West Virginia State Bar

Login/Create Account

Membership Directory Search
News > News > Bar Blast > Bar Blast -March 24, 2020

Bar Blast -March 24, 2020

By

 
March 24, 2020
2020 Annual Meeting
GOLD SPONSORS



BRONZE SPONSORS
 
 
Quick Links
In State 
CLE Calendar

 
Mobile App   
Download Now
 
Social Media

  Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter
 
March 24, 2020 – 9 a.m. to noon
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CLE
Free Webinar – On as scheduled
COVID-19 Information 
The State Bar is providing information and announcements as quickly as possible.  For immediate up-to-date COVID-19 announcements and preparedness resources visit the West Virginia State Bar website by  clicking here  and watch for Facebook announcements.  
Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia has issued an Administrative Order Declaring a Judicial Emergency to Reduce In-Person Proceedings 
WV Court Operations Plan
By Administrative Order of the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia on March 12, 2020, additional measures are implemented in all courts of West Virginia from Monday, March 16, 2020 through Friday, April 10, 2020. 
WV STATE BAR COVID-19 PLAN
At this time, the State Bar will continue to operate normal office hours, and provide programs as currently scheduled. However, the Bar has limited access to the Bar Center.  Before coming to the State Bar Center please call 304-553-7220.  Remote video services can be made available upon request.   Please check the State Bar’s Website and Facebook page daily for updates.   
WV Division of Corrections and 
Rehabilitation COVID-19 Policy
The WV Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation has suspended all non-lawyer visitation at all West Virginia correctional facilities.  Attorneys will still be able to visit their client in person, but will be subject to a screening process (questions and observation) to determine if they have symptoms of the Coronavirus.  Attorneys that do not want to consult or visit in person may meet with their client via video conferencing.  The attorney will need to make arrangement with the correctional facility.
WV Secretary of State COVID-19 PLAN
On March 16, 2020 Secretary of State Mac Warner issued a press release announcing changes to WVSOS Business Services during the COVID-19 precautionary period. The attached press release is effective as of March 20, 2020; however, due to continuing developments with the COVID-19 virus, the information in the press release may be changed.  Continue to check the SOS website for any update to the information continued in the attached press release.   Click here to review the Press Release
Social Security Administration COVID-19 Policy 
The Social Security Committee Chairperson has asked the Bar to share the following message:  In an effort to stop the spread of Coronavirus/ COVID – 19, the Social Security Administration, Office of Hearings Operations, Charleston, WV closed to the public on March 17, 2020 until further notice.  We will be reaching out proactively to our patrons to discuss options for continuing holding scheduled hearings.  We will be offering telephone hearings whenever possible.  We will also provide video hearings if the representative has a Representative Video Unit and we are able to continue with the hearing via video in one of our local offices.
Please contact Kathy Lytton, Hearing Office Director, with questions or concerns:  888-527-9325 ext:  21451.
How you can help lessen the impact of 
COVID 19 issue from home
ABA Free Legal Answers is an online service established by the American Bar Association geared toward expanding legal services to low income individuals. The virtual legal clinic allows users to pose questions about civil legal issues to pro bono attorneys. Earlier this month, inquiries surpassed 100,000. The timing is especially fortuitous as ABA Free Legal Answers can play a key role in providing pro bono legal services during this time of limiting personal contact.  “So many times, we find that limited scope advice can make all the difference in someone’s life,” said George T. “Buck” Lewis, founder of ABA Free Legal Answers and a shareholder at Baker Donelson in Memphis, Tenn. “For those who cannot afford an attorney and have nowhere else to turn, Free Legal Answers often serves as a critical resource for qualified legal advice.”  Users of the service must meet income eligibility guidelines applicable to each state. While expanding access to legal services, ABA Free Legal Answers also expands pro bono opportunities for attorneys in a convenient way to match their schedules.  Legal guidance is limited to non-criminal matters and takes place entirely online. The questions cover a broad range of legal issues, many of which concern children and families, housing and consumer issues. In less than four years, 41 states and more than 7,000 attorneys nationally have committed to participating in Free Legal Answers. Attorneys can volunteer their services by navigating to www.ABAFreeLegalAnswers.org and selecting “Volunteer Attorney Registration.” ABA Free Legal Answers is a project of the ABA Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service.
News/Announcements
Temporary Waiver of Online Continuing Legal Education Credit Limit
Due to concerns associated with the COVID-19 virus, the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia has granted a request from the Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Commission for a temporary waiver of current CLE rules and regulations which limit the CLE credits for online and in-house credits to 12 credits, or half of the mandatory continuing legal education requirements. Attorneys will now be able to earn all or any portion of the required 24 CLE credit minimum through video, audio, correspondence, telephone seminars, computer-based training courses and in-house instruction, so long as the courses otherwise satisfy the requirements of the CLE rules and regulations and are approved for CLE credit in West Virginia.  Several CLE providers are converting their live seminars to webinar format due to the coronavirus.  Webinars are approved as online CLE credit under the current CLE rules; therefore, they are included in this waiver.  The temporary waiver is limited to the 2018-2020 reporting period ending June 30, 2020. Please see the attached link for the full Order of the Court
Recorded Videos of State Bar Seminars 
Available for Viewing for Online Credit
Fourteen online CLE credits are currently available to attorneys through viewing recorded videos of previous State Bar seminars.  The subject matters are criminal law (2 credit), succession planning (3 credits, including 3 credits in Law Office Management), probate law(3 credits), marijuana law (3 credits, including 1/2 ethics credit), and landlord tenant law(3 credits).  Links are provided below to view the videos and to report the credits upon completion. 
Criminal Law – Click her for seminar link
Succession Planing  – Click here for seminar link 
Probate Law – Click here for seminar link
Marijuana Law – Click here for seminar link
Landlord Tenant Law – Click here for seminar link
Keep watching the West Virginia State Bar website and Facebook for updates regarding Continuing Legal Education.  The CLE Commission is meeting on March 26th.  Currently the reporting period ends on June 30, 2020. 
Let us Help YOU Submit Your CLE Credits
Tips and Step-by-Step Directions on 
How to Submit Your CLE Credits
Your CLE Reporting Period Ends on June 30, 2020.  Attached are directions for submitting your credits.  Print the attached document and use it as your CLE Reporting Guide.  If you do not submit your own CLE credits, please share this document with the individual who reports your CLE Credits.  
Court Improvement Program
MDT Project
The Court Improvement Program is deeply involved in a MDT project coordinated by Brenda Hoylman and Gabe Conley.  To date, they have spoken to stakeholders around the state that include DHHR’s local/field supervisors and probation officers.  The contacts so far have been made have been by phone, in person or a survey.  The next leg of this project is hearing from you –  the attorneys involved in JA, JS or JD cases.  As you are aware, a strong MDT is critical in organizing and providing the treatment and interventions a child(ren) and families need to be successful.   Your responses are critical  to the project and we thank you in advance for your support!  Click here to access the survey
Contact information for Gabe Conley is  304-340-2900 (office) or email Gabriel.Conley@courtswv.gov  and for Brenda Hoylman office number 304-340-2928 or email Brenda.Hoylman@courtsw.gov
Upcoming Events
POSTPONED
Bench & Bar – Past, Present & Future
The West Virginia Bar Association Executive Counsel has postponed the Bench & Bar Event.  
POSTPONED
Annual 2020 Court Improvement Program
Cross-Training Conference scheduled for 
 March and April 
The Division of Children & Juvenile Services, after conferring with the WV Supreme Court’s Administrative Office  has decided to postpone the CIP Cross Trainings scheduled  March 31 in Bridgeport; April 2 in Huntington and April 6 in Beckley. We will continue to monitor the COVID-19 Virus and adhere to recommended precautions as we move forward in rescheduling these trainings.  We apologize for the inconvenience but are respecting the information provided by the medical communities. 
West Virginia State Bar’s 2020 Annual Meeting
CANCELLED 
 
West Virginia State Bar Young Lawyers Section 
Bridge the Gap Program
CANCELLED
 
CANCELLED
The 2020 WVJLAP Annual Conference & Retreat
 
Postponed-To be Rescheduled
22nd Bar Foundation Fellows Dinner
Previously scheduled for April 23, 2020 
Save the Date – April 30, 2020 9:30 a.m.
Free SafetyWebinar
Active Shooter Training
Deputy Chief Paul Perdue, Charleston Police Department, is offering
active shooter training to all Bar members and their staff. The training session will be provided via Webinar only and is free to attend. Registration is required.
Registration coming soon
Registration cutoff is 5:00 p.m. on April 29, 2020.
May 29, 2020 8:30 a.m.
MSBA ANNUAL SEMINAR and BANQUET 
Location:  Doubletree by Hilton, Huntington, WV
Host:   Mountain State Bar Association
CLE:  7 CLE credits including 3 ethics/law office management/attorney wellbeing/ elimination of bias
Save the Date:  JUNE 17 AND 18, 2020
The West Virginia State Bar
Basic Mediation Training
Location:  Days Inn & Suites, Flatwoods, West Virginia 
Host:  State Bar ADR Committee
CLE:   16.2 CLE credits including in 1.0 Ethics
A block of rooms has been reserved at the Days Inn & Suites at the discounted rate of $97.19 plus and taxes and fees.  To receive the discounted rate, inform the hotel that you are attending the WV State Bar’s event when making your reservation.  The reservation contact number is 304-765-5055.  The cut-off date to reserve a room at the reduced rate is June 6.  Rooms go to full rate after June 6.   Click here to review agenda        
Registration coming soon.
THIS TRAINING IS OFFERED EVERY OTHER YEAR AND WILL NOT BE OFFERED AGAIN UNTIL 2022.
Save the Date:  June 18, 2020
8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
HOT TOPICS FOR GOVERNMENT LAWYERS
Location:   WV House of Delegates Chamber
  State Capitol Complex, Charleston
More information and registration coming soon.
Save the Date:  June 18, 2020
Family Law CLE
Note:  Rescheduled from April 3, 2020
Host:  Kanawha County Family Law Bench Bar Committee
Location:   Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center
CLE:    8.9 hours – including 1.1 credits in law office management.  
Early bird special  low rate extended to February 15, 2020.  Breakfast and Lunch included.    
Charleston Marriott has a block of rooms being held for the April 3 CLE at the low rate of $96 per night plus tax and fees. Rates available for April 2nd and 3rd.   CALL as soon as possible to guarantee your room.  (304)-345-6500 
Save the Date:  JULY 15, 2020
The West Virginia State Bar
ADVANCED MEDIATION TRAINING
Location:  Bridgeport Conference Center, Bridgeport, WV
Host: State Bar ADR Committee
A block of rooms has been reserved for the night of July 14 at the Bridgeport Wingate Inn at the  discounted rate of $96.00 plus taxes & fees.  To receive the discounted rate, inform the hotel that you are attending the WV State Bar’s event when making your reservation.  The reservation contact number is 304-808-1000.  The cut-off date to reserve a room at the reduced rate is July 1.  Rooms go to full rate after July 1.   
Registration coming soon.
*You are receiving this email because you have elected to receive the Bar-Blast from the WV State Bar. To change you email address or manage your email subscriptions, you must log into the Membership Portal at mywvbar.org. This mailing list is updated weekly. 

PUBLICATIONS

Bar Blast Newsletter

More

This message is only visible to admins.
Problem displaying Facebook posts.
Click to show error
Error: Server configuration issue