WV State Bar

ADMISSION CEREMONY - Four lawyers were admitted to practice law in the State of West Virginia during a ceremony before the Supreme Court of Appeals on February 10, 2010. These individuals were admitted after successfully completing the bar examination or by reciprocity. They are - Richard H. Monk, Birmingham, AL; Richard H. Taylor, Pittsburgh, PA; Kurt Douglas Weaver, Raleigh, NC and Peter St. Tienne Wolff, Pittsburgh, PA.

The Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia's Court Improvement Program has posted video of the 2009 child abuse and neglect cross-training conference on its Web site, www.wvcip.com, under the heading "About Us."  The 2010 Judicial Benchbook for Child Abuse and Neglect Proceedings is also available on the Web site under the heading "Software Download."  The 2010 cross-training conferences will take place June 21-22 at Canaan Valley Resort; June 24-25 at the Martinsburg Holiday Inn; and July 12-13 at the Big Sandy Arena in Huntington.  Registration will be required for the 2010 conferences, with information posted this spring on www.wvcip.com.

YOUNG LAWYERS SECTION - Many of you may have noticed the YLS link on the State Bar website and on the Bar Blast. Both links take you to the YLS page of the West Virginia State Bar website. The YLS page contains important information such as the West Virginia State Bar Practice Handbook and information about upcoming events. The YLS Committee usually meets four times a year and discusses important issues facing young lawyers in West Virginia. Recently, the YLS Committee met in Snowshoe and discussed, among other things, changing the State Bar's legal research provider from Casemaker to Fastcase. We will keep you updated on the status of this possible change. In the meantime, if you have any questions about the YLS and how it can help you, please click on the YLS link or contact your local YLS representative.

PRESTIGIOUS AWARDS - The deadlines for two prestigious awards that will be presented at the State Bar's Annual Meeting in May at The Greenbrier are approaching. The Young Lawyers Section will award its Young Lawyer of the Year Award and the State Bar will present the James Madison Cutts, Jr. Citizen Solider Award. Nominations for the Cutts Award must be received by March 2, 2010. Nominations for the Young Lawyer of the Year Award must be received by March 15, 2010.

STATE BAR ELECTIONS - Nominating Petitions for this year's elections have been mailed to State Bar members in Districts 1-5 for the Board of Governors and the Young Lawyers Section Executive Committee.  When signed by the requisite number of petitioners, Nominating Petitions must be filed, no later than February 10, 2010, with the Executive Director of The West Virginia State Bar, 2006 Kanawha Boulevard, East, Charleston, WV 25311-2204, via fax 304.558.2467 or email caseya@wvbar.org. Receipt in the office of the Executive Director by midnight February 10, 2010 constitutes filing.

The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals recently amended the Rules of Judicial Disciplinary Procedure and is publishing the amendments for comment.   Any public comment should be filed in writing with the Clerk of the Court by March 1, 2010.  Click here to review the Amendments.

WE WANT YOU at the 23rd annual Public Interest Advocates Spring Auction at the WVU College of Law!  On Thursday, March 4, terrific trips, amazing artwork, and signed sports memorabilia will be available for YOUR bid.  An attorney door prize and a raffle are also available! All proceeds benefit public interest fellowships for law students that are funded by the West Virginia Fund for Law in Public Interest.  So, come and enjoy some delicious food at 5:00 and sales at 6:00, at the PIA Auction on March 4.  Further information?  Contact Megan Annitto (293-8555) or Chuck DiSalvo (293-7342) at the College of Law.

The Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia's Court Improvement Program has posted video of the 2009 child abuse and neglect cross-training conference on its Web site, www.wvcip.com, under the heading "About Us."  The 2010 Judicial Benchbook for Child Abuse and Neglect Proceedings is also available on the Web site under the heading "Software Download."  The 2010 cross-training conferences will take place June 21-22 at Canaan Valley Resort; June 24-25 at the Martinsburg Holiday Inn; and July 12-13 at the Big Sandy Arena in Huntington.  Registration will be required for the 2010 conferences, with information posted this spring on www.wvcip.com.

Help requested for court history. Forest "Jack" Bowman is writing a history of the U.S. District Court for Northern West Virginia and would appreciate receiving reminiscences and anecdotes from former clerks of the judges of that court as well as from lawyers who have interesting stories to tell about trying cases before the judges in that district. He is also interested in lawyers' opinions regarding what they believe are the most important cases heard in this court over the years. Send your stories and reminiscences to:  Jack Bowman, 28 Vintner Place, Morgantown, WV 26505 or fjbowman@comcast.net