WV State Bar

BAR BLAST 12-06-2011


WE'RE MOVING - The West Virginia State Bar will be relocating its offices to  2000 Deitrick Boulevard, Charleston, WV 25311, effective December 8, 2011.  The State Bar offices will be closed December 8, 2011 due to the move.  Please make a note of our new address.

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)

MARK YOUR CALENDARS -  The Family Law Committee has set regular meeting times.  They will be meeting the 2nd Friday of each month at 10:30  beginning December 9th.  Since the State Bar will be moving its offices that month, the meeting will be at Chair, Lyne Ranson Law offices 1528 Kanawha Blvd.   Starting on January  13th, the meetings will be at the new State Bar offices at North Gate.   Please let Kathy Henning (304.558.1044 or henningk@wvbar.org)  know if you will be attending.  She will be ordering lunch delivered for those members only.

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.  

We are hopeful that your schedule will allow you to join us for this memorable occasion and that you will let us know of your intentions by RSVP no later than Friday, December 9, 2011.

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.

CRIMINAL LAW COMMITTEE MEETING OPEN TO MEMBERS OF THE STATE BAR - The Criminal Law Committee will 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 a brief lunch, then an hour of CLE with our special guest speaker, Frank Bowman.  Professor Bowman is one of the authors of two major treatises and books used by all federal criminal practitioners, the Federal Sentencing Guidelines Handbook  and the Federal Forfeiture Guide.  He has also written numerous articles, served as Special Counsel to the U.S. Sentencing Commission, and presently teaches Criminal Law and other related topics at the University of Missouri, Columbia School of Law.  He received his bachelor's degree from The Colorado College and his J.D. from the Harvard Law School.  Due to the stature of Professor Bowman as an expert in his field, the meeting is open to all members of the Bar.  In order to insure that a sufficient number of lunches are ordered and that there is sufficient space for all who wish to attend the luncheon and CLE, a reservation is REQUIRED.  Please let Sandy Hanning  know if you will attend the upcoming Criminal Law Committee meeting, lunch, and free CLE on December 15, 2011, at 11:00 at Bailey & Glasser, 209 Capitol Street by calling Ms. Hanning at 304-345-6555 by Monday, December 12.

DELINQUENT MEMBERSHIP DUES & FRD SUSPENSIONS - As of today, we have 205 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.

REQUEST FOR COMMENT ON PROPOSED GUIDELINES FOR GUARDIANS AD LITEM IN FAMILY COURT; AMENDMENTS TO TRIAL COURT RULE 21; AND AMENDMENTS TO RULE 47 OF THE RULES OF PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE FOR FAMILY COURT. By Order entered October 21, 2011, the Court requested public comment on proposed guidelines related to the appointment of guardians ad litem in family court, along with a proposed amendment to Trial Court Rule 21 related to compensation of guardians and other matters. The public comment period ends December 31, 2011.

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.

"Living Monuments - West Virginia's Courthouses" - The West Virginia Association of Counties announces that DVDs are available for $15 each. With an order of 2 or more, they are only $10.  Shipping and handling is $4.50 per order, regardless of the quantity ordered. 2012 courthouse calendars and posters are also available calendars for $8 each, plus shipping and posters for $6, plus shipping. These items would make great client gifts!  Shipping costs can be eliminated if items are picked up at the West Virginia Association of Counties Office, 2211 Washington St. E. in Charleston or 304-346-0591. Click here for the order forms.  Our movie won the Spirit of West Virginia Award in September from the Division of Tourism!

PUBLIC DEFENDER JOB OPENING - The Public Defender Corporation of the 11th Judicial Circuit, serving Greenbrier and Pocahontas Counties, is seeking an Assistant Public Defender for the Pocahontas County Office. Benefits include health insurance and retirement package. Applicant must be admitted to practice law in the State of West Virginia and should have some experience in handling criminal matters. Resumes should be sent to the Public Defender Office, 207 North Court Street, Lewisburg, WV 24901,

ATTN: Chief Defender. Please call the Lewisburg office of the Public Defender at (304) 645-5588 for more information. Resumes will be accepted until the position is filled.

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.