- Admission as Member of Bar or Court.
Any person who is admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia and who is in good standing as a member of its bar, is eligible for admission as a member of the bar of this court. An eligible attorney may be admitted as a member of the bar of this court upon motion of a member (Sponsoring Attorney) who shall sign the register of attorneys with the person admitted. If the motion for admission is granted, the applicant shall take the attorney's admission oath or affirmation, sign the attorneys' register, and pay the clerk the admission fee.
Once admitted under this provision, the person need not have an office for the practice of law in West Virginia to appear and practice in this court.Any person who has been subject to disciplinary suspension or disbarment by the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals but has been readmitted to practice by the Supreme Court and is in good standing as a member of its bar, is eligible for re-admission as a member of the bar of this court. The attorney may be re-admitted as a member of the bar of this court upon motion of a member (Sponsoring Attorney) who shall sign the register of attorneys with the person re-admitted. If the motion for re-admission is granted, the applicant shall take the attorney's admission oath or affirmation, sign the attorney's register, and pay the clerk the admission fee.
- Sponsorship of Visiting Attorneys by Members of Court.
The Sponsoring Attorney must be a member of the bar of this court, have an office for the practice of law in West Virginia, and practice law primarily in West Virginia.
- Appearance by Assistant United States Attorneys and Assistant Federal Public Defenders.
Any attorney employed by the United States Attorney or the Federal Public Defender for this judicial district must qualify as a member of the bar of this court within one year of his or her employment. Until so qualified, the attorney may appear and practice under the sponsorship of the appointing officer.
- Appearance by Federal Government Attorneys.
Federal government attorneys who are not members of the bar of this court need not complete the Statement of Visiting Attorney. In cases where the United States Attorney is associated with other government attorneys in proceedings involving the Federal government, the United States Attorney (except in student loan collection cases), in addition to other Federal government attorneys, shall sign all pleadings, notices, and other papers filed and served by the United States. All pleadings, notices, and other papers involving the Federal government may be served on the United States Attorney in accordance with the service requirements of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure.
Admission of Attorneys