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Bar Blast – April 12, 2016
April 12, 2016
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2016 Annual Conference and Meeting
The West Virginia State Bar would like to thank all sponsors of this year’s Annual Conference and Meeting. Over 260 individuals attended this year’s meeting, making it one of our most successful annual meetings in years.
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
    
 
  
 
___________________________________________________
Congratulations to the State Bar Award Recipients:
Mentor of the Year: Michael Chaney Esq.
Young Lawyer of the Year:  Lauren Marie Twigg Krupica
Citizen Soldier of the Year: Judge Derek C. Swope
Legal Aid of West Virginia Award Recipients: 
Kaufman Award: Richard Goldstein
Pro Bono Law Firm: Sal, Sellaro, Thorn and Culpepper
Distinguished Pro Bono Law firm: Hamilton, Burgess, Young & Pollard
___________________________________________________

2016 

Judicial Benchbook for Child Abuse and Neglect Proceedings
 The 2016 Judicial Benchbook for Child Abuse and Neglect Proceedings is now available. Click here to download.
CIP also published an online Juvenile Law Guide this year, available at this link.  The guide gives an overview of West Virginia juvenile law and court procedures. It is intended to provide a framework for understanding the state’s juvenile justice system and to be a training tool for juvenile justice system personnel, law enforcement, students, and the public.

Legal Services Corporation Notice of Availability of Grant Funds for Calendar Year 2017

The Legal Services Corporation (LSC) announces the availability of grant funds to provide civil legal services to eligible clients during calendar year 2017. A Request for Proposals (RFP) and other information pertaining to the LSC grants process will be availableat this link during the week of April 11, 2016. In accordance with LSC’s multiyear funding policy, grants are available for only specified service areas. To review the service areas for which grants are available, by state, click here and click on the name of the state.
Applicants must file a Notice of Intent to Compete (NIC) through the online application system in order to participate in the grants process. Information about the LSC grants process including eligibility and how to file a NIC is available at this link. Complete instructions will be available in the RFP Narrative Instruction.
The RFP will be published during the week of April 11, 2016. Please refer to this link for filing dates and submission requirements. Please email inquiries pertaining to the LSC grants process to LSCGrants@lsc.gov.

Increased Penalties for Unlawful Practice of Law

On March 23, Governor Tomblin signed into law a bill increasing the penalties for the Unlawful Practice of Law.  The State Bar and its Unlawful Practice of Law Committee thank Del. Steve Shaffer for his assistance in shepherding this bill through the legislature.  To view the new legislation, click here

Veterans’ Priority for OPM Jobs
Administrative Law Judge openings in the social security field have been posted on USAJOBS. Preference for veterans is available.

 Awareness for Military Sexual Trauma (MST) and Veterans’ Suicide Fundraiser

On April 16, 2016,  WVU Veterans, a 501(c) non-profit, will sponsor a golf tourament at Lakeview Resort, Morgantown.

Family Law Basic Training – a CLE by LAWV
Legal Aid of West Virginia is hosting a free*CLE presentation entitled “Family Law Basic Training” on Friday, April 22, 2016 from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.  Presenters include Andy Nason, Esq. & Jessica Donahue Rhodes, Esq.  4 CLE credits are pending, including 1 Ethics credit.  The session will take place live at Legal Aid’s Charleston office & will be available via videoconference at Legal Aid’s local offices. Attendance at this CLE is free if the participating attorney agrees to take 1 case pro bono for advice or representation through Legal Aid during 2016.    Space is limited. RSVP to David Frercks at dfrercks@lawv.net or 304-343-3013 ext. 2138.

Non-Partisan Judicial Elections are May 10 
Please spread the word among your staff, family and friends that voting for judicial candidates will ONLY take place on Tuesday, May 10.  The winners on May 10, will be our new judges.  There will be no judicial elections in the fall.

Lawyer Assistance Program Seeking Executive Director
The West Virginia State Bar is seeking applicants for the position of Executive Director of the West Virginia Lawyer Assistance Program (“WVLAP”). The ideal applicant will be a professional with recovery experience. Lawyers, as well as experienced, credentialed or licensed professionals with advanced degrees in relevant fields such as addiction, counseling, social work, psychology or employee assistance will be considered. Applicants must understand the problems of professionals experiencing impairments such as substance abuse, addiction, gambling, mental/emotional issues, aging and other potentially debilitating conditions. Superior communication and organizational skills are required, as is knowledge of evaluation and treatment methods. Word processing skills, as well as experience in fund raising and grant writing, are preferred.
PEIA health insurance, state retirement plan and other benefits are included or available. The Executive Director will report to and be supervised by the WVLAP Board of Directors. As an employee of the West Virginia State Bar, the WVLAP Executive Director will be precluded from engaging in the private practice of law.
Applications in the form of a letter of interest and resume, with references, must be received, on or before April 30, 2016, by Anita Casey, caseya@wvbar.org or 2000 Deitrick Boulevard, Charleston, West Virginia 25311-1231.

Bar Foundation Fellows Dinner – April 28, 2016
Charleston Marriott Hotel
The Annual Reception and Dinner to honor the 2016 class will be held on Thursday, April 28, at the Marriott Hotel in Charleston. The well attended event (black tie optional) begins at 6:00 PM and the cost is $150 per person or $1,500 for a table of ten persons.
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.
Upcoming Events

April 21, 2016
WVCLE Employment Law Seminar 
Host: WVCLE
Location: West Virginia University Medical Center – Charleston Division in Charleston, WV
If you would like to register for this seminar or for more information, please CLICK HERE or call (304) 293-7255.

April 22, 2016: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
The West Virginia State Bar Animal Law Committee Animal Law Seminar
Host: The West Virginia State Bar Animal Law Committee
Location: Capitol Conference Center, Capitol Street, Charleston, WV
6.6 credit hours approved
Topics include: Animal Law: A View from the Bench, Pet Trusts, Assistance Animals, Pet Custody, Prosecuting Animal Crimes

May 3, 2016 – 9am-5pm
Kanawha County Family Law CLE Seminar 
Host: Kanawha County Family Law Bench-Bar Committee
Location: Edgewood Country Club – Charleston, WV
CLE: 8 Attendance Credits
Seminar Cost: $90 (lunch included)

To register send payment to Susan Shepard – Post Office Box 418 St.Albans, WV 25177.

For more information contact Lyne Ranson at Lyne@LyneRanson.com

May 4-5, 2016
Federal Criminal Justice Act (“CJA”) Panel Seminar
Host: Offices of the Federal Public Defender for the Northern and Southern Districts of West Virginia
Location:  Glade Springs Resort, Daniels, West Virginia
This seminar is open to all members of the bar who are on the CJA panels for either the Northern and Southern Districts of West Virginia as well as those members who are on the CJA training panels.  Please contact Kim Lancaster at Kim_Lancaster@fd.org to register.

May 14, 2016
Mountain State Bar Association Annual Meeting
Host: Mountain State Bar Association
Location: Bluefield, WV at Fincastle Country Club
Questions? Contact Cheryl Henderson at chendwv@aol.com

May 19, 2016
Recent Developments in the Law Seminar 
Host: WVCLE and the Cabell County Bar Association
Location: Big Sandy Superstore Arena in Huntington, WV

May 21, 2016
2016 Real Estate Law & Business Law Conferences
Host: The WV Bar Association
Location: Stonewall Resort, Roanoke, WV

June 16, 2016
Insurance Law Seminar 
Host: WVCLE
Location: WVU Medical Center – Charleston, WV

June 21-22, 2016 
Basic Mediation Training
Host: WV State Bar ADR Committee
Location: Days Hotel – Flatwoods, WV *The State Bar has obtained a discounted room rate for the nights of June 20 and June 21.
THIS TRAINING IS OFFERED EVER OTHER YEAR SO THE NEXT TRAINING WILL NOT BE UNTIL 2018.
Questions? Contact monicahaddad@comcast.net

June 23-24, 2016 
Public Defender Services 2016 Indigent Defense Conference (formerly the Public Defender Annual Conference) 
Host: West Virginia Public Defender Services
Location: Stonewall Resort in Roanoke, WV
Registration Coming Soon. Please email Pam.R.Clark@wv.gov with any questions/concerns you might have.

July 20, 2016 
Advanced Mediation Training – Advocacy in Mediation
Host: WV State Bar ADR Committee
Location: Bridgeport Conference Center – Bridgeport, WV *The West Virginia State Bar has obtained a discounted room rate for July 19th.
More information and registration coming soon!
Questions? Contact monicahaddad@comcast.net

October 2016 – Save the Date!
State Bar Regional Meetings
Host: WV State Bar
October 4 – Beckley
 October 19 – Morgantown
October 5 – Martinsburg October 20 – Wheeling
October 6 – Moorefield October 25 – Charleston
October 7 – Chapmanville
(Location Change)		 October 26 – Huntington
October 18 – Clarksburg October 27 – Parkersburg
More information coming soon.

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