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FINAL NOTICE - BEFORE AUTOMATIC LATE FEES ARE ASSESSED
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP
2025-2026 REPORTING & FEE NOTICE
An orange postcard has been mailed to all Active, Active but not practicing, and Inactive Members via U. S. mail. See below copy of card. The postcard contained instructions on how to complete the annual reporting (FRD, IOLTA & Succession Planning - NOTE: This does not include CLE reporting) and pay annual fees for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. The deadline for reporting (FRD, IOLTA & Succession Planning - NOTE: Not CLE reporting) and paying annual membership fees is 11:59 p.m. September 2, 2025.
The Bylaws of the WVSB and the Supreme Court's Administrative Rules of the State Bar do not provide for the waiver of penalties and reinstatement fees (non-military). Members are obligated to notify the WVSB within 10 days of any change in contact information (Bylaw 2.02). Notice to members is presumptively deemed adequate if transmitted using membership information on record with the WVSB (Bylaw 13.02). It is the duty of every member to keep informed about the payment of membership fees, and failure to receive notice of nonpayment or suspension shall not affect the operation of such suspension (Rule 3.03). Failure to receive the orange card does not relieve you of your responsibilities of reporting and paying your fees.
CLICK HERE to PAY your Annual Membership Fees
and COMPLETE your Reporting
This is not your CLE REPORTING
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TOYS FOR TOTS
2025
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. Box drop off, collecting, and sorting will be done from October through November. If you are interested in volunteering to help by hosting a drop box, collecting, and/or sorting toys, please contact Mary Jane Pickens @ pickensjm@wvbar.org or Kenadee Murphy at murphyk@wvbar.org.
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Amendments to Bylaw 3.04 of the
Bylaw of the West Virginia State Bar
Approved
By order entered May 9, 2025 in 21-Rules-05, the Supreme Court of Appeals approved amendments to State Bar Bylaw 3.04, Authority to Set Other Fees. The amendments authorize the State Bar to apply a convenience fee to credit and debit card payments. By no later than July 1, 2025, a convenience fee of $5.00 will be added to a payment if paid by credit or debit card, as an alternative to payment by cash or check.
CLICK HERE to review the ORDER adopting the amendments
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Federal Court Filing System
Multifactor Authentication for CM/ECF and PACER Users
Multifactor authentication (MFA) will be required for all filers in Case Management/ Electronic Case Files (CM/ECF) with enrollment having begun on May 11, 2025. Those who do not voluntarily enroll in MFA will be randomly selected to enroll starting in August 2025. Users with filing privileges and other types of CM/ECF-level access are encouraged to enroll in MFA at their earliest convenience to preserve uninterrupted access.
By December 31, 2025, all CM/ECF users must be enrolled in MFA to maintain system access. Moreover, while MFA enrollment will be optional for PACER-only users, it is strongly recommended that they take advantage of this security feature. MFA provides an added layer of security to accounts by helping to protect against cyberattacks that steal passwords, significantly reducing the risk of unauthorized access.
Public CM/ECF and PACER users were previously informed of this requirement through the PACER website (Multifactor Authentication Coming Soon | PACER: Federal Court Records) and PACER bulletins on April 4, 2025 and May 2, 2025. Additionally, to assist filers with this change, there is updated documentation and learning aids available on the PACER website.
If you have questions, please contact the PACER Service Center at pacer@psc.uscourts.gov or (800) 676-6856. The PACER Service Center hours of operation are Monday through Friday
8 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT.
*Please note that if using third-party software for filing, CM/ECF users should ensure MFA is supported by that software before enrolling to avoid any disruption in business processes.
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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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September 5, 2025
Fourteenth Annual Lunch & Laughs With a Legal Legend
Host: WV Bar Foundation
Location: Erickson Alumni Center, Morgantown
Time: 11:30 a.m.
Cost: See registration link below
The West Virginia Bar Foundation's Board of Directors invites members of the judiciary, the legal profession, and the general public to attend the Fourteenth Annual Lunch & Laughs with a Legal Legend. This year's honored guest will be Justice John A. Hutchison, retired Justice of the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia.
CLICK HERE to REGISTER and for more information
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September 17, 2025
Navigating the WV Tax Sale: Processing and Title Challenges
Host: Real Estate Committee of the WV State Bar
Location: In-person at the State Bar Center, Lower Level Training Center, and live Webinar
Time: 9:00 a.m. to noon
CLE: 3 credits including
Speakers: Hampton Rose, Esq., Andrea McCardle, Esq., and Abraham Ashton, Esq.
CLICK HERE to Register for live In-Person Attendance
CLICK HERE to Register for live Webinar Attendance
CLICK HERE FOR AGENDA
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 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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September 18, 2025
6th Annual WV Estate Planning Institute
Host: WV State Bar Probate Committee and WV Bar Association
Location: Charleston Coliseum & Convention Center (In-Person and Virtual attendance)
Time: 8:45 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
CLE: 6.6 credits including 2.4 credits in ethics
CLICK HERE to Register
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September 18-20, 2025
2025 Appalachian Addiction and
Prescription Drug Abuse Conference
Pain and Addiction, Best Practices & Proper Prescribing: The Transformation in the Treatment and Recovery of Mental Illness and Addiction
Host: In conjunction with WV Judicial & Lawyer Assistance Program
Location: Embassy Suites by Hilton Charleston, Charleston, WV
CLE: 24 credits including 10.8 in ethics/attorney wellbeing
Registration Fee: $150.00
CLICK Here for Agenda
CLICK Here for More Information
A limited number of registration scholarships are available please contact Shawnette D'Arco at darco@wvjlap.org.
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September 30, 2025
Criminal Law Legislative Update
Free Lunch & Learn Webinar
Host: State Bar Criminal Law Committee
Location: Live Webinar only
Time: Noon to 1:00 p.m.
CLE: 1.2 credits
CLICK HERE to Register
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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.
CLICK HERE for Bridge the Gap requirements
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The West Virginia State Bar
www.wvbar.org
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*You are receiving this email because you have elected to receive the Bar-Blast from the WV State Bar. To change you email address or manage your email subscriptions, you must log into the Membership Portal at mywvbar.org. This mailing list is updated weekly.
**UNSUBSCRIBE WARNING**
Using the link below to unsubscribe from the bar blast will stop all important notices regarding membership payment and CLE deadlines, in addition to the weekly bar blast.
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