The State Bar Membership Portal (www.mywvbar.org) will be unavailable due to scheduled maintenance on January 16th, 2017 from 10am-6pm. Access to all other State Bar websites will not be impacted.
New Version of Fastcase Available
The West Virginia State Bar is proud to announce that Fastcase 7 is now available to all members. New features include searching across all source types, improved Forecite, bottomless search results, and more. Members still have access to the “classical” version of Fastcase. Go to http://bit.ly/2d0eAC7
An Administrative Order was entered by Chief Justice Loughry establishing seven percent 7.00% as the rate of interest for calendar year 2017 for judgments and decrees entered on or after January 1, 2017.
The Access to Justice Commission of the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia, the West Virginia State Bar, the West Virginia University College of Law, and Legal Aid of West Virginia have been working with the American Bar Association to identify barriers experienced by West Virginians in the civil justice system. These four groups are working together to evaluate and foster development of pro bono service efforts in our State. Recognizing that lawyers often provide legal assistance at little, or no, charge, we would like to hear from you about your pro bono experiences and obtain your thoughts on pro bono service. Your responses will enable us to identify strategies for expanding pro bono legal services in our State.
Veterans Legal Assistance – Lawyer Referral Service
The Veterans and Military Affairs Committee is looking for practitioners who are interested in being included in the Bar’s online Lawyer Referral Service on matters included under the general topic of “Veterans’ Legal Assistance.” If you would like to be included, please click here to register. If you have questions, or would like more information, please contact Committee Co-Chairperson Lew Brewer at (321) 543-3936 or Rbtr8or@outlook.com.
Parkersburg is hosting TLC each Tuesday
in March 2017
Tuesday Legal Connect (TLC) takes place every Tuesday from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. We need 3 pro bono attorneys on each Tuesday in March to take phone calls from the general public about basic legal issues and give out general legal information (not advice or representation) for which you get pro bono hours. We provide dinner and brief training on how the program runs, and what to expect thirty minutes prior to phones starting to ring at 6:00 so you will be prepared.
Please come to 327 Ninth Street, Parkersburg, WV where Legal Aid of West Virginia is hosting Tuesday Legal Connect. Please Call (304-485-7522 x 2914) or email (vbeam@lawv.net) to sign up.
Notice of Proposed Amendments to the Local Rules for Civil Procedure Opportunity for Public Comment
The United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia has completed a draft of proposed amendments to the Local Rules of Civil Procedure. A redline version and related documents have been published on the Court’s website at www.wvsd.uscourts.gov. The Court invites your comments through Monday, January 23, 2017. Please be advised that following a review of all comments received, the Court anticipates adoption of the proposed rules with an effective date of February 1, 2017. Note: Proposed Revisions to the Criminal Rules are being developed but will be published for comment at a later time.
Please send your specific comments, concerns or suggestions, along with your name, e-mail address and telephone number, to Teresa L. Deppner, Clerk of the U. S. District Court, at terry_deppner@wvsd.uscourts.gov, or in writing to Post Office Box 2546, Charleston, WV 25329.
Upcoming Events
January 12, 2017 – Registration Closes at 3pm Today
West Virginia Working Together Conference
Materials will be emailed to all registrants Wednesday January 11th before noon.
Location: University of Charleston – Geary Student Union
Sponsor: West Virginia Public Accountants Association, West Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants, West Virginia Tax Institute, West Virginia State Tax Department, The West Virginia State Bar and The Internal Revenue Service
Legal Research in the 21st Century – Christina Steinbrecker Jack, Fastcase
Reflecting on Environmental Enforcement: The Advent of Mega Cases – John Cruden, Former Assistant Attorney General US Environment and Natural Resources Division
An update from the ABA – Linda Klein, President of the American Bar Association
Criminal Law – Professor Douglas Berman, Professor – Moritz College of Law, The Ohio State University
An Introduction to the New Era of Lawyer Assistance Program – Robert Albury, Jr, Director WV Lawyer Assistance Program
A Panel Discussion of Practicing Law in WV from the perspective of Women Attorneys – Judge Stephanie Thacker, United States Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals; Justice Elizabeth Walker, Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia; Cheryle Hall, West Virginia Court of Claims; Dina M. Mohler, Office of General Counsel, Charleston Area Medical Center