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August 13, 2013
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Annual Membership Reporting and Fees 2013-14  

Due September 3, 2013 

On June 17, all members were mailed a membership reporting and fees post-card. Click here for a sample copy of the post  
card. This post-card will give you instructions on how to pay your 2013-14 membership fees and complete your FRD and IOLTA reporting online. You are encouraged to use the online reporting option. Well in advance of the September 3, reporting deadline, you should confirm that you have a password and are familiar with the system.  You do not want encounter problems at the end of the reporting period that may negatively impact your ability to submit your information and subject you to late reporting penalties.  A firm administrator may also register to do all the payment of fees and reporting of FRD and IOLTA for the entire firm. If you wish to continue with paper reporting, forms will be available on The State Bar's website. There is a $10.00 processing fee for all paper submissions, which must be paid at the time of submission.Members who wish to file online and select to pay by check are not subject to the $10 processing fee. Questions: contact Anita Casey at caseya@wvbar.org
Access to Justice Survey 
In an effort to better understand how West Virginia lawyers are helping to meet the legal needs of West Virginians, the Access to Justice Commission of the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia is conducting a survey of members of the State Bar to gain more information about your experiences in performing pro bono work. Recognizing that lawyers often provide legal assistance in a variety of ways at little or no costs to clients, the Access to Justice Commission wants to hear from you to determine the types of pro bono work being performed, as well as what we can do to better recognize and increase such efforts.

Email Address Listing for Members Only

On August 2, 2013, The State Bar Board of Governors authorized a change on the website which will make email addresses of members visible to other members. Log into www.mywvbar.org and use the membership search functionality. The public will not have access to member email addresses through the website. Members must be logged into our website to use this functionality. 

Lawyer Referrals 

If you are unable to assist a potential client with a legal matter, please refer the individual to the lawyer referral website (www.wvlawyerreferral.org).  The website provides 24/7 access and allows clients to select the attorney(s) they may wish to contact both by subject area and by distance/location.  Although the website does not yet contain detailed information on practice areas, the Bar is working on supplementing information of general interest, by subject area, and providing links to services and other websites which may be used by the potential client to evaluate whether a referral to an attorney is needed.  Please be sure to notify your staff of this new service.  Questions?  Contact Anita Casey at caseya@wvbar.org.

Legal Services Day For Sexual Assault and Stalking Victims 

Legal Aid of West Virginia and CONTACT Rape Crisis Center are hosting a free legal services day for sexual assault and stalking victims. The event is scheduled for Friday, August 16, 2013, at the Huntington Legal Aid office (1005 Sixth Avenue, Huntington, WV). Legal Aid is looking for attorneys to volunteer for the free legal services day.  

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Unified Operating System in Clerks' Offices 
On August 8, 2013 a press release was issued from the Supreme Court of Appeals regarding a development that has been directed by the Court that will administratively affect the practice of law in West Virginia: a unified e-filing system that will be developed in every West Virginia county during the next two to three years. The passage from the report contained in the press release that outlines the e-filing initiative is quoted in the link below.  
Upcoming Events
August 15-17, 2013
WVBA 127th Annual Meeting

Location: The Homestead
Host: The West Virginia Bar Association

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August 16, 2013
Legal Services Day For Sexual Assault and Stalking Victims

Location: Huntington Legal Aid office (1005 Sixth Avenue, Huntington, WV)

Host: Legal Aid of West Virginia  

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August 30-31, 2013
Practicing Law Ethically Update:  Bridging the Digital Divide

Location: WVU College of Law 

Host: WVCLE 

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September 13, 2013
Lunch and Laughs With a Legal Legend 

Location: The WVU Erickson Alumni Center - Morgantown, WV 

Host: WV Bar Foundation 

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September 13-14, 2013
WVCLE Family Law Institute Seminar
Speakers include: Andrew S. Nason, The Honorable Mike Kelly, Scott N. Friedman, Rachel L. Fletcher Cipoletti, Cindy MacAulay, Virginia Supcoe, Richard A. Bush, Dean Boland, Delby Pool, and Reed Spangler. This seminar is accredited for 9.8 WV MCLE credits, including 3.8 ethics and law office management credits. 

Location: WVU College of Law 

Host: WVCLE 

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September 27-28, 2013
Solo & Small Firm Conference 

Location: WVU College of Law 

Host: WVCLE 

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October 18-19, 2013
Update on the Law

Location: WVU College of Law 

Host: WVCLE 

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November 8-9, 2013
Shale Gas Law 

Location: WVU College of Law 

Host: WVCLE 

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