Cost: Free

 Click Here for Agenda

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, 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.

SAVE THE DATE

June 18, 2025

ADVANCED MEDIATION

Host: WV State Bar Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee

Location: Flatwoods Day Inn & Conference Center, Sutton, WV

Time: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Credits: Pending

Cost: $150.00

Registration coming soon

July 26 – August 9, 2025

CLE Abroad Program

Oxford, England

Host: University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law in partnership with the West Virginia Bar Association

CLE: 30 credits including 7.5 in ethics

Date: July 26 – August 9, 2025

Platform: Live

Event Highlights: Join us for the Oxford Summer School for a unique two-week educational expedition to the native home of common law. This international adventure includes optional excursions to Scotland, Ireland, Belgium, Bath, and Windsor.

*$500 refundable deposit due by April 21, 2025

CLICK HERE for more information

CLICK HERE to REGISTER

Direct questions to Amanda Rose Falk at director@wvbarassociation.org