November "Tuesday Legal Connect"

Earn FREE CLE Credit Providing Legal Information By Phone!

The State Bar needs volunteer attorneys each Tuesday evening in November from 6-8 p.m. to field legal questions from the public and provide legal information ONLY as part of the "Tuesday Legal Connect" program.

Volunteers from anywhere in the state can take calls remotely from their home, office, etc. All you need is a telephone and a computer/laptop/tablet.

This a great opportunity for solo practitioners, small and medium size law firms (adopt a night), those in large firms who have yet to volunteer this year, and for those in corporate or government jobs!

Volunteers will receive 1 free pro-bono CLE credit for each two-hour shift completed. The more evenings you volunteer, the more cle credits you can earn!

If you would be interested in helping in November, don’t delay - email David Frercks today at dfrercks@lawv.net

Request for Public Comment on Proposed Amendments

to Rule 2.4 of the Rules of Judicial Disciplinary Procedure

Public comments are sought on a proposed amendment to Rule 2.4 of the Rules of Judicial Disciplinary Procedure. The proposed amendment would modify the confidentiality rule regarding judicial disciplinary complaints or investigations.

All comments must be filed in writing with the Clerk of Court through File & ServeXpress in No. 22-748 no later than November 22, 2023.

Click Here to View the Order

6^th Judicial Circuit Court Vacancy

The Judicial Vacancy Advisory Commission is currently receiving applications to fill the judicial vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Christopher D. Chiles in the 6th Judicial Circuit Court serving Cabell County. Candidates must submit their completed applications and letters of recommendation or comment no later than 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 29, 2023. 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 Wednesday, December 6, 2023.  

Click Here for the Application and Instructions

13^th Judicial Circuit Court Vacancy

The Judicial Vacancy Advisory Commission is currently receiving applications to fill the judicial vacancy created by the death of Judge Joanna I. Tabit in the 13th Judicial Circuit Court serving Kanawha County. Candidates must submit their completed applications and letters of recommendation or comment no later than 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 29, 2023. Candidates who applied for a previous vacancy in the 13th Judicial Circuit may send an email to JVAC@wv.gov to express their interest in applying for this vacancy without submitting a new application and reinterviewing, though such applicants may request to reinterview. 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 Wednesday, December 6, 2023.  

Click Here for the Application and Instructions

Request for Public Comment on proposed amendments to Rules 29.07, 29.08, 29.09, and 29.10 of the

West Virginia Trial Court Rules (Business Court Rules)

Public comments are sought on proposed amendments to Rules 29.07, 29.08, 29.09, and 29.10 of the West Virginia Trial Court Rules (Business Court Rules). The proposed amendments would clarify that business court judges may hold hearings and trials in any county in the state if agreed to by all parties and the presiding judge. The proposed amendments would further allow for arbitration as an alternative dispute resolution in business court cases.

All comments must be filed in writing with the Clerk of Court through File & ServeXpress in No. 22-701 no later than December 22, 2023. 

Click Here to View the Order

CLE Reporting Tip

The current CLE reporting period runs from July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2024. If you have already completed CLE for this reporting period you should report it NOW. Reporting CLE as you complete it will help you track whether or not you are in compliance for the reporting period, how many remaining credits you need to complete, and whether or not you have maxed out your 6 available carryover credits. Submitting an application for approval of a course is also easier if you do it as soon as you complete a course because you will more readily have the necessary application materials (detailed timed agenda; speaker bios and written course materials) on hand.  

PHV Annual Renewal Fees

How are the annual fees calculated and when does the attorney pay the annual renewal fee?

When an attorney is admitted pro hac vice in a WV civil action, the attorney must pay a fee of $350 to the WV State Bar pursuant to Rule 8 of the WV Rules for Admission to the Practice of Law. A separate fee must be paid for each civil action for which the attorney requests admission. In addition, if the attorney has been admitted for one year or more in one or more civil actions, the attorney must pay an annual fee of three hundred-fifty ($350) in addition to the application fee. The annual fee is charged per lawyer, not per civil action.

For example, if the attorney is admitted in one case on June 19, 2019, the attorney pays the initial $350 PHV admission fee. If that same attorney requests admission in 10 news cases on May 1, 2020, the attorney must pay the initial $350 PHV admission fee per civil action for a total of $3,500. The attorney must then pay one annual renewal fee of $350 by June 19, 2020. The oldest case (June 19, 2019) is the attorney’s annual renewal date and will trigger the annual fee notice. Even if the June 19, 2019 case settles or the attorney withdraws from the case, the June 19, 2019 case remains the oldest case in which the attorney requested and received admission and is still the attorney’s annual renewal date as long as the attorney is admitted PHV in any open civil action.  

The State Bar will send notice in advance of the due date for the annual fee, and will provide notice of the date when the annual fee will become delinquent. Failure to pay the annual fee within thirty days of the due date will result in termination of the attorney’s right to practice law in WV.