West Virginia Association for Justice Membership
The West Virginia Association for Justice is the only statewide association dedicated to making sure that plaintiffs’ attorneys have the resources they need to effectively represent their clients. There is no better investment you can make in your practice and your career than joining the West Virginia Association for Justice today!
Attorney Membership Benefits
Education
WVAJ helps members stay current on the law and advance their practices through ongoing continuing legal education opportunities. Our programs feature some of the leading plaintiffs’ attorneys in West Virginia and throughout the United States, providing you with opportunities to learn from the foremost legal experts in their fields. CLEs are provided through our mid-winter and annual conventions, special seminar programs and online through SeminarWeb Live. Members pay a discounted fee for convention programs; other seminars are offered to WVAJ members exclusively.
Experience
There is no substitute for experience. One of the most valuable aspects of your membership is immediate access to other WVAJ members—members with extensive experience and special areas of expertise who can help you when you need it. Through our member listserv, you can get information, share ideas and post questions about cases, strategies, experts and resources. Whether you need sample pleadings, updates on a particular legal issue or background on the expert witness tendered by the defense counsel in your case, our listserv can get you the information you need and get it to you quickly.
Advocacy
WVAJ is the state’s leading advocate for protecting our civil justice system and the rights of all West Virginians. This is done through an active governmental affairs program, amicus support in relevant cases, public education and through our affiliated political action committee.
Governmental Affairs
WVAJ works with elected officials at all levels of government to protect the civil justice system and ensure that all West Virginia consumers, workers and businesses have equal access to our courts. In addition to work on issues central to the civil justice system, we also work to improve state laws concerning consumer protection and workplace safety. Members may contact WVAJ for information on regulatory agencies and rule-setting, introduced bills as they move through the legislature, information on elected officials and other resources. WVAJ also provides trainings to help members work effectively with lawmakers and other public officials on issues central to our common goal—a fair and just legal system that protects the rights of all West Virginians.
Amicus Committee
WVAJ advocates for you and your clients in our courthouses through our Amicus Committee. Our committee provides amicus support in cases important to our civil justice system and the public.
Public Education
WVAJ works to educate the public about the importance of the civil justice system and their right to trial by jury while also providing critical information about tort reform and the corporate special interests and their front groups who are trying to take those rights away. Through an aggressive earned media relations program, WVAJ counters the misinformation in West Virginia media. WVAJ provides informational materials and other resources to consumers through its website, partner organizations and its affiliated group, the West Virginia Consumers and Victims Coalition for Insurance Reform.
LAWPAC
LAWPAC is the affiliated political action committee of the West Virginia Association for Justice. After careful review of all legislative candidates, contributions to LAWPAC are used to support candidates committed to protecting our civil justice system and the rights of all West Virginians.
Brief Bank, Expert Witness Bank and TrialSmith
The West Virginia Association for Justice provides its members with several informational resources that can help you in your legal practice. Our expert witness bank has information on more than 100 plaintiff and defense expert witnesses. The WVAJ Brief Bank provides members with case filings, depositions and other resources solely from West Virginia cases. (Application to the WVAJ Brief Bank is separate from your membership application.)As a member, you also have access to TrialSmith, the largest online deposition bank for plaintiff’s attorneys with more than 200,000 depositions, information experts including trial testimony, verdict and settlement data and more.
Membership Discount Program
WVAJ discount programs are designed to enhance your membership investment by helping to control your firm's costs. WVAJ creates partnerships with reputable businesses that offer valuable services with quality and competitive prices.
Use of WVAJ Offices
The West Virginia Association for Justice headquarters is located just one block from the state capitol and includes a private office with a computer and Internet access where members can work while in Charleston. The office also has two large conference rooms where you can schedule meetings and depositions.
Networking
WVAJ schedules several opportunities throughout the year for its members to network with each other and discuss their cases and the law in a social setting.
Communication
To ensure that members have updated information about important developments in our state and federal courts, state government and in the media as well as on-going information about WVAJ activities, we offer several resources. You will receive regular informational e-mails, and additional updates are provided on the WVAJ website. In addition, you will also receive E-Clips, a free daily e-mail digest of national news articles and opinion pieces of interest to plaintiff lawyers.
WVAJ AFFINITY PARTNERS
.jpg)
