Bar Blast – September 15, 2020

WV STATE BAR OFFICE ACCESS DURING COVID-19

 

The Bar Center will remain closed through the end of the year for all in-person access. Bar members will not be allowed in the Bar Center to pay membership dues, complete reporting requirements, or report CLE credits. Bar Members are directed to complete the same via their membership portals. Bar staff will remain available, via telephone or email, during normal operating hours to answer questions. The Bar can be reached by calling 304-553-7220.

CLE REPORTING DEADLINE – FINAL NOTICE

 

The 2018-2020 CLE reporting period ends on September 30, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. No further extensions will be given for this reporting period. You will be required to pay a $50 late fee before any credits can be reported after October 1, 2020. Suspension procedures will commence on that date for CLE noncompliance.

REQUEST FOR PUBLIC COMMENT ON PROPOSED AMENDMENTS

TO RULE 14 OF THE STATE BAR ADMINISTRATIVE RULES

 

By order entered on August 13, 2020, the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals approved a request for public comment on proposed amendments to Rule 14, Succession Planning, of the West Virginia State Bar Administrative Rules. The amendments would expand the requirements under the Rule from solo practitioners to include law firms or legal entities of five or fewer lawyers. Comments must be filed in writing with the Clerk of the Court on or before September 18, 2020.

PUBLIC NOTICE

FOR REAPPOINTMENT OF INCUMBENT MAGISTRATE JUDGE

The current term of office of United States Magistrate Judge Dwane L. Tinsley, at Charleston, West Virginia, is due to expire on April 7, 2021. The United States District Court is required by law to establish a panel of citizens to consider the reappointment of the magistrate judge to a new eight-year term.

The duties of a magistrate judge in this district include the following: (1) conducting most preliminary proceedings in criminal cases; (2) trial and disposition of misdemeanor cases; (3) conducting various pretrial matters and evidentiary proceedings on referral from the judges of the district court; and (4) conducting trial and disposition of civil cases upon consent of the litigants.

Comments are invited from members of the bar and the public as to whether the incumbent magistrate judge should be recommended by the panel for reappointment by the court. Comments should be directed to:

Thomas A. Heywood, Chairman

Bowles Rice LLP

PO Box 1386

Charleston, WV 25325

Comments must be received by October 9, 2020.