BAR BLAST – June 16, 2015

Annual Membership Reporting & Fees

On June 12, 2015 all Active and Inactive members were mailed an orange postcard via USPS. This postcard contains instructions on how to complete reporting and fees for the 2015-16 fiscal year.

The deadline for Reporting and Fee payment is midnight, September 1, 2015. For more information on how to complete this process go to www.wvbar.org.

State Bar Annual Meeting 2016

The West Virginia State Bar is pleased to announce that the 2016 Annual Meeting will be held at The Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia.  Six hours of continuing legal education will be offered on Monday, April 4, for a total cost of $75.  Discounted room rates will be available for the dates surrounding the meeting. Agenda topics are being finalized.  Presenters will include members of our federal judiciary and two nationally renowned speakers.  A buffet dinner will be held on Sunday, April 3. All are invited to attend the dinner where 2015 Fifty Year Bar Members, Past Presidents of the State Bar and award winners for both the State Bar and Legal Aid of West Virginia will be recognized.  The cost for the dinner will be $130/person.  Keep watching the Bar Blast for updates on the Annual Meeting.

Annual Professional Limited Liability (PLLC) 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. COPIES OF CURRENT CERTIFICATES OF INSURANCE ARE REQUIRED. Every PLLC must also register an email address.

If your organization renewed online previously click here to login.  PLLC Annual Renewals are due by July 1, 2015.  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 ormellacem@wvbar.org.

Tuesday Legal Connect Volunteers Needed

The State Bar is in need of volunteer attorneys on Tuesday evenings inJune to field legal questions from the public as part of the “Tuesday Legal Connect” program.  Volunteers would work out of the Legal Aid office located at 1519 North Walker Street, Princeton, W. Va. from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.   IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN HELPING IN JUNE, PLEASE EMAIL CAROLYN LAXTON AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.   HER ADDRESS IS claxton@lawv.net.

The Court is requesting public comment on amendments to the Rules of Child Abuse and Neglect Proceedings. The Rules have been updated and amended  to reflect code changes and codes repealed by the WV Legislature . The rules have also been amended to reflect changes in legislation following passage of the federal Preventing Sex Trafficking and Strengthening  Families Act, approved on September 29, 2014. The Court has approved a 60 day comment period to end on July 28, 2015.Please send any comments to the WV Supreme Court Clerks Office.

Click here for the Order

The Lawyer Disciplinary Board is soliciting public comments on the following Legal Ethics Opinions:
L.E.O. 2015-01: Use of Stand-In Counsel
Deadline for submissions: September 14, 2015.

L.E.O. 2015-02: Social Media and Attorneys
Deadline for submissions: September 14, 2015.

L.E.O. 2015: The Amended Rules of Professional Conduct and the Effect on L.E.I. 98-02
Deadline for submissions: September 14 2015.

The Judicial Vacancy Advisory Commission is currently receiving applications to fill the judicial vacancy on the 7th Judicial Circuit serving Logan County. Candidates must submit completed applications by no later than 5:00 p.m. on June 16, 2015. The deadline for submittal of letters of recommendation or comment is June 23, 2015. Applications and instructions are available at www.governor.wv.gov. For more information about the application process, please call Manda Bickoff at 304-558-2000. Interviews will be held in Charleston on July 7, 2015.

June 18, 2015
WVCLE Insurance Law
Host: West Virginia Continuing Legal Education (WVCLE)
Location: WVU Medical Center – Charleston, WV

June 18-19, 2015

Public Defender Services 2015 Annual Conference 

Host: West Virginia Public Defender Services

Location: Stonewall Resort in Roanoke, WV

July 20-21 & 23-24, 2015

WV Court Improvement Program Cross-Training Conferences 

Host: West Virginia Court Improvement Program

Location: Charleston Marriott – July 20-21,

Bridgeport Conference Center – July 23-24.

April 3-4, 2016

The WV State Bar Annual Meeting 2016 – SAVE THE DATE!

Host: The West Virginia State Bar

Location: The Greenbrier

Details coming soon!