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Bar Blast – September 29, 2020

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September 29, 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.
 
 
 
Free CLE Seminars:
16 seminars for a total of 36 online A/V credits are available if you watch all of the seminars.  Click here to see complete list of available recorded CLE credits
 
 
THE 2020 WV STATE BAR REGIONAL MEETINGS HAVE BEEN COMBINED INTO A SINGLE MEETING/WEBINAR
October 9, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
 
Speakers & Topics:
  • WV Supreme Court Justices – What Your Justices Want You to Know: Practice, Process and Professionalism
  • Ashley Hardesty Odell, Esq.- Combatting Implicit Bias
  • Rachael Fletcher Cipoletti, Esq.- Ethics Update from the Office of Disciplinary Counsel
 
3 CLE credits in ethics, law office management, and elimination of bias.
 
Cost: FREE
 
 
 
News
 
Opening on Workers’ Compensation Board of Review
The Workers’ Compensation Board of Review Nominating Committee is accepting letters of interest for
an opening on the Board of Review. The six-year term will begin January 1, 2021. Letters of interest
should identify the political party and county of residence and provide supporting documents, including
letters of reference. Letters of interest are to be mailed to Anita R. Casey, Executive Director, West
Virginia State Bar, 2000 Deitrick Boulevard, Charleston, West Virginia 25311 and have a postmark date
on or before WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2020 or emailed to caseya@wvbar.org by 11:59 p.m. on
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14, 2020. To review the legal authority, purpose, seat restrictions,
compensation, and other information on the Board of Review click here. To review the applicable code
section click here
Questions may be directed to Brian Abraham at 304-558-2000.
 
The Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia
Staff Attorney Announcement
 
Justice Beth Walker of the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia is accepting applications for a term Staff Attorney (Law Clerk) beginning August 1, 2021. Click here for more information
 
West Virginia Courts Transition to Microsoft Teams for
Remote Hearings and Proceedings
 
West Virginia courts are transitioning from Skype for Business to Microsoft Teams over the next two months. Below is information to assist you with participating in remote hearings and proceedings scheduled by the courts during the transition.
 
  • Until October 31, 2020, courts will have the ability to schedule with both Skype for Business and Microsoft Teams.
  • After this date, all new remote hearings will be scheduled in Microsoft Teams.
  • Any Skype for Business meeting scheduled before October 31, 2020 will continue to function as expected after this deadline.
  • You can join on the Web without downloading special software, however, you can also join via the Teams app, if available.
  • The Teams app is available for smart phones, tablets, and other mobile devices, and the app simplifies participation on these devices.
  • A Microsoft Teams Quick Guide for Participants is available on the West Virginia Judiciary website. Click on the Remote Hearing Information link under the Lower Courts section of the Home Page.
 
 
TUESDAY LEGAL CONNECT
The State Bar is in need of volunteer attorneys on Tuesday evenings, during October and December 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 the volunteer needs is a telephone and computer/tablet etc. If you would be interested in helping in October or December, please email David Frercks as soon as possible. 
 
 
FASTCASE – Free Training
Throughout September and October, the Fastcase outreach team will be hosting free live training sessions each Wednesday at 2:00 PM EST. Join a guided walk-through of the new Fastcase, as outreach explains new features, layouts, and search basics compared to Fastcase 6. Also newly available in Fastcase 7 is the ability to directly print a document from your browser, without downloading it. Click here to register
 
At Fastcase we’re proud to provide industry-leading customer support. Click here for the Support & Tutorials page to learn how to conduct better legal research with video tutorials and reference guides, or live-chat with one of our expert reference attorneys for real-time assistance. 
 
Requests for Public Comment
 
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.
 
Request for Public Comment on Proposed Amendments to the
Rules of Appellate Procedure
 
By order entered on September 17, 2020, the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia published for comment amendments to Rules 19 and 20 the Rules of Appellate Procedure. The proposed amendments would give the guardian ad litem in a case time to present oral argument separate from the time allotted to the petitioner and respondent. The Court also considered amendments to Rule 7, requiring the Appendix Record in an electronic format. The public comment period closes on October 30, 2020. Comments are to be filed in writing with the Clerk.
 
Events
 
October 8-9, 2020 – Live Webinar
First Annual Estate Planning Institute
 
Host: West Virginia Continuing Legal Education
Location:  Live Webinar
Time: October 8, 2020 – 12:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
October 9, 2020 – 1230 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Cost: $250.00
CLE:  7.2 credits including .6 in ethics
 
Contact Lauren McCartney at lauren.mccartney@mail.wvu.edu with questions
 
 
October 23, 2020
12:00 Noon to 1:00 PM
Lunch and Laughs With Legal Legends
Charity Roast of retired WVU College of Law Assistant Dean for Career Services, Ellie Flowers, and Judge Ed Flowers, top state government official, WV Supreme Court Justice, U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge and WVU Vice President.
 
Host: WV Bar Foundation
Location: Zoom Video Conference
Cost: $50 Charitable Donation
 
 
CLE Announcements
 
Important Reminders Concerning CLE Reporting
Periods and Requirements 
 
  • The 2018-2020 reporting period has been extended to September 30, 2020. All CLEs 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.
 
 
The West Virginia State Bar
www.wvbar.org
 
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