October 11, 2022



2022 WV State Bar Regional Meetings
Approved for 3 CLE credits (Ethics/Law Office Management)

Please find below the dates and locations for the 2022 Regional Meetings. All meetings will begin at 10:00 a.m. Registration is now open for the in-person Regional Meetings in Bridgeport, Parkersburg, and Wheeling.

Registration will open for all other meetings approximately one month prior to each meeting.

Registration Fee: $100.00

  • October 14 - Bridgeport Country Club - Bridgeport, WV
  • November 3 - The Blennerhassett - Parkersburg, WV
  • November 4 - Wheeling Country Club - Wheeling, WV






Registration will open for all other meetings approximately one month prior to each meeting.
News
TOYS FOR TOTS 2022
The West Virginia State Bar's Veteran and Military Affairs Committee is participating in the Marine Corp Reserve's Toys for Tots program again this year. Last year the Grinch tried to steal the toys. But our brave marines and city police officers were able to foil the Grinch's attempt and save the day. Boxes will be dropped off November 16 between 1 & 4. Box pick up will be December 9 between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Other pick up times can be arrganed by contacting Anita Casey. Sorting and distribution will be done in December.
If you are interested, this year, in volunteering to help by hosting a drop box, collecting, and/or sorting toys, please contact Anita Casey at caseya@wvbar.org.
Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation - Board of Trustees
The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation has an opening on its Board of Trustees. The State Bar’s Executive Director must recommend up to three potential candidates. If you are a resident of Boone, Clay, Fayette, Kanawha, Lincoln, or Putnam County, and are interested in serving on The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation Board, submit your resume for consideration. Resumes, with letters of recommendation, must be received by midnight, Friday, October 14, 2022 by email addressed to pickensmj@wvbar.org or by mail addressed to the WV State Bar, Attention: Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation Nominations, 2000 Deitrick Boulevard, Charleston, WV 25311. The State Bar’s Board of Governors will select up to three candidates, for consideration by the Foundation’s Nominating Committee, at the Bar’s Board of Governors meeting on October 21-22, 2022.
 
Members of the Board of Trustees must be a citizen of the United States who reside in the areas served by the Foundation (Boone, Clay, Fayette, Kanawha, Lincoln and Putnam Counties) and will be selected for their knowledge of the charitable and educations needs of the communities served by the Foundation. No person holding or seeking public office may serve.  
Request for Public Comment on Proposed Amendments to
the West Virginia Rules of Civil Procedure.
On June 15 , 2022, the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia approved a 90-day period of public comment on proposed amendments to the West Virginia Rules of Civil Procedure. Your comments are needed. All comments must be filed in writing with the Clerk of the Court no later than October 13, 2022. An extension of 30 days was granted from the original deadline of September 13, 2022. The Supreme Court takes no position at this time on the proposed amendments and encourages comments.  


CLE
CLE Rule Spotlight
Earning CLE Credit
 
There are FOUR ways attorneys can earn CLE credit: (1) complete CLE courses that meet the approval standards; (2) teach at an accredited CLE course; (3) author and publish legal articles that meet the approval standards; or (4) provide pro bono legal services through one or more of the approved pro bono organizations.  Requirements for each of these types of credit can be reviewed in the Administrative Rules, primarily 6.05(d),(e) and (f); 6.08(d), 6.09(a),(c),(d), (k) and (l). The various types of CLE credit will be individually highlighted in future Bar Blasts.  
Events
October 11, 2022
Protecting the Public:
Federal Civil Rights Enforcement in West Virginia – FREE CLE
(Live In-person Only)
 
SPONSOR: United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of West Virginia
LOCATION: Mon County Center at Mylan Park, 270 Mylan Park Lane, Morgantown, WV
CLE: 4.5 credits
COST: Free
TIME: 9:00 a.m. to 1:10 p.m.
 
This CLE is free and open to the public. The “Protecting the Public: Federal Civil Rights Enforcement in West Virginia” event is intended to educate members of the legal community about federal civil rights enforcement. Attendees will be provided information about how to identify, report, and prevent hate crimes. Further, the statutory mechanics of the Fair Housing Act (FHA) will be explained and attendees will learn how to file complaints and obtain damages for persons suffering discrimination in housing.  An overview of the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) will also be provided and will include tips for filing an ADA complaint. Lastly, civil rights litigation in West Virginia will be discussed. 
October 17, 2022 - 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Bridge the Gap Program
Host: West Virginia State Bar Young Lawyer Section
About: Newly admitted members are required to complete a mandatory Bridge-the–Gap Program sponsored by the State Bar within 24 months after admission to the West Virginia State Bar. Any new lawyer admitted to practice between July 1, 2018 and December 31, 2020 has thirty-six months after their date of admission to complete the program due to COVID extension accommodations ordered by the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals. All new lawyers admitted on or after January 1, 2021, have twenty-four months after their date of admission to complete the program per Administrative Rule 6.03(a). 

Location: Bridgeport Conference Center – Bridgeport, West Virginia
Cost: Free
CLE: 7.6 credits (including 3 in ethics)


Registration Closes October 13, 2022 at 4:00 p.m.

Only newly admitted attorneys who have not previously completed the Bridge the Gap requirement may attend the live course to satisfy the mandatory Bridge the Gap requirements.
October 21, 2022 - Noon
 Guide to Medical Cannabis in West Virginia
 
Host: Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia, Court Improvement Program
CLE: 1 credit
Speakers: Jason Frame, Director Office of Medial Cannabis
Location: VitWebinar
Registration: Free
 
Questions please email Kandi Greter, kandi.greter@courtswv.gov
The 64th Annual Tri-State Tax Institute Seminar
October 25, 2022

Host: State Tax Institute, West Liberty University & The WV State Bar State and Federal Taxation Committee
Location: West Liberty University, Highlands Center, West Liberty, WV (Past Cabela’s and adjacent to the Marquee Cinemas)
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Registration Fee: Varies depending on date registered
CLE: 6 Credits (including 1.2 Ethics) WV; 6.25 Credits (including 1.0 Prof. Conduct OH; 6.0 Credits (including 1.00E) PA.
Presentations will focus on important tax law changes especially the Secure Act of 2019, as well as other topics. Featured speaker is Robert S. Keebler, CPA/PFS, MST, AEP (Distinguished). He is a partner with Keebler & Associates, LLP and a 2007 recipient of the prestigious Accredited Estate Planners (Distinguished) award from the National Association of Estate Planners & Councils.
Early bird discount available for registering prior to September 30th. Proceeds go towards funding scholarships for West Liberty students majoring in accounting.
Minority Committee Fellowship Reception
October 26, 2022

Host: WV State Bar Minority Lawyers Committee
Location: Erickson Alumni Center, Morgantown, WV
Time: 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Registration: Free

This is the first of two social gatherings hosted by the Minority Committee for under-represented attorneys practicing law across the state regardless of practice area. The first reception is in Morgantown and the second will be hosted in Charleston in the Spring. These receptions are opportunities for fellowship and collegiality in a supportive space where we can share experiences and support while enjoying refreshments. The Minority Lawyers Committee will present its program-vision for the 2022-23 fiscal year.

Registration Closes October 24, 2022 at 4:00 p.m.
SAVE THE DATE
ANNUAL VETERANS' DAY OF SERVICE AND CLE
November 9, 2022

Host: The West Virginia State Bar's Veterans & Military Affairs Committee
Locations: Zoom or in-person at the following VA Medical Centers in Beckley, Clarksburg, & Martinsburg. The VA Regional Office in Huntington. Also, via video conference.
CLE: Credits pending
Time: 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. Free Legal Clinic for Veterans will take place from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m.*
Registration: Opens October 10th

*This is the first time since 2019 that participants are permitted to attend in-person. Please consider attending in-person so we can help as many veterans as possible.

Please note: Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, meeting plans & arrangements at the VA remain in flux. 
The following locations have in-person attendance limits. Beckley 6; Clarksburg 5; Huntington 10; Martinsburg 15. Please consider registering for the video conference option if the in-person options are at capacity at time of your registration. 




Third Annual West Virginia Estate Planning Institute
November 11-12, 2022

Host: West Virginia State Bar Probate Law Committee, The West Virginia Bar Association, and WVU College of Law
Location: WVU College of Law, Morgantown, WV and a simultaneous Zoom option
CLE: WV: 9.0 credits, including 1.2 ethics. Applied for OH, PA, & KY (7.5 hours, including 1.0 ethics).
Speakers: Howard M. Zaritsky, J.D., LL.M.; John F. Allevato, Spilman Thomas & Battle, PLLC; Marcia Broughton, Jackson Kelly PLLC; David H. Lunsford, City National Bank; Christopher J. Winton, Ray, Winton & Kelley, PLLC; and Joshua Rogers, Dinsmore & Shohl LLP.

Learn about hot topics in estate planning from nationally-recognized estate and gift tax expert Howard Zaritsky, nonjudicial settlement agreements, planning around the sunset of the estate tax exemption, trustee and will drafting errors, advanced directives, and much more! Also, back by popular demand, is a panel discussion on estate planning and probate issues, focusing on ethics and law practice management. Bring questions to ask the experts!


Sponsorship opportunities are available by contacting Tessa White at director@wvbarassociation.org.
The Unwritten Rights and Dobbs:
Where Does the Court (and Country) go next?
November 14, 2022
In-person and Webinar Attendance

Host: WV State Bar Minority Lawyers Committee and WV State Bar LGBTQ+ Committee
Location: The West Virginia State Bar Center
Time: 12:15 p.m. to 1:15 p.m.
Credits: 1.2 credits
Panel:
  • Kaitlyn B. Samuelson, Co-Chair of the LGBTQ+ Bar Committee, Moderator
  • Deborah L. McHenry, LGBTQ+ Bar Member, addressing Griswold v. Connecticut
  • Gerald J. Langan, LGBTQ+ Bar Member, addressing Lawrence v. Texas
  • Nathan T. Bennett, LGBTQ+ Bar Member, addressing Obergefell v. Hodges

Lunch will be provided for those who register in advance to attend the in-person program.


 Registration for both Closes November 11 at 4:00 p.m.

Facility Details:  Due to limited capacity for live attendance at the State Bar Center, live registration is limited to the first 35 fully vaccinated 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.
The West Virginia State Bar
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