October 5, 2021
News
Cybersecurity Awareness Month
Join the State Bar this October, with The National Cyber Security Alliance and CISA, in Cybersecurity Awareness Month as we raise the importance of cybersecurity awareness and ensure individuals and organizations have the resources to be safer online. “Do Your Part and #BeCyberSmart.” 
TOYS FOR TOTS
 
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. If you are interested in volunteering to help by hosting a drop box, collecting, and/or sorting toys, please contact Anita Casey at [email protected]. Collections will be done during the month of November. Sorting and distribution will be done the first of December.
NOTICE OF VACANCIES FOR APPOINTMENT TO
THE WEST VIRGINIA INTERMEDIATE COURT OF APPEALS
AND APPLICATION PROCESS

In accordance with WV Code §51-11-3(b), the West Virginia Intermediate Court of Appeals is established and must be operable on or before July 1, 2022.

This notice is issued pursuant to WV Code §51-11-6(b)(1)(A) to provide instructions on applying for appointment by the Governor to the Intermediate Court of Appeals.

The Judicial Vacancy Advisory Commission will receive applications immediately for the vacancies on the Intermediate Court of Appeals. The application deadline is October 11, 2021.  


25th Judicial Circuit Vacancy
The Judicial Vacancy Advisory Commission is currently receiving applications to fill the judicial vacancy on the 25th Judicial Court Circuit serving the Counties of Boone and Lincoln. Candidates must submit their completed applications and letters of recommendation or comment no later than 5:00 p.m. on October 18, 2021. Applications and instructions are available on the Governor’s website. For more information about the application process, please call Manda Bickoff at 304-558-2000. Interviews will be held in on October 26, 2021 in Charleston, WV.  
NDWV PUBLIC NOTICE FOR REAPPOINTMENT OF
MAGISTRATE JUDGE ROBERT W. TRUMBLE

The current term of office of United States Magistrate Judge Robert W. Trumble at Martinsburg, West Virginia, is due to expire on June 2, 2022. 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 and should be placed in an envelope marked “CONFIDENTIAL” and directed to Cheryl Dean Riley, Clerk of Court, U.S. District Court, 1125 Chapline Street, P.O. Box 471, Wheeling WV 26003. Comments must be received by November 15, 2021.   
UPCOMING BAR EVENTS – COVID ANNOUNCEMENT
The State Bar is monitoring, on a daily basis, National, State and local health and safety updates regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. The Bar wants to keep all members, staff, visitors, and others safe.  Participants at upcoming Bar events, including but not limited to the Board of Governors’ meeting and Regional meetings, may be asked to wear masks, social distance, and comply with any State or local health department mandates/protocols. As events draw near, the Bar will advise you, via the Bar Blast, of any mandates/protocols on scheduled gatherings.  
Events
Court Improvement Program
Lunch and Learn CLE
Domestic Violence in Abuse and Neglect Proceedings
October 8, 2021 (12:00 p.m. to 12:50 p.m.)
 
In honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, the Court Improvement Program of the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia will host a Lunch and Learn CLE focused on issues of domestic violence within abuse and neglect proceedings. This one (1) CLE credit program will be an informal panel discussion featuring the Honorable Cindy Scott of the 17th Judicial Circuit, Cydney Fields, MSW of the West Virginia Coalition Against Domestic Violence, and Gabrielle Mucciola, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney of Monongalia County.
Contact Kandi Greter at [email protected] with any questions or concerns. 
Annual Family Law CLE
October 18, 2021 ( 8:30 a.m to 5:00 p.m.)
Host:  Kanawha County Family Law Bench-Bar Committee
Location:   Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center, Charleston, WV
CLE: 8.5 credits including 1.5 credits in law office management
Contact Lyne Ranson with question at [email protected]
 Pro Bono Attorney Domestic Violence Protective Order Training
October 26, 2021- 1:00 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. (Kanawha/Putnam)
October 28, 2021 - 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. (Monongalia/Preston)
 
Cost: Free. Legal Aid of West Virginia asks that attendees join the LAWV Pro Bono Domestic Violence Project Team and take at least one pro bono DVPO hearing case within 12 months of the training. 
CLE: 10/26/21 session - 1.2 credits    |  CLE: 10/28/21 session - 1.5 credits
Course Description: During this training, you will learn how to help underserved victims of domestic violence obtain civil protection orders. You will learn about these kinds of cases from start to finish. You will also learn more about the underlying dynamics of domestic violence. This training will you give you the knowledge and resources needed to help a victim of domestic violence in a time-limited way. These cases are also a wonderful way for new attorneys to gain experience representing clients in court. The trainings are being conducted in conjunction with Domestic Violence Awareness Month and National Pro Bono Celebration Week.
Location: Virtual
Sign-up:
For the 10/26/21 session, please email David Frercks at: [email protected]
For the 10/28/21 session, please email Maria Borror at: [email protected]
Bridge the Gap Program
November 5, 2021 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
 
Host: West Virginia State Bar Young Lawyer Section Bridge the Gap Program
About: Any new lawyer admitted to practice between July 1, 2018 and December 31, 2020 will have thirty-six months after their date of admission to complete the program. All new lawyers admitted on or after January 1, 2021 will have twenty-four months after their date of admission to complete the program.
Location: Bridgeport Conference Center – Bridgeport, West Virginia
Cost: Free
CLE: 7.6 credits including 3 ethics credits (2 credits for attorney well-being and 1 credit for legal ethics)

Only attorneys admitted after July 1, 2018 OR attorneys admitted prior to July 1, 2018, who have not previously completed the Bridge the Gap requirements, may attend the live course and satisfy the mandatory Bridge the Gap requirements.
 
Last day to register for the Bridge the Gap Program is November 1, 2021.


 
The Wingate Hotel, attached to the Conference Center, has a block of rooms available for attendees of Bridge the Gap. For room availability and a special rate of $75.00 per night, plus tax, contact the hotel before October 22, 2021 at 304-808-1000 and let them know you are attending the WV State Bar's Bridge the Gap program.
Veterans & Military Affairs 2021 Annual
CLE and Day of Service Live Webinar
November 10, 2021 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
 
Host:  The West Virginia State Bar's Veterans & Military Affairs Committee.
CLE:   3 general credits
Location: Live Virtual Zoom Webinar
Speakers:  Victoria Gorby, Dustin Holbrook, Amanda Rayburn, and Nicholas W.
Topics:  Effective Representation of Total Disability Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) claims; Earlier Effective Date Buffet; Justice Outreach Program Overview and Services; and Veterans Treatment Court 101.
CLE Announcements
Temporary Waiver of Online and In-house
Continuing Legal Education Credit Limit

Due to ongoing concerns associated with the COVID-19 virus, the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia has granted a request from the Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Commission for a temporary waiver of current CLE rules and regulations which limit the CLE credits for online and in-house credits to 12 credits, or half of the mandatory continuing legal education requirements FOR THE 2020-2022 reporting period.

Extension of the Bridge the Gap Requirement
Attorneys admitted to the WV State Bar between July 1, 2018 and December 31, 2020 have been granted a one-year extension of time to complete the mandatory Bridge-the-Gap Program.
The extension was based on a determination by the Court that attorneys within that time frame were adversely affected by the cancellation of the Bridge-the-Gap program scheduled in April 2020 due to COVID.