Bar Blast - April 15, 2025

April 15, 2025

UPDATE YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION

The State Bar will be mailing orange postcard reminders regarding annual membership reporting and fees in June for the July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026 fiscal year. Please be sure to log into the membership portal and verify or update your contact information (Bylaw 2.02 (b)) by JUNE 1.

Information that you will need to verify or update include:

1. Name of Employer (If sole practitioner, enter the sole practitioner’s name)

2. Address of Principal Place of Business

3. Telephone and Fax Numbers

4. Email Address

2025 ANNUAL MEETING

2025 - AWARD WINNERS

The West Virginia State Bar congratulates the following award winners who were recognized at the State Bar's Annual Banquet on April 3, 2025.

Young Lawyer of the Year – Joseph “Jay” Ford

Kaufman Award for ProBono Services - Jeff C. Woods

Mentor of the Year – Matt Jividen

Solo/Small Firm Lawyer of the Year - Bradley Wright

Government Lawyer/Public Defender of the Year – Eleanor Hurney

NEW STATE BAR OFFICERS AND MEMBERS

The West Virginia State Bar is pleased to announce new officers and members of the West Virginia State Bar Board of Governors for 2025-2026.

New officers are David D. Amsbary - President; Robby J. Aliff - President-Elect; and Kimberley D. Crockett- Vice President.

Newly elected members of the State Bar’s Board of Governors are Morgan D. Spolarich - Beckley; David A. Pfeifer - Princeton; Sarah F. Smith - Fayetteville; Michael W. Parker - Elkins; and Nicole A. Cofer - Charleston

Newly elected officers of the West Virginia State Bar’s Young Lawyer Section Board are Nicholas E. Gordon - - Chairperson; John M. Isner - Vice-Chairperson; and R. Mitchell Moore - Secretary

Newly elected members of the State Bar’s Young Lawyer Section Board are Madison A. Birchfield - Beckley; Patrick A. Erickson, Jr. - Princeton; Mackenzie A. Holdren - Summersville; S. L. Les Mallow, Jr. – Elkins; and Isaiah C. Robinson - Charleston.

CLE

CLE Rule Spotlight

Change to Active Status

Per Administrative Rule 6.07, any attorney who wants to return to Active status who is currently on Active Not Practicing or Inactive status or who has been administratively suspended by the State Bar, or suspended or disbarred by the Supreme Court of Appeals, must complete a minimum of 12 credits of CLE, including at least 3 credits in ethics, within the 12 months immediately preceding the application and pay the applicable fees to change to Active status. Judicial status members who wish to return to Active status are exempt from this requirement.

NEWS

Request for Public Comment on Amendments

to Rule 17 of the West Virginia Trial Court Rules

By Order entered on March 28, 2025, the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia is seeking Public comments on proposed amendments to Rule 17 of the West Virginia Trial Court Rules. All comments must be filed in writing with the Office of the Clerk on or before Monday, April 28, 2025.

CLICK HERE to review the ORDER

Request for Public Comment on Amendments

to Rules 2 and 27 of the Rules of Practice and Procedure

for Domestic Violence Civil Proceedings

By Order entered on April 3, 2025, the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia is seeking public comments on proposed amendments to Rules 2 and 27 of the Rules of Practice and Procedure for Domestic Violence Civil Proceedings. All comments must be filed in writing with the Office of the Clerk on or before Monday, May 5, 2025.

CLICK HERE to review the ORDER

RENEWED AND AMENDED LEGISLATIVE RULE FOR THE

PAYMENT OF FEES AND REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES

OF COURT APPOINTED COUNSEL

Public Defender Services’ legislative rule, codified at 89 CSR 1, establishes the guidelines for the submission of vouchers to the agency for payment of fees and reimbursement of expenses of attorneys appointed by the courts to represent indigent defendants in criminal proceedings or to represent respondents and children in child abuse and neglect proceedings. The legislative rule was renewed, with amendments, and made effective on April 9, 2025.

CLICK HERE to Review the Renewed and Amended

CLICK HERE for a Summary of the Revisions to the Rule

The OVS Help Desk at (304) 741-8650 is available to answer any questions.

Adoption of Amendments to Rule 26 of the West Virginia

Rules of Juvenile Procedure

On March 20, 2025, the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia adopted amendments to Rule 26 of the West Virginia Rules of Juvenile Procedure regarding juvenile competency proceedings for delinquency cases.

CLICK HERE to review the ORDER adopting the amendments

Adoption of Amendments to the West Virginia Trial Court Rules

On April 2, 2025, the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia adopted amendments to Rule 2 of the West Virginia Trial Court Rules regarding Terms of Court.

CLICK HERE to review the ORDER adopting the amendments

EVENTS

April 22, 2025

The Role of Relationships in Conflict Resolution

Host: State Bar ADR Committee

CLE: 1.2 credits including 1.2 in ethics

Location: Live Webinar Attendance

Time: 12 - 1 p.m.

CLICK HERE to REGISTER

NOTE: Attendance via webinar is 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 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.

May 2-3, 2025

Real Estate Conference

The West Virginia Bar Association will hold the annual Real Estate Conference at the Stonewall Resort in Roanoke, West Virginia, on May 2-3, 2025.

HOST: The West Virginia Bar Association

LOCATION: Live and Virtual Attendance

TIME: Saturday, May 3 from 8:00 – 4:30 pm.

Who should attend: This event is open to lawyers and non-lawyers

COST: WVBA Member $350/ Non-Member $425

CLE: Pending

CLICK HERE for more information

Registration is required and will be open until May 2^nd at 5:00 p.m.

Taking Care of Children

Child Abuse & Neglect Attorney Training

HOST: Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia, Court Improvement Program

TIME: 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

CLE: Pending

LOCATIONS: As stated below

COST: Free

The WV Court Improvement Program invites you to attend Taking Care of Children CAN attorney training, May 5 in Charleston, WV and May 7 in Morgantown, WV (you only need to attend one). If you are a current CAN attorney or want to become one, please attend the training. CAN attorneys are needed, there are over 6,000 children in care, and less than 200 attorneys to assist these children and their families. PLEASE consider becoming a CAN attorney.

Click Here to REGISTER for South Charleston

Click Here to REGISTER for Morgantown

Questions, contact Kandi Greter at kandi.greter@courtswv.gov or 304-340-2755.

May 16-18, 2025

WVJLAP Annual Conference & Retreat

Host: WV Judicial & Lawyer Assistance Program

CLE: 6.2 credits including 5.2 in ethics

Location: Stonewall Resort - Roanoke, WV

CLICK HERE for Agenda

CLICK HERE to REGISTER

CLICK HERE for Hotel Reservations

The last day to secure the room rate is April 16, 2025

Questions contact WVJLAP at 304-553-7232

July 26 – August 9, 2025

CLE Abroad Program

Oxford, England

Host: University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law in partnership with the West Virginia Bar Association

CLE: 30 credits including 7.5 in ethics

Date: July 26 – August 9, 2025

Platform: Live

Event Highlights: Join us for the Oxford Summer School for a unique two-week educational expedition to the native home of common law. This international adventure includes optional excursions to Scotland, Ireland, Belgium, Bath, and Windsor.

*$500 refundable deposit due by April 21, 2025

CLICK HERE for more information

CLICK HERE to REGISTER

Direct questions to Amanda Rose Falk at director@wvbarassociation.org

The West Virginia State Bar

www.wvbar.org

*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.