The State Bar will be mailing orange postcard reminders regarding membership reporting and fees in June for the July 1, 2023 - June 30, 2024 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.

The current term of office of United States Magistrate Judge Michael J. Aloi at Clarksburg/ Elkins, West Virginia, is due to expire on September 30, 2023. The United States District Court is required by law to establish a panel of citizens to consider the reappointment of the magistrate judge to a new eight (8) year term.  The duties of a magistrate judge in this Court include, but are not limited to, the following: 1) conduct of most preliminary proceedings in criminal cases; 2) trial and disposition of misdemeanor cases; 3) conduct of various pretrial matters and evidentiary proceedings upon delegation from the judges of the district court; and 4) trial and disposition of civil cases upon consent of the litigants. Comments from members of the bar and the public are invited as to whether the incumbent magistrate judge should be recommended by the panel for reappointment by the Court and should be placed in an envelope marked “CONFIDENTIAL” and directed to Cheryl Dean Riley, Clerk of Court, U.S. District Court, 1125 Chapline Street, P.O. Box 471, Wheeling WV 26003. Comments must be received by April 17, 2023.   

17^th Judicial Circuit Court Vacancy

The Judicial Vacancy Advisory Commission is currently receiving applications to fill the judicial vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Susan B. Tucker in the 17^th Judicial Circuit Court serving Monongalia County. Candidates must submit their completed applications and letters of recommendation or comment no later than 5:00 p.m. on Friday, April 21, 2023.  Anyone who applied for the 17th Judicial Circuit seat in December 2022 may request to be considered by JVAC by confirming their continued interest without the need to resubmit a full application. Those that confirm their continued interest need not interview again, but may include a request to be re-interviewed if desired. If any material changes have occurred since applications were filed for the 17th Judicial Circuit seat in December 2022, please provide an update to JVAC regarding such changes. 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, May 3, 2023.  

21^st Judicial Circuit Court Vacancy

The Judicial Vacancy Advisory Commission is currently receiving applications to fill the judicial vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Lynn A. Nelson in the 21^st Judicial Circuit Court serving Grant, Mineral, and Tucker Counties. Candidates must submit their completed applications and letters of recommendation or comment no later than 5:00 p.m. on Friday, April 21, 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, May 3, 2023. 

The Joint Committee on Government and Finance has been updating the Legislative website to include the content of passed bills (now Acts) in the Code that are effective from passage. Many bills will become effective in May, June and July and will be uploaded to the Legislature's website then.

As part of the 1L Legal Research and Writing coursework, students have the opportunity to answer West Virginia Free Legal Answers under the direct supervision of licensed attorneys. The spring session is scheduled for Tuesday, April 4, 2023 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at the WVU College of Law. 

Ten attorneys in good standing are needed to supervise the students as they learn to how to do legal research and writing on the fly! 

If you would like to assist with the students, please email Molly Russell at mrussell@lawv.net. 

Host: WV State Bar's Minority Lawyers Committee 

Location: West Virginia State University -- Fannin S. Belcher Theater in the Davis Fine Arts Center

Time: 3:00 p.m.

Cost: Free

CLE: 1 credit

Sponsor: United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of West Virginia

Location: Millsop Community Center, 3420 Main Street, Weirton, West Virginia 26062

CLE: 3.6 credits

Cost: Free

Time: 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM

To Register, email  Anna.Oneil@usdoj.gov.

This CLE is free and open to the public. The “Protecting the Public: Civil Rights Enforcement in West Virginia” event is intended to educate members of the legal community about federal civil rights enforcement. Attendees will be provided information about how to identify, report, and prevent hate crimes. Further, the statutory mechanics of the Fair Housing Act (FHA) will be explained, and attendees will learn how to file complaints and obtain damages for persons suffering discrimination in housing.  An overview of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) will also be provided and will include tips for filing an ADA complaint. Lastly, a presentation about Environmental Justice will be given.

Host:   WV Bar Foundation

Location: Four Points Sheraton Hotel, Charleston, WV 

Contact Tessa White for more information - tessa@wvbarfoundation.org

Click Here for More Information

For questions, contact Alicia Ridenour at alicia@ylaleads.org or at 304-675-5899

Host: WV State Bar

Location: WV State Bar Center - Lower Conference Room & Live Webinar

Time: 9 a.m. to noon

Cost: Free CLE

CLE: Pending

Host: WV Judicial & Lawyer Assistance Program

CLE: 8 credits in ethics/attorney well-being

Location: Stonewall Resort - Roanoke, WV

Host: Public Defender Services

CLE: Pending

Location: Marriott Charleston Town Center

Cost: $300 for lawyers; $150 for non-lawyers; $75 for interns

Go to the Public Defender Services' website at www.pds.wv.gov and click on the Annual Conference banner for upcoming information as planning progresses.

Contact Pamela Clark at Pam.R.Clark@wv.gov for questions