MANDATORY CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION UPDATE

The West Virginia Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Commission met on January 24, 2000.

Current members of the Commission include Charles S. Piccirillo, Esq., Dr. Elayne Abnathy, Steven K. Nord, Esq., Edward P. Tiffey, Esq., Melissa L. Flowers, Esq., Patrick I. Via, Esq., Donald J. Tennant, Jr., Esq., Dr. Olen Jones, and Pamela L. Kandzari, Esq.

Dr. Olen E. Jones, Jr., was appointed as MCLE Commission Chairperson.

Donald J. Tennant, Jr., and Pamela L. Kandzari were appointed to the Committee for Review of Publication and Teaching Credit.

The Commission reviewed requests for conditional (audio/video) exemptions for the 1998-2000 reporting period, and requests to complete the Bridge-the-Gap course by audio or video tape.

Established a policy to process future requests to complete the Bridge-the-Gap course by audio or video tape.

Approved two sponsor requests for Presumptive Accreditation: Greater New Orleans Barge Fleeting Association and Neighborhood Legal Services Association.

Decided that no MCLE credit is available for service in the Teen Court program as established in the West Virginia Code Section 49-5-13-d(c)(1). The MCLE Rules were promulgated by the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals. Any rule changes must be approved by the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals.

If the Monongalia Teen Court program has a training session for those members of the Bar who participate in the program, the sponsor may seek approval of the training sessions by submitting a detailed agenda of the topics covered and a brief biographical sketch of the instructors.

Considered a need for a policy regarding a time limit for a Circuit Court Judge or Supreme Court Justice who leaves the bench and goes inactive, then decides to return to the active practice of law.

Denied a request for carryover of MCLE credit. After much discussion including personal comments of Commission members licensed in other jurisdictions, the Commission members believe that our requirement to complete twenty-four credits over a two-year reporting period provides adequate time to complete the number of required credits without a need for carryover. Commission members noticed that most states that allow carryover of credit usually had a one-year reporting cycle.