Bar Blast 6-11-13

June 11, 2013

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Young Lawyers Section Vacancy

The Young Lawyer’s Executive Committee currently has a vacancy in District 12 (Braxton, Pendleton, Pocahontas, Randolph and Webster Counties). If you are a young lawyer who is interested in serving on the YLS Committee, or if you know a young lawyer who would be a perfect candidate, please contact Jacqueline L. Sikora at jacqueline.sikora@courtswv.gov or 304-291-7265. All members in good standing with the Bar who have been sworn to practice before the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals and who are 35 years of age or under, or members admitted to practice ten years or less prior to the State Bar’s annual meeting, are considered “young lawyers.” All nominees must have their principle office located in one of the District 12 counties.

Criminal Law CommitteeThe Criminal Law Committee is seeking new members. If you are interested in joining the Committee, please plan to participate in a July 15 meeting at noon at the State Bar Center. To be sure the Bar can accommodate those attending, please advise Kathy Henning if you will be attending in person or participating by phone. The call in number will be 1-760-569-7171 with a code of 582251.

Updated Rules for Lawyer Assistance Program The Supreme Court has approved Amendments to the Rules of the Lawyer Assistance Program.

Click here to view the Lawyer Assistance Program Rules

Annual Professional Limited Liability Organization Renewals In order to insure that your PLLC is in compliance with the laws of The State of West Virginia, you need to file an annual renewal application with The State Bar. Any change in the corporate organization from the prior year must be reported and copies of current certificates of insurance are required. Every PLLC must also register an email address.If your organization renewed online last year click here to login. If not please click here to register to complete your online renewal. PLLC Annual Renewal are due by July 1, 2013. If you have questions concerning PLLC reporting requirements contact Anita R. Casey at 304-553-7228 or caseya@wvbar.org. If you have questions concerning the process for online filing contact Mike Mellace at 304-553-7223 or mellacem@wvbar.org.

Legal Aid Board of Directors

Four members of the West Virginia Bar were recently elected to serve on Legal Aid of West Virginia’s Board of Directors. New members were seated at Legal Aid’s May 17, 2013, Board meeting.

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West Virginia Commission on Uniform State LawsThe West Virginia Commission on Uniform State Laws is established by statute to work with Commissioners from other states in the Uniform Law Commission (ULC) to develop uniform and model state acts, and when appropriate work with the West Virginia State Legislature to get them enacted into law in West Virginia. By statute, the Commission issues an annual report. Click here to view a copy of the 2013 Report to the Legislature.

Living MonumentsLiving Monuments, a book featuring over 500 pictures of West Virginia’s 55 courthouse is available at Taylor Books in Charleston or by contacting the West Virginia Association of Counties at 304-346-0591 or wvaco@wvaco.org. The coffee table size book highlights the history and architecture of the courthouses and is being issued on the eve of West Virginia’s 150th birthday. The cost is $35 per book.

Attorney General Request for Proposal The Office of the West Virginia Attorney General has issued a Request for Proposal on behalf of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, which is seeking legal representation in conjunction with the purchase of property situated in Kanawha County for the purpose of creating a public access site. The Division of Natural Resources is specifically in need of an attorney to abstract the title, prepare a title report, prepare the deed, and hold the closing for this property on or before July 31, 2013. Qualified law firms or attorneys are invited to submit a proposal to represent the Division of Natural Resources to the Attorney General’s Office on or before Friday, June 14, 2013. For additional information regarding the Request for Proposal, please visit the Attorney General’s web site.

Legal Food FrenzyLegal Food Frenzy was started in a Martinsburg Law Office in 2011 to generate friendly competition with other firms in Berkeley County to see which firm could raise the most food for the local food pantry. This year we are taking Legal Food Frenzy statewide – that is where your firm can help. We are asking attorneys to bring in food and set up space in their lobby (be a host) for the community to drop off nonperishable items. If you decided to participate, you will receive a flyer template that you can print and hang in your local community.

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WVU College of Law Judicial Clerkship DirectoryThe WVU College of Law is compiling a judicial clerkship directory. They hope to identify all of our graduates who have served as state or federal judicial law clerks.If you are a WVU College of Law graduate and have served as a state or federal judicial law clerk after graduation, please forward your name and current contact information, as well as your year of graduation, name of the judge you clerked for,

name of the court, location of your clerkship, and dates that you served as a clerk to Jennifer Powell, Director of the Center for Law and Public Service, by e-mailing her at Jennifer.powell@mail.wvu.edu

Upcoming Events

JUNE 13, 2013

WVCLE E-Discovery Seminar

Sponsor: WVCLE

Location: WVU Medical Center – Charleston, WV

More Information and Registration

JUNE 18-19, 2013

Basic Mediation Annual Training Sessions

Sponsor: The West Virginia State Bar’s ADR Committee

Location: Flatwoods, WV

More Information and Registration

JUNE 20, 2013