Established: 1947
Total Number of Members: 5,500
Out of State Members: 1,054
Membership is: Mandatory
Membership in Other Bar Associations: American Bar Association, National Conference of Bar Presidents, Southern Conference of Bar Presidents, National Association of Bar Executives

Bar Profile:
The West Virginia State Bar was established in May, 1947. It is the mandatory/unified Bar organization for the 4,500 active practicing lawyers in the state. It works closely with the other statewide Bar organizations including the Mountain State Bar Association, the West Virginia Trial Lawyers Association, the Defense Trial Counsel of West Virginia and the West Virginia Bar Association.

The West Virginia State Bar was initiated through an Order of the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals. It serves as an administrative agency of the Court. The operation of the State Bar is financed by the membership dues and fees paid by State Bar members - no state taxpayers money is involved.

The mission of the State Bar is to improve the administration of justice in the state, provide legal services and assistance to the citizens of West Virginia and initiate beneficial programs and activities for the members of the legal profession. Two top priorities of the State Bar are the ethics and professionalism of lawyers as well as their continuing legal education.

The State Bar has instituted many important endeavors including the Lawyer Disciplinary Board, the Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Program, the Interest on Lawyer Trust Account Program in cooperation with the West Virginia Bar Foundation, the Court Annexed Mediation System, the Lawyer Information Service, the Lawyer Referral Service, Citizenship and Law Related Education Programs, the Children and the Law Commission, the TechNet System, the Judicial Evaluation Poll, the Coming of Age booklets, senior citizen pamphlets, the Advance Directives booklet and many more.

There are 32 separate Committees within the State Bar, covering every aspect and type of legal practice. The Young Lawyers Section is a leader in many aspects of the Bar's operation.

The Annual Meeting of the State Bar is held during the last part of April or first week of May at locations around the state. Hundreds of State Bar members attend this event to hear excellent speakers, attend worthwhile seminars and participate in State Bar work.

The West Virginia State Bar is a member of the Southern Conference of Bar Presidents and participates actively at the regular meetings of the American Bar Association, the National Association of Bar Executives, the National Conference of Bar Presidents and the National Association of IOLTA Programs in cooperation with the West Virginia Bar Foundation. The West Virginia State Bar was one of the implementers of the Attorneys Liability Protection Society (ALPS).

View Current Officers & Leadership >>

President
Robert D. Fisher
P.O. Box 326
Ripley, WV 26271
Phone: 304-372-6191
Fax: 304-372-2175
Email: adamsfisher@citynet.net

President-Elect
Steven Johnston Knopp
PO Box 722
Williamson, WV 25661
Phone: 304-235-6011
Fax: 304-235-6023
Email: stevenjk@1stcounsel.com

Vice President
Dwane L. Tinsley
PO Box 11070
Charleston, WV 25339
Phone: 304-346-5500
Fax: 304-346-5515
Email: dwane@handl.com

Executive Director
Thomas R. Tinder
2006 Kanawha Boulevard, East
Charleston, WV 25311
Phone: (304) 558-7993
Fax: (304) 558-2467
Email: tindert@wvbar.org

Contacts

Continuing Legal Education Director
Hope L. Gresham
Phone: (304) 558-7992
Email: greshamh@wvbar.org

Law Office Management Director
Thomas Tinder
Phone: (304) 558-7993
Email: tindert@wvbar.org

Membership Director
Cheryl L. Wright
Phone: (304) 558-0828
Email: pettyc@wvbar.org

Public Information & Services
Kathy Henning
Phone: (304) 558-1044
Email: henningk@wvbar.org

Alternative Dispute Resolution Director
Connie Blessing
Phone: (304) 558-7994
Email: blessingc@wvbar.org

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