Lawyer Referral Service Upgrade

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The West Virginia State Bar Lawyer Referral Service was recently upgraded to a new system. Clients seeking attorneys now have the ability to request a consultation or find contact information for an attorney at www.wvlawyerreferral.org. The new system allows registered attorneys the ability to track their incoming referrals using www.wvlawyerreferral.org. To sign up as an attorney on the lawyer referral service go to https://www.mywvbar.org/members/profile and select “Yes” in the Lawyer Referral Service Section register while reporting your FRD & IOLTA information.

The Supreme Court of Appeals is Requesting Comment on Proposed Revisions to the Governance Documents for the West Virginia State Bar

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The Supreme Court of Appeals is Requesting Comment on Proposed Revisions to the Governance Documents for the West Virginia State Bar – the proposed revisions are set forth in the Court’s order. Click Here to view the proposed revisions. 

Highlights of Proposed Revisions are –

Constitution – Archaic provisions are eliminated and changes to membership article in accordance with modern practice

Definition of the Practice of Law –Archaic provisions eliminated

Bylaws

High-level governance with most administrative detail moved to rules

Provides greater flexibility to the Bar

Clearer definition of membership classes

Greater detail on suspended members

Greater detail on resigned members

Grants Board the authority to set fees (other than annual dues)

Clarifies that Immediate Past President is Board member

Expands Board term to four years beginning 2019, thereby fostering a continuation of expertise; election cycle expanded to four years, thereby evening out number of new Board members coming onboard each year

State Bar Districts remain unchanged

Clarifies election of Vice-President

Unlawful Practice Committee revised in accordance with recent case law

Sets authority for State Bar Administrative Rules

New article on communication with Bar

New article on legal practice entities

New article on JLAP

New article on Young Lawyer Section

State Bar Administrative Rules

Clarifies membership register and obligation to maintain current information

Defines how membership information may be used and member opt-out options

Provides detail on firm administrators

Provides flexibility in the methods for payment of membership fees

Provides a ceiling for meaningful late fees

Clarifies how sanctions for nonpayment affect membership classes

Updates paper ballot election process in accordance with modern practice

Integrates and reconciles three different MCLE governance documents

Updates Bridge-the-Gap program in accordance with recent YLS proposal

Allows CLE credit for certified pro bono service for specified entities

Sets forth a new procedure for Unlawful Practice Committee proceedings in accordance with recent case law in order to preserve the State Bar’s antitrust immunity

Updates the Emeritus Attorneys’ Pro Bono Participation Program

Incorporates the existing stand-alone rule for the WVJLAP

Sets forth a new IOLTA distribution protocol as recommended by the IOLTA Advisory Committee

Provides a method in two new rules for the State Bar to pre-certify legal practice entities

Sets forth a new rule detailing the Young Lawyer Section

Sets forth a new rule related to succession planning for sole practitioners

In Memory of 2018-19

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It is with sorrow that The West Virginia State Bar recognizes the death of the members of the State Bar since the last Annual Meeting.

 

William Rankin Craig, Charlotte, NC
James T. Dailey, Jr., Kingwood
Linda Wichman Hager, Barboursville
Michael Paesani, Proctorville, OH
Charles Arthur Rea, Nicholasville, KY
Donald E. Santee, San Antonio, TX
Kenneth C. Tallman, Charleston
William W. Upton, Charleston

 

 

June 19, 2018

Bar Blast – April 24, 2018

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April 24, 2018
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News

Updated Contact Information
The State Bar annual orange postcard regarding membership fees will be mailed on June 13, 2018 for the July 1, 2018-June 30, 2019 fiscal year. Please be sure to log into the membership portal and verify your contact information by June 1.

Volunteers needed for Tuesday Legal Connect
The Elkins Legal Aid of West Virginia office will be sponsoring the May 2018 sessions of Tuesday Night Legal Connect.  Contact Carmen Howell if you are interested in volunteering at 304-635-7600 X2410

NEW on Westlaw: West Virginia Pattern Jury Instructions for Civil Cases

The full text of West Virginia Pattern Jury Instructions for Civil Cases is now available on Westlaw. With Westlaw access you can conveniently integrate this valuable resource with your trial preparation and research workflows to increase ease of use and efficiency.
A few printed copies of the Patten Jury Instructions for Civil Cases in West Virginia are available.
There are no current plans to offer the pattern jury instructions in print once this inventory is depleted.

To order you printed set online, click here

For more information, contact your Westlaw representative: Contact Sales

MCLE Reminder for the July 1, 2016-June 30, 2018 Reporting Period
The July 1, 2016 – June 30, 2018 reporting period ends June 30, 2018.  The filing deadline is July 31, 2018.  Please login to the member portal at www.mywvbar.org and go to My Transcript to view the credits reported, and to confirm, edit, or delete any pending submissions from the sponsor reporting.  Credits filed August 1, 2018 or later will require a $50 late filing fee.  Active attorneys are required a total of 24 credits, including at least 3 in legal ethics, law office management, substance abuse or elimination of bias.  Newly admitted attorneys admitted between July 1, 2016 – June 30, 2017 are required 12 total credits, including at least 3 in legal ethics, law office management, substance abuse or elimination of bias.  Attorneys admitted on or after July 1, 2017 are exempt for the July 1, 2016 – June 30, 2018 reporting period.

Public Comment

Request for Public Comment on Legal Ethics Opinion
The following L.E.O. was approved for publication for public comment at the January 26, 2018 meeting of the Lawyer Disciplinary Board. Please submit your comments by May 15, 2018. Please send them to: L.E.O. Public Comments, Office of Disciplinary Counsel, 4700 MacCorkle Avenue SE, Suite 1200C, Charleston, WV  25304. Click here for a copy of the opinion.

Request for Public Comment on Proposed Rule Amendment 
The Court is considering an amendment to Rule 38 of the Rules of Appellate Procedure regarding the placement of citations in documents filed with the Court. Click here to view the proposed rule amendment.

Upcoming Events

April 19, 2018 5:00 PM
Government Lawyers Reception
All West Virginia lawyers are invited to an April Fiesta Government Lawyers Reception to be held at the offices of Pullin, Fowler, Flanagan, Brown and Poe, 901 Quarrier Street, Charleston on April 19th, beginning at 5 p.m. and ending at 7:30 p.m. There will be an Art Walk in Charleston that evening and the Government Lawyers Committee is holding the Reception to correspond with Art Walk. Artwork by West Virginia attorneys may be displayed. The Committee is still working on the logistics. The Reception will provide a Taco Feast, Sangria and beer and the fabulous musical stylings of the St. Marks Steel Drums. All West Virginia lawyers are invited!
Contact Barb Baxter at barb.l.baxter@wv.gov with any questions.

April 20, 2018 8:30-5:00
Family Law CLE
Host:
Kanawha County Family Law Bench-Bar Committee
Location: India Center in Southridge
Please email Lyne Ranson at lyne@lyneranson.com with any questions.
Click here for the schedule and registration form.

April 24, 2018 12:00-2:00
Free and Live
Government Lawyers CLE Seminar 2-Hours general credit
Host:
Government Lawyers Committee
Location:
Via video conference only
Click here to register

April 26, 2018 6:00 PM
20th Bar Foundation Fellows Dinner
Host: WV Bar Foundation
Location: Charleston Marriott Hotel, Charleston WV
For more information, click here
Please contact Tom Tinder to make your reservations–304-343-9823, tom@wvbarfoundation.org or WV Bar Foundation, P.O. Box 4845, Charleston, WV 25364.

May 4, 2018 9:00-4:00
Defending Parents Charged With Abuse and Neglect
6.6 Hours CLE Credit
Location: Cabell County Courthouse Huntington, WV
 
Contact Pam Clark at pam.r.clark@wv.gov with questions.

May 17, 2018 8:45-5:00
Finance and Estate Planning Seminar
Host: WV Bankers Association, WV Society of CPAs, The WV State Bar Probate Law Committee
Location: Edgewood Country Club, Charleston, WV
Click here to register
Click here for a copy of the agenda
Click here to view the event brochure

Save the Date: May 18, 2018 8:30-4:00
Mountain State Bar Association Annual CLE
6 Hours CLE Credit
Location: Clarion Hotel and Conference Center, Shepherdstown, WV
 
Contact Cheryl Henderson at 304-523-5732 with questions.
Click here for event registration brochure.

May 18, 2018 9:00-4:00
Defending the Rights of your Intellectually Disabled Client
6.6 Hours CLE Credit
Host: Public Defender Services
Location: Voter’s Registration Office at 415 Quarrier Street Charleston, WV
 
Contact Pam Clark at pam.r.clark@wv.gov with questions.
Click here to register

May 18-20, 2018
7th Lawyer Leadership Institute
Host: West Virginia Bar Foundation
Location: Stonewall Resort
 
Click here for more information

May 23, 2018 10:00-1:00
Free and Live
Marijuana Law Webinar
3 CLE Credit Hours (general)
Location:
State Bar Center, Charleston, WV and broadcast statewide online via video conference

Save the Date: May 31-June 1, 2018
Regional Rural Juvenile Training Immersion Program
Host: Mid-Atlantic Juvenile Defender Center
Location:
Shepherd University, Shepherdstown, WV
Click here to register

June 13-14, 2018
Basic Mediation Training
Host: State Bar ADR Committee
Location:

 Days Inn and Suites, Flatwoods

Approved for 16.5 CLE credits including 1.0 in Ethics
A block of hotel rooms has been reserved at a discounted rate ($89.99) for the event. In order to receive the discounted rate, inform the hotel that you are attending the WV State Bar’s event when making your reservation. Contact Cathy Shuman at 866-700-7284 X101 to reserve your room
For more information and to register for the event, click
here. Click here for a copy of the agenda.
THIS TRAINING IS OFFERED EVERY OTHER YEAR SO THE NEXT TRAINING WILL NOT BE UNTIL 2020. 

Save the Date: June 14-15, 2018
2018 Annual Indigent Defense Conference
Host: Public Defender Services
Location: Stonewall Resort, Roanoke, WV

Save the Date: June 28, 2018
8:30-4:30
Hot Topics for Government Lawyers
Host: Government Lawyers Committee
Location: West Virginia House of Delegates Chamber* State Capitol Complex, Charleston, WV
*In the event the Legislature is in session, the seminar will be held in the Capitol Room of the State Training Center.
Contact Martha Hill at martha.j.hill@wv.gov with any questions.
Click here to register

Save the Date: July 11, 2018
Advanced Mediation Training
Host: State Bar ADR Committee
Location: Bridgeport Conference Center

*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.