December 19, 2023

"Tuesday Legal Connect"

Earn FREE CLE Credit Providing Legal Information By Phone!

The State Bar needs volunteer attorneys each Tuesday evening in January from 6-8 p.m. to field legal questions from the public and provide legal information ONLY 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.

This a great opportunity for solo practitioners, small and medium size law firms (adopt a night), and for those in corporate or government jobs!

Volunteers will receive 1 free pro-bono CLE credit for each two-hour shift completed. The more evenings you volunteer, the more CLE credits you can earn!

If you would be interested in helping in January, please email Carmen Howell as soon as possible at chowell@lawv.net

Request for Public Comment on proposed amendments to Rules 29.07, 29.08, 29.09, and 29.10 of the

West Virginia Trial Court Rules (Business Court Rules)

Public comments are sought on proposed amendments to Rules 29.07, 29.08, 29.09, and 29.10 of the West Virginia Trial Court Rules (Business Court Rules). The proposed amendments would clarify that business court judges may hold hearings and trials in any county in the state if agreed to by all parties and the presiding judge. The proposed amendments would further allow for arbitration as an alternative dispute resolution in business court cases.

All comments must be filed in writing with the Clerk of Court through File & ServeXpress in No. 22-701 no later than December 22, 2023. 

Click Here to View the Order

9^th Judicial Circuit Court Vacancy

The Judicial Vacancy Advisory Commission is currently receiving applications to fill the judicial vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Derek C. Swope in the 9th Judicial Circuit Court serving Mercer County. Candidates must submit their completed applications and letters of recommendation or comment no later than 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 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 Friday, January 5, 2024.  

Click Here for the Application and Instructions

WVU Law Registering Employers for On-Campus Interviews

Saturday, January 27, 2024

Join many of West Virginia’s top private firms and public offices in recruiting talent right here at the College of Law! You can also sign up for our Resume Collection service, to interview candidates at a time and location of your choosing.

To participate, private sector employers must offer paid compensation to summer interns/clerks. While paid employment is always more attractive to students, public sector employers may post volunteer legal intern positions or allow students work for academic credit as part of a recognized externship with the College of Law.

Click Here to Register Your Participation

If you have questions or would like additional information, please contact Brad Grimes, Assistant Director of Career Services for the College of Law, at (304) 293-7750 or at https://tgrimes@mail.wvu.edu. 

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.

PHV Annual Renewal Fees

How are the annual fees calculated and when does the attorney pay the annual renewal fee?

When an attorney is admitted pro hac vice in a WV civil action, the attorney must pay a fee of $350 to the WV State Bar pursuant to Rule 8 of the WV Rules for Admission to the Practice of Law. A separate fee must be paid for each civil action for which the attorney requests admission. In addition, if the attorney has been admitted for one year or more in one or more civil actions, the attorney must pay an annual fee of three hundred-fifty ($350) in addition to the application fee. The annual fee is charged per lawyer, not per civil action.

For example, if the attorney is admitted in one case on June 19, 2019, the attorney pays the initial $350 PHV admission fee. If that same attorney requests admission in 10 news cases on May 1, 2020, the attorney must pay the initial $350 PHV admission fee per civil action for a total of $3,500. The attorney must then pay one annual renewal fee of $350 by June 19, 2020. The oldest case (June 19, 2019) is the attorney’s annual renewal date and will trigger the annual fee notice. Even if the June 19, 2019 case settles or the attorney withdraws from the case, the June 19, 2019 case remains the oldest case in which the attorney requested and received admission and is still the attorney’s annual renewal date as long as the attorney is admitted PHV in any open civil action.  

The State Bar will send notice in advance of the due date for the annual fee, and will provide notice of the date when the annual fee will become delinquent. Failure to pay the annual fee within thirty days of the due date will result in termination of the attorney’s right to practice law in WV.

Events

SAVE THE DATE

February 20, 2024

Civil Legal Issues in Reentry

Host: WV State Bar Minority Lawyers Committee

CLE: Credits Pending

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

Registration opens soon

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 February 1, 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.