February 6, 2024

The 2022-2024 CLE Reporting period ends on June 30, 2024

• Any CLE that has been completed since July 1, 2022 should be reported NOW!
• All CLE credits must be completed AND reported on your CLE transcript by July 31, 2024 to avoid the $200 late reporting fee
• There is an additional $200 reinstatement fee if you are suspended for CLE non-compliance
• Only half of your required credits can be obtained from pre-recorded, online courses 
• Half of your required credits must be from live attendance courses. Live attendance is either a traditional, in-person classroom setting OR a live, fully interactive webinar where you can interact with the speakers and ask questions. Please note that watching a recorded webinar that requires you to periodically verify you are still watching is NOT live attendance. 

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

Amendments to the West Virginia Rules of Civil Procedure -Adopted

EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2025

On January 31, 2024, the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia adopted amendments to the West Virginia Rules of Civil Procedure to take effect on January 1, 2025.

Click Here to review the order adopting the amendments

2023 Pro Bono Leaders

The State Bar is pleased to share that the ABA Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service is recognizing the below Bar members as 2023 Pro Bono Leaders for their extraordinary pro bono services through the ABA Free Legal Answers.

M. Jane Glauser - 167 civil legal questions answered

Richard Goldstein – 152 civil legal questions answered

Nigel E. Jeffries – 65 civil legal questions answered

The Bar wishes to thank Ms. Glauser, Mr. Goldstein, Mr. Jeffries and all Bar members who take time from their busy schedules to help make the ABA Free Legal Answers a success.  

CLE Reporting Tip

Non-Approved Course Applications and

Written Materials Requirement 

The CLE application for Non-Approved Courses requires at least a sample of the written materials for the course. The application clearly notes that a course must include the distribution of high quality written materials pertaining to the subjects covered. Agendas, course brochures, certificates of completion, session descriptions etc. are NOT high quality written materials pertaining to the subjects covered.  If a course did not include the distribution of actual written materials it should NOT be submitted for CLE credit in WV.

Events

Civil Legal Issues in Reentry

February 20, 2024

Host: WV State Bar Multicultural Lawyers Committee

CLE: 3 Credits

Location: In-person at the State Bar Center, Large Lower Level Conference Room, Charleston and via live video conference.

Time: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Cost: Free

Speaker: Marie C. Bechtel, Esq. Supervising Attorney, Beckley Office, Legal Aid of West Virginia

Topics:

• Criminal Record Expungement
• Driver's License Restoration and Child Support Modification
• CPS File Sealing and Post-Dispositional Modification in Child Abuse and Neglect Cases

Click Here for Live In-Person Registration

Click Here for Live Online/Webinar Registration

Facility Details:  Due to limited capacity for live attendance at the State Bar Center, registration is limited to the first 35 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.

Women Legal Professional Retreat 

February 29, 2024 - March 3, 2024

Hosts: West Virginia, North Carolina, and Virginia Lawyer Assistance Programs 

Location: The Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center, Roanoke, VA 

CLE: 14.1 credits in ethics/attorney well-being/law office management/elimination of bias

Click Here to REGISTER

A block of rooms have been reserved at The Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center at a discounted rate of $122.00/single and $142.00/double (not including taxes, fees and parking). This discount rate is available until January 31, 2024 unless all rooms have sold out. Click Here to make a reservation at the discounted rate or contact the hotel at 540-985-5900. There are also other hotels in and around downtown Roanoke.

West Virginia State Bar 2024 Annual Meeting

April 7 - 8, 2024

Host: West Virginia State Bar

Location: Embassy Suites, Charleston, West Virginia

Cost:

• $75 Banquet only
• $150 CLE Seminar only
• $225 Sunday Banquet and Monday CLE program

CLE: Pending

Sunday, April 7th -  

• 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

Monday, April 8th -  

• 8:00-9:00 a.m. Registration and sponsor displays
• 9:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. Continuing Legal Education Program (includes a box lunch)

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 $75 for the April 8th Seminar.

Registration closes on March 22, 2024 at 4:00 p.m.

Accommodations: A block of rooms has been reserved at the Embassy Suites, Charleston for $149/night for Sunday, April 7, 2024 only.

Room reservations must be made by March 15, 2024.

SAVE THE DATE

April 8, 2024 - 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Bridge the Gap Program

Host: West Virginia State Bar Young Lawyer Section

About: Newly admitted members are required to complete a mandatory Bridge-the–Gap Program sponsored by the State Bar within 24 months after admission to the West Virginia State Bar. Any new lawyer admitted to practice between July 1, 2018 and December 31, 2020 has thirty-six months after their date of admission to complete the program due to COVID extension accommodations ordered by the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals. All new lawyers admitted on or after January 1, 2021, have twenty-four months after their date of admission to complete the program per Administrative Rule 6.03(a). 

Location: Embassy Suites, Charleston, West Virginia

Cost: Free

Hotel: A block of rooms has been reserved at the Embassy Suites, Charleston. Click here for the room reservation link. 



Event information and registration coming soon

Only newly admitted attorneys who have not previously completed the Bridge the Gap requirement may attend the live course to satisfy the mandatory Bridge the Gap requirements.