July 4, 2023
Wishing everyone a safe and happy Independence Day
The State Bar will reopen on Wednesday, July 5
SAVE THE DATE
News
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP REPORTING & FEE NOTICE
On June 13, 2023, an orange postcard was mailed to all Active, Active but not practicing, and Inactive Members via U. S. mail. The postcard contained instructions on how to complete annual reporting (FRD, IOLTA & Succession Planning - NOTE: This does not include CLE reporting) and pay annual fees for the 2023-2024 fiscal year. The deadline for reporting (FRD, IOLTA & Succession Planning - NOTE: Not CLE reporting) and paying annual membership fees is 11:59 p.m. September 1, 2023. 

The Bylaws of the WVSB and the Supreme Court's Administrative Rules of the State Bar do not provide for the waiver of penalties and reinstatement fees (non-military). Members are obligated to notify the WVSB within 10 days of any change in contact information (Bylaw 2.02). Notice to members is presumptively deemed adequate if transmitted using membership information on record with the WVSB (Bylaw 13.02). It is the duty of every member to keep informed about the payment of membership fees, and failure to receive notice of nonpayment or suspension shall not affect the operation of such suspension (Rule 3.03). Failure to receive the orange card does not relieve you of your responsibilities of reporting and paying your fees. 
PUBLIC NOTICE FOR REAPPOINTMENT
OF INCUMBENT MAGISTRATE JUDGE ABOULHOSN
 
The current term of office of United States Magistrate Judge Omar J. Aboulhosn, at Bluefield, West Virginia, is due to expire on December 31, 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-year term.

The duties of a magistrate judge in this district include the following: (1) conducting most preliminary proceedings in criminal cases; (2) trial and disposition of misdemeanor cases; (3) conducting various pretrial matters and evidentiary proceedings on referral from the judges of the district court; and (4) conducting trial and disposition of civil cases upon consent of the litigants.

Comments are invited from members of the bar and the public 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 Rory L. Perry II, Clerk of Court, U.S. District Court, 300 Virginia Street East, P.O. Box 2546, Charleston WV 25329. Comments must be received by July 28, 2023.
13th Judicial Circuit Court Vacancy
The Judicial Vacancy Advisory Commission is currently receiving applications to fill the judicial vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Louis H. Bloom 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 Tuesday, August 8. 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 Tuesday, August 22, 2023.  

14th Judicial Circuit Court Vacancy
The Judicial Vacancy Advisory Commission is currently receiving applications to fill the judicial vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Richard A. Facemire in the 14th Judicial Circuit Court serving Braxton, Clay, Gilmer, and Webster Counties. Candidates must submit their completed applications and letters of recommendation or comment no later than 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 8, 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 Tuesday, August 22, 2023.  

CLE
We are HALF-WAY through the 2022-2024 CLE reporting period –
are you on track to complete your CLE credits?
 
  • The CLE reporting period ends June 30, 2024.
  • Active members must report a minimum of 24 CLE credits, including at least 3 credits in one of the four ethics categories. Lower CLE requirements apply to attorneys admitted to practice during the reporting period. Those attorneys should refer to Administrative Rule 6.04(a).
  • No more than half of the total CLE requirements may be satisfied by pre-recorded presentations with no interactive component. 
  • Over 40 FREE online CLE credits are available on the WV State Bar website. These are recordings of previously presented State Bar courses. These courses/credits may be used to meet your CLE requirements if you have not previously completed and reported the course in a prior reporting period. Click here for the list of courses and credits.
  • All CLE must be reported via the online member portal at www.mywvbar.org.
  • Check your CLE transcript for accuracy. Correction requests must be submitted in writing to volka@wvbar.org. 
  • Confirm any credits that have been imported for you by CLE providers – such credits are “pending” on your CLE transcript. Credits are not part of your CLE total until they are confirmed.
CLE Rule Spotlight
Important CLE Reporting Reminders for 2022-2024 Reporting Period
Administrative Rule 6.09(j) 

Administrative Rule 6.09(j) provides that simultaneous electronic synchronous broadcasts (which are essentially LIVE, fully interactive webcasts) can be approved/reported as live attendance credit if the courses otherwise meet the CLE approval standards. You must be attending the webcast live, it must be designed for interaction among a group of attorneys and you must have the ability to interact with the speakers and ask questions.
Events
July 11, 2023 - 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Lunch & Learn for Summer Associates/Law Clerks/Interns/
and Law Students
After Law School: How to Maintain Your Law License
(Live In-Person and Webinar Attendance)

Hosts: WV State Bar, WV Board of Law Examiners, WV ODC, and WVJLAP
CLE: This is not a CLE Program. It is an informational presentation for law clerks.
Location: In-person at the State Bar Center, Lower Level Conference Room, Charleston and
Virtually via Video Conference
Cost: Free
Speakers:
  • Ashton Bias – Board of Law Examiners (WVBLE)
  • Mary Jane Pickens – State Bar (WVSB)
  • Andrea Hinerman and Lauren Hall – Office of Disciplinary Counsel (ODC)
  • Robert Albury and Stephanne Thornton– WV Judicial & Lawyer Assistance Program (WVJLAP)



A light lunch will be provided for those who register in advance to attend the in-person program.

Facility Details:  Due to limited capacity for live attendance at the State Bar Center, live registration is limited to the first 35 registrants. Attendance via webinar is also limited to the first 500 registrants. 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.


July 18, 2023 - 9:00 a.m. to Noon
Law Office Management CLE -
Succession Planning and Breaking Sloppy Tech Habits  

Hosts: WV State Bar
CLE: 3 credits in ethics/law office management
Location: In-person at the State Bar Center, Lower Level Conference Room, Charleston and
Virtually via Video Conference
Cost: Free
Speaker: Mark Bassingthwaighte, Esq. ALPS Insurance Agency




Facility Details:  Due to limited capacity for live attendance at the State Bar Center, live registration is limited to the first 35 registrants. Attendance via webinar is also limited to the first 500 registrants. 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.

August 17-19, 2023
136th Annual Meeting of The West Virginia Bar Association
 
Sponsor: The West Virginia Bar Association
Location: The Greenbrier Resort, White Sulphur Springs, WV
CLE:  8.6 credits including 1 credit in Legal Ethics
Cost: See registration link

Conference registration closes on Wednesday, August 9, 2023 at midnight


A block of room at the Greenbrier Resort has been reserved for overnight rates start at $329 per room, per night plus applicable taxes and fees. Discounted rates are available Thursday, August 17, 2023 through Sunday, August 20, 2023. The reservation deadline is Tuesday, July 18, 2023

Contact Lindsey Scripture with questions at director@wvbarassociation.org
The West Virginia State Bar
www.wvbar.org
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