February 25, 2025

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1. In Memoriam January to Date 2025

2.Career Services

3.Lawyer Referral Service

4.Membership Directory

5.Membership Portal Login

6.The WV Lawyer

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Supreme Court Announces Launch Date for Online Circuit Court Records System


The Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia has announced a new online system to search and access circuit court records in all 55 counties will go live and be available to the public beginning March 10. 


The basics of the system include:

 

  • Will launch March 10 and be available by going to the Supreme Court’s website www.courtswv.gov.
  • Following the March 10 launch, on the www.courtswv.gov homepage you will see an option for “Court Records Searches,” which will take you to the link to both the circuit court and magistrate records systems. (This will replace the current “Magistrate Record Search” link.)
  • There will also be an option in the menu bar on the www.courtswv.gov page labeled “Court Records” that will take you to the link.
  • The WVPASS circuit court records search system will require users to initially register with a valid email address to begin using the service.
  • Searches will be free for all registered users. If you would like to download documents, there will be a 25-cent per page charge plus a small transaction fee to cover the cost of the credit/debit card processing.
  • The database includes public content from circuit court cases dating back to 1999.
  • Juvenile cases or cases/documents filed under seal will not be publicly available through the system.

Click Here for Press Release

2025 ANNUAL MEETING

Nominations being accepted for 2025

  • Young Lawyer of the Year
  • Mentor of the Year
  • Solo/Small Firm Lawyer of the Year
  • Government Lawyer/Public Defender of the Year


Do you know an exceptional attorney who promotes a positive image within the profession and community at large? Nominate them! All awards will be presented at the 2025 Annual Meeting Awards Ceremony held at the Greenbrier Resort on Thursday, April 3rd. Nominations may be emailed to WVSB Executive Director, Mary Jane Pickens, at pickensmj@wvbar.org by the end of the business day on Tuesday, March 4, 2025. Nominations may include letters of recommendations, photos, articles, or other relevant information.


 CLICK HERE for requirements and how to submit a nomination


CLICK HERE to nominate your exceptional attorney


ALL Nominations must be received by 5:00 p.m. on 

Monday, March 4, 2025

CLE

CLE Rule Spotlight

Reporting Tip

 

Administrative Rule 6.08(d) outlines the basic approval standards for a CLE course and it states “(t)o be approved, a course shall have significant intellectual or practical content; it shall deal primarily with matter directly related to the practice of law (which includes professional responsibility and office practice); it shall be taught by persons who are qualified by practical or academic experience in the subjects covered and must include the distribution of high quality written materials pertaining to the subjects covered.”

In accordance with the requirements outlined in this rule, the Individual Course Approval Application requires an attorney to attach (1) a detailed, timed agenda (so that credit requests can be calculated and course content can be verified); (2) speaker bios (so that speaker qualifications can be verified) and (3) written course materials for a course. Please make sure that you have all of these attachments before submitting an application for CLE credit. Incomplete applications cannot be processed. If any of the attachments are too large for the application size limitations they can be emailed directly to the Compliance Coordinator at chases@wvbar.org but the CLE course approval application itself must still be submitted via the online member portal.

NEWS

Amendments to the West Virginia State Bar

Administrative Rule 14 -Adopted

EFFECTIVE JANUARY 24, 2025


On January 24, 2025, the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia adopted amendments to the West Virginia State Bar Rule 14 on Succession Planning.


CLICK HERE to review the ORDER adopting the amendments

Request for Public Comment on Amendments

to Rule 26 of the West Virginia Rules of Juvenile Procedure

 

Public comments are sought on proposed amendments to Rule 26 of the West Virginia Rules of Juvenile Procedure.  All comments must be filed in writing with the Clerk of Court no later than February 28, 2025.


CLICK HERE to View the ORDER


The State Bar is pleased to share that the ABA Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service is recognizing Bowles Rice, as West Virginia's 2024 Pro Bono Leader, for providing extraordinary pro bono services through the ABA Free Legal Answers virtual legal advice portal. Bowles Rice attorneys answered 172 civil legal questions on the West Virginia ABA Free Legal Answer site in 2024.


Now in its ninth year, ABA Free Legal Answers has responded to more than 400,000 civil legal questions submitted by users to the over 15,000 pro bono attorneys from 43 jurisdictions, including a federal portal addressing veterans benefits and immigration questions.


The State Bar wishes to thank Bowles Rice and all Bar members who take time from their busy schedules to help make the ABA Free Legal Answers a success.  

INTEREST RATE ON JUDGMENTS AND DECREES FOR 2025



Pursuant to the provisions of West Virginia Code 56-6-31, and an Administrative Order of the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia, please be advised that the interest rate, including pre-judgment interest, for judgments and decrees entered during the year 2025, is 7.00%.  


Click Here for the January 3, 2025 Administrative Order

Call for Judges:

2025 National Energy and Sustainability Moot Court

 

The National Energy and Sustainability Moot Court Competition, hosted March 6-8 by WVU Law, is seeking volunteer judges. The competition is being held online. Early round judges must be attorneys of good standing licensed to practice law in any state. Now in its 14th year, the National Energy and Sustainability Moot Court Competition attracts exceptional law students from across the country. This year, 24 teams from 13 law schools are registered to compete. To volunteer or ask questions, please fill out this availability survey or email wvumoot@mail.wvu.edu. The problem is posted on the competition website.

EVENTS

 

March 21, 2025

The West Virginia Bar Association

Solo & Small Firms Seminar

 

​The West Virginia Bar Association will hold the 2025 Solo & Small Firms Seminar at the Embassy Suites in Charleston, West Virginia on March 21, 2025.



HOST: The West Virginia Bar Association

LOCATION: Embassy Suites, Charleston Live Attendance and Live Virtual Attendance

TIME: 8:30 – 4:35 pm

Who should attend:  This event is open to lawyers and non-lawyers

COST: WVBA Member $295/ Non-Member $395

CLE: 7 credits including 1 credit in ethics for West Virginia

 

CLICK HERE for more information


Questions, contact the WV Bar Association at director@wvbarassociation.org

 

Registration is required and will be open until March 20th at 5:00 p.m.


Host: WV State Bar Multicultural Lawyers Committee

CLE: 3 credits including 1 ethics credit

Location: In-person at the State Bar Center, Large Lower Level Conference Room, Charleston and via live video conference.

Cost: Free

Click Here to REGISTER for Live In-Person Attendance


Click Here to REGISTER for Live Webinar Attendance


Facility Details:  Due to limited capacity for live attendance at the State Bar Center, registration is limited to the first 35 registrants. Attendance via webinar is also limited to the first 500 registrants. There is an increased interest in attending webinars, therefore, you are encouraged to register early to secure a link to attend virtually. All attendees, whether in person or virtual, will receive an email confirming registration. If you do not receive a confirmation of registration, you will not be able to participate in the seminar on the day of presentation.  

 

Note to those attending in person: If you are unable to use the stairs from the first floor to the lower level, please drive down the driveway on the left-side of the Bar Center and enter the building at the bottom of the driveway. Handicap accessible restrooms are available. If you need other assistance, please contact the State Bar 304-553-7220, in advance of the meeting, so arrangements can be made with you.

Host: West Virginia State Bar

Location: The Greenbrier Resort, White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia

CLE: Pending 


  • Cost for CLE Program only $175
  • Cost for Banquet only $195
  • Cost for Both CLE and Banquet $350

CLICK HERE to REGISTER to attend Live In-Person Annual Meeting


ANNUAL MEETING Live VIRTUAL ATTENDANCE: 

Cost: $175

CLICK HERE to REGISTER to attend Live Virtual CLE Program


FEDERAL/STATE PUBLIC DEFENDERS, FED/STATE LAW CLERKS, LEGAL AID REGISTRATION: 

  • Cost for CLE Program Only $100
  • Cost for Banquet Only $195
  • Cost for Both CLE and Banquet: $295
  • Cost for Virtual CLE Attendance: $100


CLICK HERE to REGISTER for Public Defenders/Law Clerks/Legal Attendance


Last Day to Register to Attend CLE and Banquet is March 24, 2025


Hotel Accommodations:

The State Bar has reserved a selection of rooms, at the Greenbrier Resort, for guests of the Annual Meeting for the evening of April 3, 2025 with an event rate (including applicable taxes and fees). The last day to reserve a room with the event rate is March 2, 2025. Guests that wish to make reservations over the phone may call the resort’s toll free number 855-441-2078, guests will be asked what group they are calling with and should refer to the West Virginia State Bar. 

Click Here to reserve a room at the Greenbrier


The School House Hotel has a limited selection of rooms available to those seeking other hotel arrangements. For pricing and availability please contact 304-536-0999 for reservations, or CLICK HERE to visit online.


CLICK HERE FOR AGENDA

April 4, 2025

West Virginia State Bar Young Lawyer Section 

Bridge the Gap Program

To be held in conjunction with the West Virginia State Bar Annual Meeting

 

About: Newly admitted members are required to complete a mandatory Bridge-the–Gap Program sponsored by the State Bar within 24 months after admission to the West Virginia State Bar. CLICK HERE for Additional information on the Bridge the Gap program and availability of an exemption.

Host: WV State Bar Young Lawyer Section 

Location: The Greenbrier Resort, White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia

Cost: Free

CLE: Pending

CLICK HERE to REGISTER for Bridge the Gap

HOST: Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia, Court Improvement Program

TIME: 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

CLE: Pending

LOCATIONS: As stated above 

Registration coming soon


Questions, contact Kandi Greter at kandi.greter@courtswv.gov or 304-340-2755.

SAVE THE DATE

May 16-18, 2025

WVJLAP Annual Conference & Retreat

 

Host: WV Judicial & Lawyer Assistance Program

CLE: Pending

Location: Stonewall Resort - Roanoke, WV

 

More information coming soon.

The West Virginia State Bar
www.wvbar.org
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