PLEASE MAKE A NOTE OF OUR NEW ADDRESS -The West Virginia State Bar relocated its offices to  2000 Deitrick Boulevard, Charleston, WV 25311, effective December 8, 2011.   Please make a note of our new address.

CHANGE TO CRIMINAL LAW COMMITTEE MEETING ON DECEMBER 15 - The Criminal Law Committee will still meet on December 15, 2011, from 11:00 - noon in a planning session to explore issues it should address over the next year and calendar more meetings, followed by lunch, but the CLE with Professor Frank Bowman has been postponed to a later date due to an unavoidable change in Professor Bowman's schedule. Please let Sandy Hanning know if you will attend the upcoming Criminal Law Committee meeting and lunch on December 15, 2011, at 11:00 at Bailey & Glasser, 209 Capitol Street by calling Ms. Hanning at 304-345-6555 by noon on Wednesday, December 14.

 

PROPOSED RULE CHANGES TO CREATE A NEW WEST VIRGINIA LAWYER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. The Court is asking for comments.  To review the document select this link. (Click here)

Juvenile Abuse and Neglect Information System -  Do you prepare pleadings and/or orders in Chapter 49 child abuse and neglect cases? Would you like to keep ahead of deadlines in such cases? If so, you will want to use JANIS 3.0, the newest version of the Juvenile Abuse and Neglect Information System (JANIS), which can be downloaded for free on www.wvcip.com. JANIS 3.0 includes a new timeline tool, additional orders, and updates to reflect user feedback and changes in law; more advancements are underway for this project of the Court Improvement Program of the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia. If you have questions or need technical assistance in using JANIS, please contact Pete Conley at (304) 624-6391 or at peteconley@me.com. 

WV HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION'S 50th ANNIVERSARY - The West Virginia Human Rights Commission is excited to inform you of our 50th year administering the West Virginia Human Rights Act. House Bill 115, which originated in the House Committee on the Judiciary, was passed by the Legislature on March 6, 1961, effective July 1, 1961 and approved by Governor William Barron. The Act amended Chapter Five of the Code of West Virginia, one thousand, nine hundred thirty-one, as amended, adding a new article, designated article eleven, which created and established the West Virginia Human Rights Commission.

 

We will be celebrating and commemorating this event on Tuesday, December 13, 2011, in the upper rotunda of the West Virginia State Capitol building, beginning at 10:30 AM, until approximately 12:00 Noon. We have planned a wonderful program highlighting the specific protected class distinctions as well as musical selections from local artists and others. * A light reception will be immediately following.  

 

If you have questions or need more information, please feel free to contact either of the following individuals: Marykaye Jacquet, mary.k.jacquet@wv.gov, at 304/558-2616. Ext. 76212 or  Monia Turley monia.s.turley@wv.gov , 304/558-2616, Ext. 76222.

DELINQUENT MEMBERSHIP DUES & FRD SUSPENSIONS　- As of today, we have 135 active State Bar members who still either did not pay their annual membership fees by the deadline date of September 1, 2011 and/or did not complete the required Financial Responsibility Disclosure (FRD) form on the back of the membership dues card by the deadline date of September 1, 2011. A $25 late fee automatically attached after September 1, 2011 for late payment of membership dues and a separate $25 late filing fee automatically attached for the late return of the FRD Notice.　 If the membership dues payment and/or the applicable late fees are not paid by December 21, 2011, then the State Bar member is automatically suspended from the active practice of law.　If the member has paid the fees and has not completed and submitted the FRD Notice on the back of the dues card by December 21, 2011, then the State Bar member is automatically suspended from the active practice of law.

 

 

http://www.courtswv.gov/legal-community/court-rules/Orders/2011/10-21-2011-TCR-FCb.pdf 

NEW COURT RULES - The Court has issued the Approved Changes to the Rules of Procedure for Child Abuse and Neglect Proceedings, effective January 3, 2012.  Click here to review the Rules. 

2012 WORKING TOGETHER CONFERENCE - A Partnership of Public and Private Tax Professionals - Working Together is a partnership of public and private tax professionals, where practitioner groups join with the IRS and the West Virginia State Tax Department  in sponsoring an annual conference. By continuing to enhance the level of communication and trust among the groups, a constructive working relationship is being built that will reduce the tax burden on the public and practitioners alike, and will further the IRS/State Tax Department goal of improving voluntary compliance.  The Conference will be held on Thursday, January 5, 2012 at the University of Charleston. A continental breakfast and hot buffet lunch will be provided.  To obtain more information regarding the Conference, click here.  The West Virginia Tax Institute is a presumptively-accredited provider for MCLE activities in West Virginia. This course qualifies for 8.0 hours of credit under the West Virginia Rules for Mandatory Continuing Legal Education.

SAVE THE DATE! LITIGATION SEMINAR - FEBRUARY 24-25, 2012 - 

WVCLE, sponsored by The West Virginia State Bar and the WVU College of Law, will present its annual litigation seminar on February 24-25, 2012, live at the Canaan Valley Resort & Conference Center in Davis, West Virginia. This conference will feature experts addressing issues related to litigation. Speakers include: Harry G. Deitzler, Esquire; Lonnie C. Simmons, Esquire; L. David Duffield, Esquire; Chad S. Lovejoy, Esquire; Professor Thomas C. Cady; Rory Lee Perry, II, Clerk of the Court; Mark R. Staun, Esquire; Pamela D. Tarr, Esquire, and Thomas P. Boggs, Esquire. Canaan Valley Resort is nestled in the Allegheny Mountains and offers downhill skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing, skating, etc. We have reserved rooms at a "double" room rate of $99 per night. Please make your reservations by dialing (800) 622-4121 and ask for the West Virginia Continuing Legal Education reservation block. All rooms will be released by January 23, 2012. If you would like to register for this seminar or for more information, please CLICK HERE or dial (304) 293-7255.