Bar Blast – August 11, 2020

August 11, 2020

TUESDAY LEGAL CONNECT

The State Bar is in need of volunteer attorneys on Tuesday evenings In August 2020 to field legal questions from the public as part of the “Tuesday Legal Connect” program. Volunteers from anywhere in the state can now work remotely from their home, office etc. All you need is a telephone! Due to the Covid 19 pandemic, this system has been in use for many months now and has been a great success!

If you would be interested in helping in August, please email David Frercks at dfrercks@lawv.net as soon as possible.

News

WVU LAW LIBRARY SERVICES DURING COVID-19 CLOSURE

The George R. Farmer, Jr. Law Library is currently closed to in-person visits by public patrons, including attorneys. However, we are pleased to continue providing the same library services to attorneys remotely, including document delivery and reference services. Librarians are available by email, phone, or video conference. Please direct all inquiries to attyservices@mail.wvu.edu. More information about the law library’s services for West Virginia attorneys is available at libguides.wvu.edu/law/attorneyservices.

ADDITIONAL REPORTING REQUIREMENT

ON SUCCESSION PLANNING FOR

FISCAL YEAR 2020-21

State Bar Administrative Rule 14 – Succession Planning – became effective on January 1, 2020. The new Rule requires all sole practitioner Bar members to designate if they have a succession plan. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Rule could not be fully implemented before the 2020-21 reporting/fiscal year. When renewing your membership with the State Bar in 2020-21, you must answer the “Succession Planning” question in the compliance section of your renewal application. Additional requirements will be announced as the is Rule is implemented. NOTE: Firm Administrators in firms with 5 or more members, do not have to complete the Succession Planning requirement.

The Bar anticipates that the requirements of Administrative Rule 14 will be fully implemented in the 2021-22 reporting period. Announcement(s) regarding the implementation of the requirements will be posted, during the next several months, on the Bar’s website and in the Bar Blast.

Click here for Rule 14

KELLER NOTICE TO STATE BAR MEMBERS

The time schedule to follow on Keller issues is available on the State Bar’s website – Keller Notice . If any member has questions concerning this matter, please contact Anita Casey at The West Virginia State Bar at 304-553-7228 or by email at caseya@wvbar.org.

Challenges should be directed to Executive Director Anita Casey and may be submitted by mail [mailing address: 2000 Deitrick Blvd, Charleston, WV 25311] or email [caseya@wvbar.org].

Events

THE SUPREME COURT OF APPEALS OF WEST VIRGINIA’S

COURTPLUS ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM TRAINING

The Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia is pleased to announce that Pocahontas and Greenbrier counties will be the next to join the WV E-File/CourtPLUS system. Attorneys and staff are invited to join one of the training seminars listed below. Attorneys will be granted 1.0 Ethics/Office Management CLE credits upon completion of the online course.

Please Note: Training sessions are online webinars only.

CLICK HERE to register for Wednesday, August 12, 10:00 – 11:00 AM

CLICK HERE to register for Thursday, August 20, 2:00 – 3:00 PM

CLICK HERE to register for Tuesday, September 1, 2:00 – 3:00 PM

CLICK HERE to register for Thursday, September 3, 10:00 – 11:00 AM

Video Conference Information:

If you wish to participate by Video Conference Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android: https://zoom.us/j/3045537225; or

To join audio by phone:

Dial: 1-646-558-8656 Meeting ID: 304-553-7225

For more information and documentation on WV E-File/CourtPLUS

visit the Supreme Court of Appeals website at http://www.courtswv.gov/e-file/index.html

September 10, 2020

FAMILY LAW CLE

Note: Rescheduled from June 18, 2020

Host: Kanawha County Family Law Bench Bar Committee

Location: Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center

CLE: 8.9 credits – including 1.1 credits in law office management

Given the ever changing nature of the COVID-19 pandemic and depending on the circumstances prior to the CLE, some additional protective measures may be taken, possibly including the following:

Some or all speakers may appear virtually (i.e. Skype or Zoom).
The conference may be held virtually.

All registered attendees will be notified via e-mail regarding any

changes to the program or format. If you have questions, please contact Lyne Ranson at Lyne@lyneranson.com

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

September 16, 2020 – Webinar

9:00 a.m. to noon

CONSUMER, DATA BREACH, AND PRIVACY LAW IN WV

CLAIMS – DEFENSES – RESOLUTION

Location: Live Webinar

Speakers:

Troy N. Giatras, Esq. The Giatras Law Firm
M. David Griffith, Jr., Esq., Thomas, Combs & Spann, PLLC
Matthew Stonestreet, Esq., The Giatras Laws Firm
Edward “Edd” D. McDevitt, Esq.

CLE: 3.0 general credits

Click here for Webinar Topics

Click here for Speaker Information

Click here to register

CLE Announcements

Important Reminders Concerning CLE Reporting

Periods and Requirements

The 2018-2020 reporting period has been extended to September 30, 2020. All CLE must be completed and reported by that date.
The reporting period for 2020-2022 begins on July 1, 2020. The extension of the 2018-2020 reporting period does not affect the start date of the 2020-2022 reporting period.
Attorneys who are in compliance for the 2018-2020 reporting period by June 30, 2020 should begin reporting any CLE credits completed after July 1, 2020 to the 2020-2022 reporting period.
Attorneys who are not in compliance for the 2018-2020 reporting period should continue to report credits to the 2018-2020 reporting period until such time as you are in compliance. You need a minimum of 24 credits, including at least 3 in legal ethics/law office mgmt./attorney well-being/elimination of bias in the legal profession. Any credits completed after you are in compliance for the 2018-2020 reporting period and after July 1, 2020 should be reported to the 2020-2022 reporting period.
If you exceed the minimum CLE requirements for the 2018-2020 reporting period, a maximum of 6 general credits are carried over to the 2020-2022 reporting period. Credits in the ethics categories do not carryover.
Course credits cannot be split between reporting periods.
Please check your CLE transcripts for accuracy and for pending CLE credits submitted by CLE sponsors that require your confirmation. Credits are not included in your CLE total until they are confirmed and added to your CLE transcript.