March 8, 2022
You are invited
to the 2022 Annual Meeting
REGISTRATION $210 Includes Reception Annual Banquet & CLE Seminars
Includes Reception & Annual Banquet Only
Includes CLE Seminars Only
Federal & State Public Defenders, Law Clerks, and/or Legal Aid of WV Employees.


Request for Public Comment on Proposed Amendments to the
Rules of Practice and Procedure for Family Courts,
Rules of Practice and Procedure for Minor Guardianship Proceedings,
Rules of Procedure for Administrative Appeals,
and Rules of Appellate Procedure
 
On July 1, 2022, the judicial system in West Virginia will have an Intermediate Court of Appeals (ICA). Amendments to procedural rules are necessary to set forth the appellate procedure for once the ICA is established. The proposed amendments are available for Comment.

On February 25, 2022, the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia approved a 45-day period of public comment on proposed revisions to the Rules of Practice and Procedure for Family Courts, Rules of Practice and Procedure for Minor Guardianship Proceedings, Rules of Procedure for Administrative Appeals, and Rules of Appellate Procedure.  The public comment period closes on April 11, 2022.
All comments must be filed in writing with the Clerk of the Court no later than April 11, 2022.

Recognition of WV State Bar Members who
Volunteer for Free Legal Answers
 
The West Virginia State Bar and the American Bar Association thank all WV Bar members who have stepped up and volunteered to answer questions through West Virginia Free Legal Answers.  With your help, many West Virginians, who cannot afford an attorney and have nowhere else to turn, have been provided guidance on a wide range of legal issues. You are appreciated.
More help is needed. You are urged to step up and offer assistance. 

News
WEST VIRGINIA SUPREME COURT VACANCY
The Judicial Vacancy Advisory Commission is currently receiving applications to fill the judicial vacancy on the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals.   Candidates must submit their completed applications and letters of recommendation or comment no later than 5:00 p.m. on March 14, 2022. Applications and instructions are available at Click here to access application and instructions. 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 March 28, 2022.  
Public Interest Advocates (PIA) Auction
The Public Interest Advocates auction raises money to sponsor summer and full-time public interest fellowships for WVU College of Law students to work in public interest organizations throughout West Virginia. Our biggest fundraiser each year is the spring PIA Auction. This year’s auction will be held virtually during the week of March 21-25, 2022 on the 32auctions.com site. The PIA auction direct link is www.32auctions.com/wvupia2022auction Anyone can register to bid; it is free to use 32auctions and PIA will work with all winning bidders to get items to them! 

 
Questions can be directed to dkimble3@mail.wvu.edu or PIA President Audra Grimm at alg0080@mix.wvu.edu. Thank you!
"Tuesday Legal Connect" Needs Your Help
The State Bar is in need of volunteer attorneys Tuesday evenings from 6pm-8pm during the month of March (excluding 3/22/22) to field legal questions from the public 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. Volunteers are eligible to receive 1 pro-bono CLE credits for each two-hour shift completed. If you would be interested in helping in March, please email Maria Borror at mborror@lawv.net as soon as possible. 
2022 State Bar Membership Directory Pre-Order
The pre-order information and forms for the 2022 paper edition of the West Virginia State Bar 2022 Membership Directory are available. Click here to pre-order the paper version.
CLE
THE JUNE 30, 2022 CLE DEADLINE IS APPROACHING! 
Here is What You Need to Know
 
The reporting period for 2020-2022 ends on June 30, 2022. There will be NO extensions of the CLE reporting period. Under the current suspension process, all CLE credits must be completed AND reported on your CLE transcript by July 31, 2022 to avoid penalty. The late fee for reporting CLE credits has been increased to $200. There is an additional $200 reinstatement fee if you are suspended for CLE non-compliance. The suspension process will begin promptly after all required notices are sent to non-compliant attorneys. All CLE credits for this reporting period may be completed by an on-line means if necessary. 
 
If you have question regarding your CLE credits, email your specific question to Angie Volk at volka@wvbar.org.

Please CLICK HERE for additional information regarding FREE online CLE opportunities, confirmation of pending CLE credits and CLE requirements.

Events
March 21, 2022 -- 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Attorney Retirement and Cognitive Decline Webinar
Host: WVJLAP Board
CLE: 3 ethics credits in attorney well-being (pending)
Location: In-person at the State Bar Center, Large Lower Level Conference Room, Charleston or
via video conference.
Cost: Free
Speakers:
  • 10:00 a.m. - Dr. Timothy S. Saar, Ph.D. -- Saar Psychological Group --- "The Neuropsychology of Cognitive Decline of Legal Professionals"
 
  • 11:00 a.m. - Ida Abbott, Esquire -- Ida Abbott Consulting --- "Retiring By Design, Not Default: Challenges and Strategies for Letting Go and Moving On"
 
  • 12:00 p.m. - Shari Pearlman, JD -- Assistant Director of Lawyers Assistance Program of British Columbia (LAPBC) "Preparing for Retirement & Addressing Cognitive Decline”




Facility Details:  Due to limited capacity for live attendance at the State Bar Center, live registration is limited to the first 35 fully vaccinated registrants. Attendance via webinar is also limited to the first 500 registrants. There is an increased interest in attending webinars as the end of the 2020-22 reporting period approaches; 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.

March 24, 2022 - 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.
West Virginia Collaborative Bar Association Reception
 
Please join us for a reception in honor of the state’s courts, attorneys, law professors, and law students. The reception will be held on Thursday, March 24, 2022, from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. in the Fitzsimmons Event Hall at the WVU College of Law in Morgantown. Hors d'oeuvres, wine, and beer will be served. 
Hosted by the WV State Bar, WVU College of Law, Defense Trial Counsel of WV, WV Association for Justice, WV Bar Association, WV Judicial & Lawyers Assistance Program, and WV Bar Foundation.
APRIL 10 & 11, 2022
WV STATE BAR 2022 ANNUAL MEETING AND SEMINAR
CHARLESTON, WV

Host: State Bar
Location: Embassy Suites, 300 Court Street, Charleston, WV
Cost: $150 CLE Program only or $210 Sunday Banquet and Monday CLE program
CLE: 6.0 credits in West Virginia (including 1 credit in law office management)
Schedule of Activities:
Sunday, April 10 --
  •  6:30-7:30 p.m. Attorney and Judicial Welcome Reception and sponsor displays.
  • 7:30-9:30 p.m. Annual Banquet and sponsor displays ($75/person)
Monday, April 11 -
  • 8-9 a.m. Registration and sponsor displays
  • 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Continuing Legal Education Program ($150, includes a box lunch)
If attending both the Sunday banquet and Monday CLE program, a discounted rate of $210 is available.

State Bar Members who are employed as Federal/State Public Defenders, Federal/State Court Law Clerks, and/or with Legal Aid of WV are offered a special discounted rate of $50 for the April 11 Seminar and may click here to register
Accommodations - Embassy Suites, Charleston -- $134 per night plus applicable taxes. Special price is good for the nights of April 8-12. Cost includes a daily hot breakfast buffet and cooked-to-order omelet station as well as a nightly manager’s reception with complimentary cocktails, beer and wine. Click here to reserve a room online or call 304-347-8700 and ask for “reservations.” Use code WVB. To receive this discounted rate, reservations must be made by March 28, 2022.
APRIL 11, 2022 - NOON
Pro Bono Work to Empower and Represent (2022 POWER Act Event)
In conjunction with the West Virginia State Bar Annual Meeting

Host: United States District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of West Virginia
Location: Embassy Suites - Salons A/B
Cost: Free
CLE: 1.0 credit
Speakers:
  • Michael Aloi, U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Northern District of West Virginia
  • Omar Aboulhosn, U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Southern District of West Virginia
  • Kate White, Attorney for Legal Aid of West Virginia
Register at the door of Salons
Direct questions to Stephanie Hainer Ojeda at Stephanie_Ojeda@wvnd.uscourts.gov
APRIL 11, 2022
West Virginia State Bar Young Lawyer Section 
Bridge the Gap Program
To be held in conjunction with the West Virginia State Bar Annual Meeting
 
About: Each new lawyer admitted to practice after July 1, 2018 through 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.
Host: WV State Bar Young Lawyer Section
Location: Embassy Suites, 300 Court Street, Charleston, WV
Cost: Free
Date: April 11, 2022 - 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

 
Registration coming soon
 
Only members 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.
COMING IN May
Intellectual Property
Host: State Bar Intellectual Property Committee
CLE:  pending
Location: In-person at the State Bar Center, Large Lower Level Conference Room, Charleston or via video conference.
Cost: Free
Speakers: More information coming

Registration coming soon

Facility Details:  Due to limited capacity for live attendance at the State Bar Center, live registration is limited to the first 35 fully vaccinated registrants. Attendance via webinar is also limited to the first 500 registrants. There is an increased interest in attending webinars as the end of the 2020-22 reporting period approaches; 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.
SAVE THE DATE - May 19 & 20, 2022
Bankruptcy Bootcamp - May 19, 2022
and
West Virginia Bankruptcy and Commercial Law Seminar - May 20, 2022

Host: U.S. Bankruptcy Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of West Virginia
and State Bar Bankruptcy Law Committee
CLE: 
  • May 19 Bootcamp -- 4 credits
  • May 20 Seminar -- 8 credits including 3 possible ethics credits
Location:
  • May 19 Bootcamp - In-person (limited to 35)at the State Bar Center, Lower Level Conference Room, Charleston and via Zoom (limited to 500)
  • May 20 Seminar - In-person only (limited to 200) at the Embassy Suites, Charleston
Cost:
  • May 19 Bootcamp - Free in-person and zoom (attorneys and staff)
  • May 20 Seminar - $150 for attorneys and staff




State Bar Facility Details:  Due to limited capacity for live attendance at the State Bar Center, live registration is limited to the first 35 fully vaccinated registrants. Attendance via webinar is also limited to the first 500 registrants. There is an increased interest in attending webinars as the end of the 2020-22 reporting period approaches; 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.
 May 20-22, 2022
WVJLAP ANNUAL CONFERENCE & RETREAT
2022 Wellness Weekend
 
Host: West Virginia Judicial & Lawyer Assistance Program
CLE: 5.2 CLE credits
Cost: $150.00 CLE & Banquet (See registration for optional costs)
Location:  Stonewall Resort, Roanoke, WV
 
 
SAVE THE DATE - JUNE 1, 2022
Basic Mediation Training
Flatwoods, WV

Host: State Bar ADR Committee
CLE: 7.6 credits
Location: Flatwoods Days Inn and Suites and Flatwoods Conference Center, 350 Days Drive, Sutton, WV
 
A block of rooms has been reserved at the Flatwoods Days Inn & Suites at the discounted rate of $99.00 plus and taxes and fees. To receive the discounted rate, inform the hotel that you are attending the WV State Bar's event when making your reservation. The reservation contact number is 304-765-5055.  

Click here for Agenda | Registration will open in April
 
Information on the Advanced Mediation Training coming soon. 
The West Virginia State Bar
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