1999 Membership Survey
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

In 1994, Ryan McGinn Samples Research was commissioned by The West Virginia State Bar to conduct a Membership Survey. In October of 1999, a follow up study was conducted to track changes in attitudes among West Virginia State Bar Members.

The 1999 State Bar Membership Survey was conducted by means of a direct-mail methodology. Four thousand and one surveys were mailed to active members of the West Virginia State Bar with a return deadline of November 22; surveys were accepted and tabulated until November 29. A total of 1,649 surveys were returned, yielding an effective response rate of 41%. Note: Forty-nine completed surveys were received on December 16 increasing the response rate to 42%. Tabulation had been completed at this point; therefore, these surveys are not represented in the data.

The questionnaire used for this survey consists of 121 questions, many of which have multiple parts, and was designed by The West Virginia State Bar, with consultation from Ryan McGinn Samples Research. Question areas include demographics, legal practice characteristics, personal opinions, continuing legal education, and questions regarding state bar activities.

Significant Tracking Changes

In 1994, nearly 8 in 10 State Bar Members (79%) indicated their primary legal occupation as "other." In 1999, the category "Attorney in Private Practice" was added with 80% of members indicating this as their primary legal occupation. In a follow up question designed to measure length of term in this position, eight in ten (79%) answered dk/na in 1994, while 48% answer under ten years in 1999.

The number of members practicing in a law office with only one lawyer has increased slightly from 1994 (up 6% from 18% to 24% in 1999), as have the number of partners or shareholders in the office (up 10% from 18% to 28%).

Remaining consistent with 1994 findings, the single field of law that generates the greatest dollar amount of fees is Personal Injury Law, Defense or Plaintiff. However the percentage of time (80%-100%) workers devote to the field producing the greatest dollar amotmt of fees has increased 14% (up from 22% in 1994 to 36%).

State Bar Members are working more days and billing more hours. In 1994, 40% of respondents reported devoting 5 days per week to the practice of law. In 1999, this has increased to more than half (55%) of bar members devoting 5 days, and over one quarter (29%) devoting 6 days to the practice of law. Hourly billing has increased, with nearly two-tenths (17%) billing 8 hours or more a day, with 66% of lawyers indicating they work in law offices with no yearly billing requirement.

Law offices are providing more benefits and observing more holidays in 1999. Nearly half (45%) of members receive bonuses, as compared to 38% in 1994. Retirement benefits have increased by 100% (up from 25% to 52%), as have maternity leave benefits (up from 17% to 37%). Holiday observations increased overall by 23%, with the observation of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day increasing by an average of 60%.

State Bar Members were asked their opinion regarding several issues impacting West Virginia's legal community. Over half (59%) believe the Lawyer Disciplinary System is just right in terms of strictness, an increase of 29% since 1994, and "good" (53%) in terms of quality, an 11% increase. Nine in 10 (93%) support continued discipline self regulation by the State Bar. Nearly two-thirds (62%) of State Bar members believe the unauthorized practice of law by non-lawyers in the state is an increasing problem, up from 54% in 1994. Opinions regarding the Pro-Bono Referral Project have not changed since 1994, with 25% participating, and 38% indicating their lack of participation due to their donation of pro-bono work for other causes.

West Virginia attorneys are willing to spend more for CLE programs in 1999, with 46% reporting that $125 is a reasonable fee for a full day program. In addition, those who report attending CLE programs conducted by organizations other than WV CLE'S, believe the WV CLE programs are equal in quality (56%) to those of other organizations, but nearly one-quarter (20%) believe they are not as good. Eight in ten attorneys believe the 24 hours of mandatory CLE in a 2 year period is "about right" (up 3% from 79% in 1994).

Three-quarters (75%) of West Virginia State Bar members indicate they are also members of the local bar association, and 43% report being members of the West Virginia Bar Association (down 17% from 60% in 1994). Nearly eight in ten (79%) West Virginia attorneys believe the current state bar membership dues of $50 to $195 per year is "about right." This is an increase of nearly one-tenth (9%) since 1994 when membership dues ranged from $35-$175 per year. Although Bar members believe the current membership dues are fair, they do not support an increase in dues to fund lawyer discipline, the pro-bono referral project, or for a toll-free telephone line for members.

Over three-quarters (76%) of State Bar members are not active members of any of the State Bar committees (an increase of 10% since 1994). Thirty percent indicate their professional commitments are too great, while nearly one fourth (23%) indicate personal commitments are too great. Sixteen individuals say they have not been invited to participate in any State Bar committees.