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Bar Blast -July 28, 2020

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JULY 28, 2020
 
 
State Bar Statement on Social Justice
Recorded Online Video CLE – 
Free Credits available
14 seminars for a total of 31.5 online A/V credits are available if you watch all of the seminars.  Click here to see complete list of available recorded CLE credits
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Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Webinars
First in a series of Webinars entitled 
“Culturally Courageous Conversation”
 
Title:  Disrupting Bias: How Implicit Bias Can Impact the Practice of Law
 
Presented by:  Meshea L. Poore, Esq., Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at West Virginia University and Former WV State Bar President (2018-2019)
 
Join us on Thursday, July 30th at 10:00 a.m. for an implicit bias training meant to help those within the practice of law understand and minimize the role of unconscious bias through education and discussion. This training will assist in strategically teaching those in the legal profession how to recognize and manage their biases to ensure a growing profession that is diverse, inclusive and just.
 
CLE:  1.5 credits in Elimination of Bias
Registration will be capped at 980 participants.
NEWS
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. 
Raleigh County Case Management System
Due to data limitations of Raleigh County’s former Circuit & Family Court case management system, many attorneys were not properly related to their parties. This deficiency affected case file data in the new CourtPLUS case management system.  Therefore, attorneys with cases in Raleigh County Circuit and Family courts are encouraged to e-file a Notice of Appearance into each case in which they are an attorney of record.  This will ensure that the attorney receives system notifications of filings into their Raleigh County cases.  Questions should be directed to John Street at 304-340-2940.
STATE BAR ID CARD
If you currently have a valid West Virginia Driver’s license, you may obtain your State Bar ID Card by going to this link and completing the DMV form for the State Bar ID Card. If you do not have a valid West Virginia Driver’s license, contact your local West Virginia DMV office to arrange an appointment.
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
UPDATE ON REPORTING REQUIREMENTS FOR CORPORATE ENTITIES 
State Bar Administrative Rules 11 and 12 – LCs, LLCs, PLLCs and LLPs – became effective on January 1, 2020.  The new Rules require certain reporting to the State Bar. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Rules have not been fully implemented. Comprehensive reporting requirements and processes are being developed in collaboration with the Secretary of State’s Office.
 
The Bar anticipates that the requirements of Administrative Rules 11 and 12 will be implemented before the new October 30 reporting date.  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 11
                                                          Click here for Rule 12
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].
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.
Upcoming 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 hours upon completion of the online course.
Please Note: Training sessions are online webinars only.
CLICK HERE to register for Tuesday, August 4, 10:00 – 11:00 AM
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 Date Rescheduled
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
Save the Date September 16, 2020
Consumer Issues Webinar
Location:   Live Webinar
CLE:  3.0 general credits
More information coming
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