September 9, 2025

West Virginia State Bar

Executive Director Position Vacancy

The West Virginia State Bar Board of Governors is receiving applications to fill the West Virginia State Bar Executive Director position, due to her upcoming retirement. The application and all other documents must be submitted no later than 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 23, 2025. 

CLICK HERE for More Information on the Application Process

CLICK HERE for APPLICATION

NEWS

15th JUDICIAL CIRCUIT COURT VACANCY

The Judicial Vacancy Advisory Commission is currently receiving applications to fill the judicial circuit court vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Thomas H. Ewing in the 15th Judicial Circuit serving Fayette County. Candidates must submit their completed applications and letters of recommendation or comment no later than 5:00 p.m. on Monday, September 29, 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 10, 2025.  

CLICK HERE for Instructions and Application

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. 

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.  

CLE

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.
• 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.
• 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.
• CLE must be reported via the online member portal at www.mywvbar.org.
• Check your CLE transcript for accuracy. Correction requests must be submitted in writing to compliance@wvbar.org  
• 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.

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):

• 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

EVENTS

Join your colleagues and earn 3 CLE credits including 1 credit in ethics! Lunch will be provided. Registration Fee is $150.00 per regional meeting.

Click Here for Additional Regional Meeting Information

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.

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

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. 

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

A DAY AT THE CLUB - 2025

October 13, 2025

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER AND FOR MORE INFORMATION

For questions about the tournament please contact Jennifer Keadle Mason at 412-427-8828 or Jennifer.Mason@Dinsmore.com  For assistance with registration or technical questions, please contact Andrew Eden at 304-553-7223.

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