Due to technical discrepancies in the effective dates within Senate Bill 442, which created a new grievance board and modified the grievance procedure (effective on passage - March 7, 2007) , the Governor issued an Executive Order to alleviate the "technical discrepancy" in the effective date of the Bill and the provisions found therein. Executive Order No. 2-07, signed by Governor Manchin on May 8, 2007, turns back the hands of time to pre-Senate Bill 442.
Many attorneys interpreting the new law took notice that it took effect from passage and recommended an immediate change to procedures to be in compliance. You may even have been in attendance at a workshop at our offices where we, too, made that observation. To address that issue, and without advance notice, the Governor issued Executive Order No. 2-07 to chart the course of transition between May 8, 2007 and July 1, 2007.
As a result, the old grievance procedures, including the old forms, the four levels and the old procedural rules, are again in effect and will remain in effect through June 30, 2007. The new grievance board and new grievance procedures found in Senate Bill 442 will not take effect until July 1, 2007. The only revision to the old rules that takes effect now is that extensions of the time limits must be "to a date certain by mutual agreement of the parties."
As a result, do not repeal your local grievance policies and continue to operate under W.Va. Code 18-29-1, et seq. through June 30, 2007.
Printz Honored as Foundation Fellow
Chazz Printz, a Bowles Rice partner in the Martinsburg office, has been selected as a 2008 West Virginia Bar Foundation Fellow. Foundation Fellows are lawyers whose professional, public and private careers have demonstrated outstanding dedication to the welfare of their communities and honorable service to the legal profession.
Lovely Among Nominees for “Hero of the Year”
Bernie Lovely, a Bowles Rice partner in the firm’s Lexington office, was among the nominees honored on April 17 by the Bluegrass Chapter of the American Red Cross for its “Hero of the Year”Award.
McMillan Elected to State Bar Board of Governors
Stuart McMillan, a partner in the Charleston office of Bowles Rice, has been elected to the Board of Governors for the West Virginia State Bar. He will be representing Kanawha County in District 8 for a three-year term. This is his second term on the Board of Governors.
Bowles to Receive Star Award
Nate Bowles, a Bowles Rice partner and a member of the litigation practice group in the Charleston office of Bowles Rice, received the 2008 Star Award from Legal Aid of West Virginia during its annual Breakfast with the Stars event on May 1. The award recognizes Nate’s commitment, service and support to LAWV.
