REQUEST FOR PUBLIC COMMENT | | |
Request for Public Comment on Proposed Amendments to
Rule 37a of the Rules of Practice and Procedure for Family Court
By Order entered on September 30, 2025, the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia is seeking public comments on the provisionally adopted and proposed amendments to Rule 37a of the Rules of Practice and Procedure for Family Court. All comments must be filed in writing with the Office of the Clerk on or before Thursday, October 30, 2025.
CLICK HERE to review the ORDER
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Request for Public Comment on Proposed Amendments to Rules 10.11 and 10.12 of the WV State Bar Administrative Rules
By Order entered on October 6, 2025, the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia is seeking public comments on the proposed amendments to Rules 10.11 and 10.12 of the Rules of WV State Bar Administrative Rules. All comments must be filed in writing with the Office of the Clerk on or before Wednesday, November 5, 2025.
CLICK HERE to review the ORDER
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THE SUPREME COURT OF APPEALS OF WEST VIRGINIA has Approved and Adopted the following:
September 30, 2025 - Adopted Amendments to Rule 1 of the Rules of Appellate Procedure
CLICK HERE to review the Order approving Appellate Rule amendments
October 2, 2025 - Adopted Amendments to Bylaws 1.01, 2.02, 3.02, 3.03, 5.08 and 13.02 of the West Virginia State Bar Bylaws
CLICK HERE to review the Order approving Bylaws amendments
October 3, 2025 - Approval of Amendment to Rules 3.02, 4.04, 10.02, 10.09, and 13.10 of the West Virginia State Bar Administrative Rules
CLICK HERE to review the Order approving Administrative Rule amendment
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6th Judicial Circuit Court Vacancy
The Judicial Vacancy Advisory Commission is currently receiving applications to fill the judicial circuit court vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Paul T. Farrell in the 6th Judicial Circuit serving Cabell County. Candidates must submit their completed applications and letters of recommendation or comment no later than 5:00 p.m. on Monday, October 20, 2025. For more information about the application process, please call the Office of General Counsel at 304-558-2000. Interviews will be held in Charleston on Friday, October 31, 2025.
CLICK HERE for Instructions and Application
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WV SUPREME COURT DEPUTY ADMINISTRATIVE
COUNSEL POSITION
The Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia is currently receiving applications to fill the Deputy Administrative Counsel position in the Court’s Administrative Office. This position is an in-house counsel role that provides legal support and guidance to the Administrative Office on a variety of issues, including personnel, contracts, litigation, public records requests, and policy compliance. Questions - Contact Suzanne Summers at (304) 558-0145 or Suzanne.Summers@courtswv.gov
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled, and those submitted by October 14, 2025, will receive first consideration.
CLICK HERE for more Information and Application Process
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TOYS FOR TOTS
2025
The West Virginia State Bar's Veteran and Military Affairs Committee has adopted Toys for Tots as its 2025 Service Project. If you want to make a child's Christmas happier, please consider participating in the Service Project. Collection boxes will be dropped off in the Charleston area before October 15, 2025. The boxes will be picked up on December 1 and December 2. If you are interested in participating in the service project by hosting a box, please contact Mary Jane Pickens at pickensmj@wvbar.org or Kenadee Murphy at murphyk@wvbar.org before October 6, 2025. If you wish to make a monetary contribution, make your check payable to Toys for Tots and mail to or drop off at the State Bar. Monetary contributions must be received by December 2.
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Federal Court Filing System: CM/ECF and PACER Users
UPDATED NOTICE: Password Standards and Multifactor Authentication
The PACER Service Center (PSC) is currently experiencing long call wait times due to the enforcement of several security features that will enhance the security of PACER accounts, including updated password standards and multifactor authentication (MFA).
To help mitigate the wait times, enforcement of the updated password standards has been temporarily delayed. In addition, you are being ask that only users who receive a prompt to enroll in MFA when they log into the system should do so. If you do not receive an MFA enrollment prompt, no action is necessary. Please do not contact the PSC with questions about MFA until you are required to enroll. Doing so ensures support is available for those who need it. Some common questions received are answered on the list of MFA Tips and Resources, which should be reviewed before calling the PSC.
Additionally, we would like to get your feedback regarding the MFA options via a short survey.
Click Here to Start Survey
Thank you for your patience as we work to reduce call wait times and strengthen account security.
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What is the National Constitution Center Scholar
Exchange Program?
The West Virginia State Bar is partnering with the National Constitution Center’s Scholar Exchange program to educate middle school and high school students in West Virginia in the upcoming 2025-2026 academic year about the U.S. Constitution.
The Scholar Exchange Program provides lawyers, judges, and constitutional experts to join teachers in their classrooms for 45-minute virtual classes hosted by the National Constitution Center to discuss various constitutional topics with teachers and students from across the country.
With help from the National Constitution Center, the West Virginia State Bar is looking to partner with local educators in West Virginia to have lawyers from the Mountain State speak to their classes about the Constitution.
Click Here for more information on how to get involved
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We are more than HALF-WAY through the 2024-2026 CLE reporting period.
Are you on track to complete your CLE credits?
- 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 if you have not previously completed and reported the course in a prior reporting period. 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.
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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.
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CLE Rule Spotlight
Rule 6.07
Per Administrative Rule 6.07, there are requirements regarding returning to Active status, including completion and reporting of CLE. The steps for returning to Active status include (and should be completed in this order):
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Twelve (12) credits of approved MCLE credit must be completed and reported, 3 credits of which must be in legal ethics, law office management, attorney well-being or elimination of bias in the legal profession. All 12 credits can be obtained by an online means if necessary and must be obtained in the 12 months immediately preceding the application to change to Active status.
- Financial Responsibility Disclosure (FRD)/IOLTA (Interest on Lawyers Trust Accounts) compliance reporting must be completed online.
- A written request to switch to Active status must be submitted. Your request should be submitted online using the Status Change request form.
Once all of the above information is confirmed, the Active membership fee for the fiscal year you wish to return to active status must be paid. A payment link will be emailed to you for any balance due.
CLICK HERE for Rule 6 - Mandatory Continuing Legal Education
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All 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 per State Bar Administrative Rule 6.03(a). Attendance to Bridge the Gap is free to newly admitted members of the State Bar. Continuing legal education is available for completing Bridge the Gap program.
Host: WV State Bar Young Lawyer Section
Location: Bridgeport Conference Center, Bridgeport, WV
Cost: Free
CLE: 7 credits including 5 in ethics
CLICK HERE for Bridge the Gap requirements
CLICK HERE to Register for Bridge the Gap
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The West Virginia State Bar
www.wvbar.org
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