The West Virginia State Bar was created by the Supreme Court of Appeals as an agency of the Court to help it fulfill its constitutional role to regulate and control the practice of law in West Virginia. A Board of Governors, elected by members of the Bar from sixteen districts around the state oversees the Bar. A new President for the State Bar is elected each year.
The primary purpose of the State Bar is to regulate, supervise, and control the practice of law in West Virginia for the benefit and interest of the state and its citizens. The State Bar is not a law office and does not offer legal advice or legal services directly to the public, but does provide resources and access to justice programs to help the public find appropriate legal representation.
Certificates of Good Standing:
The State Bar provides certificates of good standing to members upon request.
Job Postings:
The State Bar maintains a job posting page on its website, where employers can post open attorney positions in their firm or organization.
Committees:
The State Bar offers a wide range of committees that members are encouraged to join, that are tailored to various practice areas, professional interests, and the evolving needs of the Bar and its members.
Member Benefits:
Members of the State Bar have access to benefits such as the free legal research tool vLexFastcase. Members can also explore offers through Clio, ALPS, ABA Retirement Funds, Practice Panther, Smokeball, and more. Some benefits partners offer discounts for State Bar members. Explore all member benefits here.
Fraud Alert :
When the State Bar learns of fraudulent activities online and potential scams that could affect members and their practices, it notifies its members.
Continuing Legal Education (CLE):
The State Bar informs members of CLE opportunities through the use of the weekly Bar Blast and social media channels. The State Bar also offers at least six free CLE courses each year for members to earn credit with the assistance of our Committees.
The State Bar also keeps members apprised of CLE reporting requirements and deadlines through the Bar Blast and direct emails.
West Virginia Judicial Lawyer Assistance Program (WVJLAP):
WVJLAP is a free and confidential assistance program providing consultation, referral, intervention, crisis management, monitoring and peer support for lawyers, judges, bar applicants and law students who are struggling substance abuse, suicidal ideation or other mental/physical/ emotional health issues.
Technology Services
The State Bar provides IT service for functions related to Bar members mywvbar.org accounts, assistance with registration needs, and other operational issues related to the Bar’s website.
Use of the State Bar Offices & Facilities
The State Bar is available for members to use upon request. Two conference spaces, along with the lower level learning center, can be utilized for meetings, depositions, mediations, and trainings.
The Young Lawyer Section (YLS):
The State Bar’s Young Lawyer Section assists newly admitted lawyers with their transition into the practice of law by providing the mandatory Bridge the Gap program.
Membership Directory:
The State Bar provides access to .PDF version of the membership directory, available for download, in addition to the online member look up.
Licensure:
The State Bar regulates licensing of all persons admitted to practice law in West Virginia.
Continuing Legal Education (CLE):
The State Bar manages, processes, and monitors mandatory continuing legal education for members of the Bar.
Financial Responsibility Disclosure (FRD):
The State Bar monitors and tracks required information regarding lawyers’ professional liability insurance or other sources of financial resources to protect against potential malpractice claims.
Interest On Lawyers Trust Accounts (IOLTA):
The State Bar administers the IOLTA program, which includes tracking required information regarding lawyer trust accounts and receiving and distributing interest income to grantees. IOLTA funds support various access to justice and civil legal service programs.
Office of Disciplinary Counsel (ODC):
The Office of Disciplinary Counsel serves as an investigative and prosecuting authority for violations of the Rules of Professional Conduct. The State Bar supports and funds ODC with Bar licensing and administrative fees.
Pro Hac Vice:
A Pro Hac Vice admission allows non-West Virginia licensed out-of-state lawyers to practice law in West Virginia on a limited basis when affiliated with local lawyers. The State Bar receives these filings and ensures compliance with Rule 8 of the Rules for Admission to Practice Law in West Virginia.
Professional Organizations:
The State Bar verifies eligibility requirements and compliance with applicable statutes and rules of professional legal organizations such as: Legal Corporations (LC), Limited Liability Partnerships (LLP), limited liability companies (LLC), and Professional Limited Liability Companies (PLLC).
Succession Planning:
The State Bar tracks attorney succession planning based on annual reporting by members.
Unlawful Practice of Law (UPL):
The State Bar manages all matters and issues related to the unlawful practice of law. The Bar’s Unlawful Practice of Law Committee receives complaints of the unlicensed practice of law and investigates the complaints. In appropriate situations, the complaints and the Committee’s investigation are referred to prosecuting attorneys for further investigation and action.
Access to Justice Programs:
The State Bar provides access to legal services for members of the public such as the Lawyer Referral Service, Tuesday Legal Connect, and West Virginia Free Legal Answers.
Law School Access Justice Programs:
The State Bar supports public interest programs through post-graduate fellowships and a summer stipend program through the WVU College of Law. This support helps students and graduates remain in West Virginia and work in pubic interest positions.
Lawyer Referral Service:
The State Bar provides an online lawyer referral service on its website. Members of the public can access the service, provide brief information about their legal matter, and obtain contact information for up to 3 attorneys in their region who may be able to assist them.
Mediator Listing Services:
The State Bar maintains a list of Bar Members who are willing and qualified to serve as mediators in West Virginia disputes.
Lawyer Fund for Client Protection:
The State Bar considers claims for reimbursement from members of the public for certain losses caused by dishonest conduct committed by West Virginia lawyers occurring in the course of a lawyer-client or fiduciary relationship.
Voluntary Fee Dispute Resolution Program:
The State Bar helps clients and attorneys resolve disputes over legal fees and costs. This program is managed by the Grievance Committees in each of the 16 Districts, which facilitate the mediation and resolution of fee-related grievances and conflicts among Bar members and their clients.
Regional Meetings:
The State Bar organizes 10 regional meetings annually throughout the state. CLE credit is given for attendance, and it is an opportunity for State Bar staff to visit and communicate with members closer to their communities.
The Bar Blast:
The State Bar sends out a weekly email with current information regarding upcoming CLEs, announcements, regulatory notices, and more to members every Tuesday at 7am. Members should not unsubscribe to the Bar Blast – doing so will limit their knowledge of critical information and deadlines.
Social Media:
Follow the West Virginia State Bar on Facebook and LinkedIn.
The West Virginia Lawyer:
The State Bar publishes a quarterly magazine, West Virginia Lawyer, that provides insights to the happenings of the Bar and legal landscape of the State. It is a magazine by lawyers, about lawyers.
Direct Emails:
The State Bar sends targeted emails to membership with key information related to the Bar, membership, or court updates as needed. Bar members are required to keep contact information up to date on their MyBar account to ensure they receive these communications.
CLE Information:
The State Bar sends course materials and information related to State Bar CLEs to members who register for the CLE using their email on file.
The State Bar Website:
The State Bar maintains and frequently updates wvbar.org to keep the membership aware of upcoming CLEs, events, and more.
