The State Bar is updating the Practice Handbook Chapters, which are located on the YLS website (http://www.wvyounglawyers.com/handbook.html) and is requesting volunteers to either update existing handbook chapters or author needed chapters as follows:

Update Volunteer Needed for:

Chapter 2 – Administrative Law
Chapter 9 – Collections
Chapter 14 – Environmental Law
Chapter 15 – Extraordinary Remedies
Chapter 18 – Federal Tax Consideration in Choosing Business Entity
Chapter 22 – Magistrate Court Practice
Chapter 25 – Municipal Law
Chapter 29 – WV Public Defender
Chapter 30 – Labor and Employment Law
Chapter 31 – Public Service Commission
Chapter 32 – Real Estate Transactions
Chapter 38 – Workers’ Comp

Author Needed for New Chapter:

Chapter 4 – Bankruptcy
Chapter 27 – Partnership Law and Taxation

Please consider helping the State Bar and lawyers throughout the State by volunteering.  Contact Shannon Smith (ssmith@kaycasto.com) and Jamie O’Brien (william.obrien@steptoe-johnson.com).

As of June 1, 2013 the West Virginia State Bar has transitioned its membership login website to www.mywvbar.org. All members must create a new password so they can obtain access to the new “Membership Portal”. The Membership Portal is a one stop website where you can change your contact information, submit annual reporting information, pay membership fees, request a change of status and many more features that will support our members more effectively.

How to create a new password:
1. Go to www.mywvbar.org
2. Click on “Request a new password”
3. Check your email inbox or junk email folder for an email from “support@wvbar.org”
4. Click on the link inside of the email to set a new password

If you have any issues creating a password please make sure your email provider is not blocking support@wvbar.org.

Members of the West Virginia Bar recently elected four attorneys to serve on Legal Aid of West Virginia’s Board of Directors:

• Bader C. Giggenbach, Esq., of Monongalia County
• Robert J. Gaudio, Esq., of Ohio County
• Roger D. Forman, Esq., of Pocahontas County
• Anthony Spenia, Esq., of Cabell County

New members were seated at Legal Aid’s May 17, 2013, Board meeting; each member will serve a three-year term.  Legal Aid of West Virginia is a statewide organization providing free civil legal services for the state’s poorest, most vulnerable citizens.  Its board is comprised of appointed members from local and state bars and other legal organizations, as well as elected members from 9 state regions.

Legal Aid also bids a fond farewell to three attorney Board members who have completed terms and will be rotating off the Board:  Tom White of Greenbrier County; Harry Montoro of Monongalia County; and David Lockwood of Cabell County.  At the May Board meeting, Mr. Lockwood received special thanks and commendation from his peers for his service, which included several three-year terms.

Legal Food Frenzy was started in a Martinsburg Law Office in 2011 to generate friendly competition with other firms in Berkeley County to see which firm could raise the most food for the local food pantry.  This year we are taking Legal Food Frenzy statewide – that is where your firm can help. We are asking attorneys to bring in food and set up space in their lobby (be a host) for the community to drop off nonperishable items.  If you decided to participate, you will receive a flyer template that you can print and hang in your local community.  I am currently creating a website where your firm logo and info will appear.  The State Journal has offered to publish info regarding the food drive and I will also be contacting all local media.  Legal Food Frenzy starts on June 17, 2013 and ends on July 1, 2013.  We hope you will join us to help provide food for children who are out of school and depend on the pantries this time of year!  For more information please contact tacayton@wvlawyers.com

The Young Lawyer’s Executive Committee currently has a vacancy in District 12 (Braxton, Pendleton, Pocahontas, Randolph and Webster Counties).  If you are a young lawyer who is interested in serving on the YLS Committee, or if you know a young lawyer who would be a perfect candidate, please contact Jacqueline L. Sikora at jacqueline.sikora@courtswv.gov or 304-291-7265.  All members in good standing with the Bar who have been sworn to practice before the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals and who are 35 years of age or under, or members admitted to practice ten years or less prior to the State Bar’s annual meeting, are considered “young lawyers.”  All nominees must have their principle office located in one of the District 12 counties.