Section 110. Exemptions; newly admitted members; limited patent, trademark, copyright, and unfair competition admissions

A. The Rule exempts from the certification requirement two specific categories of active members: a newly admitted member or a person admitted to practice solely in response to the provisions of § 54.1-3901 (limited patent, trademark, copyright and unfair competition practice), of the Code of Virginia.

B. A newly admitted member is exempt from filing a certification for the reporting period in which he is first admitted to practice in the Commonwealth. A newly admitted member will not receive credit under this chapter for attending or teaching any course prior to his admission to the Virginia State Bar.

EXAMPLE: Attorney A is first admitted to practice law in October 1986. Attorney A is not required to comply with the minimum continuing legal education requirement of the Rule and this chapter by taking or teaching approved courses until on and after July 1, 1987. Attorney A also shall not be required to file the certification required by 15VAC5-70-80 until June 30, 1988. If Attorney A attends or teaches approved courses between October 1986 and July 1, 1987, he may "carry over" to the next reporting period credits in accordance with 15VAC5-70-20. Attorney A, beginning on July 1, 1987, will be subject to said requirement as long as he is an active member of the Virginia State Bar.

C. An active member admitted to practice only under the provisions of § 54.1-3901 of the Code of Virginia, which limits a member to the practice of patent, trademark, copyright, and unfair competition causes, is also exempt from the requirements of the rule.

Historical Notes

Derived from VR167-01-601 § 11, eff. July 1, 1991; amended, Volume 11, Issue 11, eff. July 7, 1993.

Statutory Authority

§ 54.1-3910; Part 6, §IV, Paragraph 17 of Rules of Virginia Supreme Court.