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Week of January 25, 2010
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Include the 2010 Austin Bar Foundation in Your Weekend Plans
Date: Saturday, Jan. 30
Time: 6:30 – Cocktails; 8:00 – Dinner
Location: Austin Music Hall, 208 Nueces
For those attending this weekend's Austin Bar Foundation Gala, here are some tips:
- Don't forget to bring your tickets to the event. This will ease check-in and get you into to the party faster. Tickets are being mailed today so watch for them in the mail this week.
- Parking is available at the State lot at 3rd and Nueces for $7. This might be the quicker option since we are expecting close to 500 attendees. You may choose to valet your vehicle at the entrance of the Austin Music Hall. This is free of charge aside from tipping the attendant.
- Dress is Texas Tuxedo – for men, this means jeans, boots, and a tuxedo jacket. Also appropriate are full tuxedos or dark suits. For women, cocktail dresses with or without cowboy boots or full length dresses.
- Bring your credit card so that you won't miss out on the many fantastic items in the live and silent auctions!
Visit the Austin Bar Web site for a list of items and donors.
If you have yet to purchase your tickets, you may do so through Tuesday, Jan. 26.
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Austin Lawyer's Support Group, Jan. 28
Date: Thursday, Jan. 28
Time: noon
Location: Austin Bar Association, 816 Congress Ave., Suite 700
Topic: Cognitive Behavior Therapy
Please join the Austin Lawyers Support Group for their first meeting as Mary Boone speaks about Cognitive Behavior Therapy. This therapy focuses on identifying and reframing thinking errors that lead to negative feelings which, in turn, lead to problematic or self-defeating behaviors. It's a mind and mood-altering experience without chemicals, hangovers, or risk of legal problems!
Meetings are confidential. For more information, please call Texas Lawyers Assistance Program at 1-800-343-8527.
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Free CLE Training Seminar on Children's Medicaid Appeals, Jan. 29
Date: Friday, Jan. 29
Time: noon
Location: Austin Bar Association, 816 Congress Ave., Suite 700
Cost: Free for those who agree to handle two Medicaid appeals during calendar year 2010. The seminar will cost $190 for other attendees.
In partnership with Advocacy, Inc. and Texas Legal Services Center, Volunteer Legal Services is holding an all day CLE seminar. It will be a nuts-and-bolts type training so no previous experience in health care law is required. Paralegals who have a supervising attorney to assist as needed are welcome to attend.
Download the event brochure and register online.
Please contact Anna K. Meyers at 476-5550, ext. 304 or akmeyers@vlsoct.org for additional information.
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Austin Bar Judicial Preference Poll to Launch Feb. 1
Austin Bar members will have a chance to vote electronically or in person during the bi-annual Judicial Preference Poll, Feb. 1 through Feb. 12.
The Preference Poll includes only contested local judicial races, except for the Third Court of Appeals which is covered by the State Bar in their preference poll. For each race, Austin Bar members are asked to indicate which candidate they believe is best qualified to serve in the position for which he or she is running. You do not have to vote in every race. The results are strictly the opinions of the individual attorneys returning their ballots and are not intended as an endorsement of any candidate or candidates by either the Austin Bar Association or any affiliated organization.
If the Austin Bar Association has your e-mail address, you should receive an e-mail from Ballot Box inviting you to participate in the poll. Please set your spam filter to allow receipt of e-mails from BallotBox@BallotBoxOnline.com. For those who have not provided an e-mail address to the Austin Bar or who choose to vote in person, voting is available in the Austin Bar office at 816 Congress Ave., Suite 700 during the voting period.
Please contact Kat Hinson at 472-0279 with any questions about the Judicial Preference Poll.
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Labor & Employment Section Day-Long CLE, Feb. 5
Date: Friday, Feb. 5
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 4:10 p.m.
Location: Austin Bar Association, 816 Congress Ave., Suite 700
CLE: 6.5 hours
Cost: $49 for Labor & Employment Law Section members, $79 for Austin Bar Association and AYLA Members, $149 for nonmembers. Austin Bar Association members who are not members of the Labor & Employment Section may join for $20.
RSVP to Michelle McFadyen at 472-0279, x111.
The Labor & Employment Law Section invites you to join them for a Day-Long CLE worth 6.5 hours of CLE. With 11 topics offered, you are sure to learn something new and helpful. Click here for a list of topics.
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AYLA Looking for Volunteer Mock Trial Judges, Feb. 6
Austin Young Lawyers Association is seeking volunteers willing to serve as judges for the Central Texas High School Mock Trial Competition on Saturday, Feb. 6. This competition allows teams of high school students from area schools to prepare and present all aspects of a mock trial (opening argument, closing argument, direct and cross examination of several witnesses). The winning team advances to the State Mock Trial Competition in Dallas with possible advancement to the national competition.
Mock trial experience is not necessary to serve as a judge. There is virtually no advance preparation needed (all judges will receive information describing the relevant issues). The time commitment is minimal--each round lasts approximately two hours--and CLE credit is available. The competition will take place in the Travis County Courthouse at 1000 Guadalupe.
If you can volunteer a couple of hours on Saturday, Feb. 6 to help some potential future lawyers, please contact AYLA Mock Trial Committee co-chairs Nicki Glauser nglauser@velaw.com or Brad Compere bradleycompere@yahoo.com.
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Save the Date: Legislative Committee Meeting, Feb. 12
Date: Friday, Feb. 12
Time: 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Location: Austin Bar Association, 816 Congress Ave., Suite 700
Cost: Free. You may purchase a lunch or bring a brown bag.
CLE: 1.5 hours of CLE
RSVP to Marissa Lara-Arebalo at 472-0279, x0.
Join the Austin Bar Legislative Committee Meeting at the Austin Bar offices Feb. 12. They will discuss the legislative process and key issues impacting the profession and the civil justice system. Local senators and representatives will be invited and attendees will be led in a discussion by Dicky Grigg, Jay Harvey, and David Courreges among others.
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Women's Resource Fair Needs Your Help, March 27
The Austin Young Lawyers Association is holding the third annual Women's Resource Fair for homeless and low-income women on Saturday, March 27 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. at the Schmidt-Jones Family Life Center, 1300 Lavaca St. (Across from the First United Methodist Church).
Last year, close to 400 homeless and low-income women and children came to the fair and were able to access medical care, social services, resume writing workshops, and clothing in addition to legal services provided by lawyer volunteers. Even more attendees are expected this year.
The WRF Committee is asking for donations of water bottles, small umbrellas, hotel size toiletries, notepads, and pens. The WRF Committee would also appreciate donations of canvas bags to make it easier for attendees to tote these things. Please bring all donations to the Austin Bar Association, 816 Congress Ave., Suite 700. Debbie Kelly is available to answer any questions you have at 472-0279, x105 or Debbie@austinbar.org.
Clothing donations are needed for this year's clothing closet. Women's business casual attire (especially larger sizes) and children's clothes are needed most. Please bring all donations by Thursday, March 25 to the Austin Bar Association office at 816 Congress Ave., Suite 700. Please contact Michelle McFadyen at Michelle@austinbar.org or 472-0279, x111 with questions.
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SBOT 2010 YouTube Contest - The Importance of the Legal System
Calling all budding actors, producers, and directors! The State Bar of Texas is holding its annual YouTube Contest and is looking for participants to creatively answer the following questions: Why are lawyers important to our society? How is the court system important to our society?
Contestants should answer either of those questions in a short 30 second, family-friendly video that flows like a public service announcement. To enter, submit your video to www.youtube.com/group/texansonjustice by Thursday, April 1. You must also mail an original copy of your video on DVD or videotape to YouTube Contest, c/o State Bar of Texas, Attn: Judy Marchman, 1414 Colorado St., Austin, TX 78701. Include your name and YouTube username on the copy.
There will be divisions for participants who are over and under 18 years of age. If a contestant is under 18 years old, he or she must submit a signed parental permission form found at www.texasbar.com/texansonjustice. Division winners will receive $500, an expenses-paid trip to the awards presentation in Austin in April, and the chance for their video to be made into a PSA for the State Bar. A People's Choice Award will also be selected.
Lights, camera, action - it's time to roll the footage and see what kind of acting chops the members of the Austin Bar have.
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Featured Member Discount: Law Firm Merchant Account
There's never been a better time to begin accepting credit cards in your firm! Use credit cards to gain new clients, quickly get paid, and reduce collections in 2010. Save up to 25 percent off processing fees when you switch to the Law Firm Merchant Account.
For a limited time, open a Law Firm Merchant Account at NO COST! The contract is month-to-month and all standard fees associated with opening a merchant account are waived. Begin accepting credit cards and guarantee payment for your legal services.
Today through Feb. 12, 2010, the $150 virtual terminal start-up-fee is waived for all Austin Bar Association members. Call 866/376-0950 or click here.
About the Law Firm Merchant Account
The Law Firm Merchant Account, credit card processing for attorneys, is a custom payment solution. AMS examined the requirements for handling client funds and developed a solution that resolves the ethical dilemma attorneys face when processing credit cards. The Law Firm Merchant Account is approved and recommended by over 50 bar associations as the correct way to accept credit cards.
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Upcoming Meetings
SECTIONS:
Thursday, Jan. 28 - Solo/Small Firm Section Meeting
Wednesday, Feb. 3 - Family Law Section Meeting
Friday, Feb. 5 - Labor & Employment Law Section Day-Long CLE
COMMITTEES:
The following Austin Bar Committees are meeting at the Austin Bar office, 816 Congress, Suite 700.
Parking is available in the adjacent garage, accessible from 9th Street. Please feel free to attend any that interest you.
Since lunch is provided, please RSVP by noon the previous day to Marissa@austinbar.org or call 472-0279 with your name and the name of the committee.
Wednesday, Jan. 27 - Women's Resource Fair Committee Meeting
Tuesday, Feb. 2 - Bench Bar Sponsorship Subcommittee Meeting
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Proud corporate sponsors of the Austin Bar Association
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