FLOAT-SINK LITIGATION SUBJECT TO ELECTRONIC FILING AND SERVICE: The Mass Litigation Panel has ordered that all civil actions in the Float-Litigation (In re: Float-Sink Litigation, Civil Action No. 11-C-5000000, pending in the Circuit Court of Raleigh County, West Virginia), are subject to e-filing and service beginning on MAY 17, 2011. (For Mass Litigation Panel Orders, go to: http://www.state.wv.us/wvsca/MLP/index.htm.) Registration and training with LexisNexis File & Serve ("LNFS") is mandatory.  To register with LNFS, go to: www.lexisnexis.com/fileandserve/lawfirms/register.asp and click "Register."  ON-SITE TRAINING CLASSES will be offered on MAY 19, 2011, at the Law Firm of Robinson & McElwee PLLC, 700 Virginia St E, Suite 400, Charleston, WV 25301 as follows: Introductory Class: 10:00-11:30 a.m.; Existing User Class: Thursday, May 19^th from 1:00-1:30 p.m.  WEB-BASED CLASSES WILL ALSO BE OFFERED.

Financial & Estate Planning Seminar - Mark Your Calendar for May 19^th  to attend this annual seminar in Charleston. The keynote speaker this year will be Jonathan Blattmachr, a Principal in ILS Management, LLC and a former Partner at Milbank Tweed Hadley & McCloy in New York, NY. He is recognized as one of the most creative trusts and estates lawyers in the country and is listed in The Best Lawyers in America. He has written and lectured extensively on estate and trust taxation and charitable giving.  Click here to review the brochure. 

U.S. DISTRICT COURT FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF WV - The United States District Court for the Northern District of West Virginia requires all attorneys to electronically file all pleadings, using the Court's Case Management Electronic Filing System (referred to as CM/ECF). The Court is offering a two and one half hour (2 1/2) training course for attorneys and/or their support staff on use of the CM/ECF filing system on the following dates and locations:

May 23, 24 - Elkins

May 25, 26, 27 - Clarksburg

Monday, May 23   1:30 pm    Elkins District Judge Courtroom

Tuesday, May 24   9:00 am   Elkins District Judge Courtroom

Tuesday, May 24   1:30 pm   Elkins District Judge Courtroom

Wednesday, May 25   1:30 pm    Clarksburg Magistrate Judge Courtroom

Thursday, May 26        9:00 am    Clarksburg Magistrate Judge Courtroom

Thursday, May 26        1:30 pm    Clarksburg Magistrate Judge Courtroom

Friday, May 27             9:00 am    Clarksburg Magistrate Judge Courtroom

Attorneys and/or staff may attend one class. Attorneys completing the 2 1/2 hour class will earn 3 CLE credits for office management. There is no charge for the classes. Reservations are required, as there is a limit of 12 students per class.

Friday, May 20th is the last day to make a reservation. Interested parties please contact: Rita Sedosky or Kimberly Denny via email:

rita_sedosky@wvnd.uscourts.gov OR kimberly_denny@wvnd.uscourts.gov

A Relatives as Parents Legal Workshop is scheduled for June 4, in Morgantown.  The topics are the MDT (Multidisciplinary Treatment Team) presented by Nikki Watton, CPS Supervisor with DHHR, and Guardianship presented by Judge Jeffery Culpepper.  The location is the Chestnut Ridge Church.  The workshop begins at 10:00 AM with coffee and check in at 9:30 AM.  A complimentary lunch will be served at noon and the workshop will end at 3:00 PM.

MCLEs will be applied for.  Advance registration is required by May 27, 2011.  To register call Mission WV at 1­-866-CALL-MWV (1-866-225-5698), or email Laura Lou Harbert at lharbert@missionwv.org.

MEDIATION TRAINING SESSIONS- On July 12 and 13, 2011, The West Virginia State Bar's ADR Committee will present its annual Basic Mediation Training Sessions.  The sessions will be held at the Days Hotel in Flatwoods. The sessions provide 16 hours CLE credit with 1.2 hours in ethics.  The Agenda is being finalized.  Registration deadline is July 7.   

Click here to register for the Basic Mediation Training Sessions. 

An  Advanced Mediation Training Session will be held on August 9, 2010, also at the Days Hotel in Flatwoods.  This session will offer 6.5 hours credit with 1.2 hours in ethics.  The Agenda and registration materials will be provided when available.  Registration deadline is August 2.  
  
The State Bar has made arrangements with The Days Hotel for discounted rooms for those attending the training sessions.  Contact should be made directly with the hotel at 866-700-7284.  Advise the hotel you will be attending one of the training sessions to obtain The State Bar discount.  If you have questions concerning the discounted rooms, contact Kathy Henning at henningk@wvbar.org or 304-558-1044.    

MANDATORY COMPLETION OF IOLTA INFORMATION - - Effective July 1, 2010, The West Virginia State Bar was given administrative responsibility for the IOLTA program. The State Bar purchased a database and has been inputting data for the past several months.  In order to complete this process, it is essential that each active member of The Bar complete a "Notice of Compliance with Rule 1.15." The completed form must be returned to The State Bar no later than September 1, 2011. To access the instructions and form for the Notice of Compliance click here.   If you are a member of a firm which maintains one IOLTA account for all attorneys, or for a practice group, the managing member of the firm or practice group may complete the form for all attorneys listed on one account.

UPCOMING FASTCASE WEBINARS - Click here to review a complete listing of upcoming Fastcase webinars.    

These Fastcase webinars have now been approved for 1.20 online (audio/video type) office management credits each.