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Week of February 23, 2009

Take a Law Student to Work, Through March 13

If you are someone that can commiserate and sympathize with the uncertainties that plague law students, then you are also someone who can help by taking a student to work with you. Allow a law student a look into your daily routine.

Trial, hearing, deposition, negotiation, mediation, jail release -- all are on-the-job activities that a law student can benefit from shadowing you. If you are interested in taking part in this activity, e-mail ayla@law.utexas.edu with a brief description of the activity, the tentative time and date, and how many students you are able to accommodate. You may contact Jay Ellwanger at 539-2630 or jellwanger@dpelaw.com with any questions.

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Solo/Small Firm Section 4th Annual CLE Seminar, February 26

Date: Thursday, Feb. 26
Location:Austin Bar Association, 816 Congress Ave., Suite 700
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Early Registration Cost: $65 for Members, $85 for Non-Members, $50 for Students
Late Registration Cost (after Tuesday, Feb. 24): $75 for Members, $100 for Non-Members, $50 for Students
CLE: 3.25 hours including 1.25 ethics
RSVP to Michelle McFadyen at Michelle@austinbar.org

The Solo/Small Firm Section invites you to their 4th Annual CLE Seminar this Thursday. Take part in interesting topics such as Referral-Fee Ethics, Web site Do's and Dont's, and Avoiding the Grievance Process.

Register today with Michelle McFadyen at Michelle@austinbar.org to take advantage of the early registration price break.

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Texas International Law Journal Symposium, February 26 - 27

Date: Thursday, Feb. 26 and Friday, Feb. 27
Location:University of Texas Law School, 727 E. Deen Keaton St.
Cost: Attending is free for both attorneys and the public. Please see below for CLE cost.
Topic: China's Emergence: Effects on Trade, Investment, and Regulatory Law
CLE: Attorneys may apply for 8 hours of CLE that has been broken up into two four-hour blocks. Each block costs $120.

The Texas International Law Journal at The University of Texas School of Law invites members of the Austin Bar Association to its 2009 Symposium. The Symposium will offer a wide array of distinguished speakers covering this unique and timely topic. Please visit the Symposium's Web site to register for CLE credit and view the schedule of events.

Any questions can be sent to tiljsymposiumeditor@yahoo.com.

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Members Only Free Fourth Friday CLE, February 27

Date: Friday, Feb. 27
Location:Austin Bar Association, 816 Congress Ave., Suite 700
Cost: Free; lunch provided by IronStone Bank
Topic: Local Travis County Rules & Decorum
Speaker: Warren Vavra
CLE: 1 hour
RSVP to Mollie Gallagher at Mollie@austinbar.org

Take advantage of one of the great benefits your Austin Bar membership affords you, and join us for an afternoon of free lunch and free CLE. Warren Vavra will be this month's guest speaker and seats are sure to fill up fast. Please RSVP by noon on Thursday, Feb. 26 to Mollie Gallagher at Mollie@austinbar.org to reserve your spot.

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AYLA's Understanding Financial Statements CLE, February 27

Date: Friday, Feb. 27
Location:Fulbright & Jaworski, 600 Congress Ave., 23rd Floor Conference Meeting
Cost: Free
CLE: 1 hour
RSVP to Julie Wright at jwright@fulbright.com

AYLA knows that being able to read and quickly decipher financial statements is a critical skill in today's legal practice. This program will provide lawyers a better understanding of the various types of financial statements, teach attorneys where to look for key information, and discuss various legal principles and tactics surrounding these important documents. The discussion will be led by Prateek V. Shah, a Certified Public Accountant with significant experience working on large litigation engagements.

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Leadership Austin: Engage Speaker Series Breakfast, March 3

Date: Tuesday, March 3
Location: Chez Zee, 5406 Balcones Drive
Cost: $25 ($20 for members of the Essential Class Alumni Association)
Time: 7:30 to 8:00 a.m. – Networking and Breakfast; 8:00 to 9:00 a.m. – Presentation

The most recent available American Hospital Association survey reports that Central Texas hospitals spent almost $500 million to care for the un- and under-insured in Central Texas. Historically, teaching hospitals, academic physicians, and residency programs form the backbone of the nation’s healthcare safety net. Teaching hospitals, which represent 30 percent of all hospitals, provide 80 percent of the charity care delivered in the country. Recent news has highlighted a potential affiliation agreement between the Seton Family of Hospitals and the University of Texas that would allow the Seton system to serve as the primary teaching hospitals for an Austin-based medical school. Where does this potential agreement stand? What are the advantages and disadvantages of a regional medical school in Central Texas, and how might it impact the healthcare safety net in this region?

Speakers:

  • Susan Davenport - Vice President, Business Retention and Expansion, Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce
  • Dr. Sam Shomaker - Seton Family of Hospitals
  • Discussion moderated by Jim Walker - Executive Director, Central Texas Sustainability Indicators Project
For information on Leadership Austin please visit www.leadershipaustin.org. To register for the Engage Speaker Series, please clickhere.

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Limited Scope Representation Comes to Travis County, March 4 and March 18

Sometimes a client does not require your full time or attention. This is the perfect instance to draw up a contract for Limited Scope Representation. This is the concept of providing only specified legal services to a client, rather than handling all aspects of a client’s case.

There are two upcoming opportunities for you to learn more about Limited Scope Representation; a great way to gain from an expanded market of persons who are able to afford some legal assistance.

Date: Wednesday, March 4
Location:Green Pastures, 811 W. Live Oak St.
Time: noon
Cost: $18 for Family Law Section Members, $20 for Non-Members of the Family Law Section, and $25 at the door
CLE: .75 hours
RSVP to abafls@yahoo.com or 472-1311.

Date: Wednesday, March 18
Location:Ned Granger Building, Commissioner's Courtroom, 314 W. 11th St., 1st Floor
Time: 10:45 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Cost: $5
RSVP to the Lawyer Referral Service at leslie@austinLRS.com or 472-1311.



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National Healthcare Decision Day Preparation, March 5

Date: Thursday, March 5
Location: Seton's Administrative Office Building, 1345 Philomena St.
Time: 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Cost: Free
CLE: 1 hour
RSVP to Julie Wright at jwright@fulbright.com

Seton Family of Hospitals is partnering with AYLA for National Healthcare Decision Day on Thursday, April 16. Healthcare Decision Day is a nationwide effort to call attention to the importance of every adult taking the time to complete Advanced Directives. These directives allow individuals to make healthcare choices prior to a time when they may lose capacity to make healthcare decisions. Some studies show that as many as 80 percent of adults do not have Advanced Directives! AYLA would like to be part of changing that statistic and helping people understand that it is never too soon to put your wishes in writing. Seton and AYLA will be conducting a series of "Education Day" workshops during the week of April 13 through 17 and are looking for attorneys who can volunteer two hours of time during that week to assist with the workshops.

The training will provide education on the following topics:

  • Four Types of Advance Directives: Directive to Physicians Family or Surrogates, Medical Power of Attorney, Out-of-Hospital Do-Not-Resuscitate Order, Declaration for Mental Health Treatment
  • How to complete the forms for these Advance Directives
  • Witnessing requirements for the forms
  • When the directives are/are not in effect
  • Process for resolving conflicts that may arise at the end-of-life
Please RSVP to Julie Wright at jwright@fulbright.com if you plan to attend the training and would like to volunteer for two hours the week of April 13 through 17.

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Settlement Week, March 16 - 20

Travis County Settlement Week is a partnership between the Dispute Resolution Center, the Travis County Judges, and the Austin Bar Association. This spring's Settlement Week will be held March 16 - 20.

Settlement week packages are available below and at the following locations:

  • on the Dispute Resolution Center website at www.austindrc.org;
  • at the Dispute Resolution Center, 5407 North IH-35, Suite 410, Austin;
  • on the Austin Bar Association website at www.austinbar.org;
  • at the Austin Bar Association, 7th Floor, Suite 700, 816 Congress Avenue, Austin;
  • at the information desk on the first floor of the Courthouse;
  • from Jason Snell, Chair of Settlement Week Committee, The Snell Law Firm, 818 West 10th Street, Austin.
For questions about Settlement Week forms, please contact Rita Rancken at the Dispute Resolution Center at 512/371-0033.

The completed case submission sheet must be submitted to the Dispute Resolution Center (5407 North IH-35, Suite 410, Austin, TX 78723) no later than 4:00 p.m., Friday, February 27, 2009. The forms must be received by 4:00 p.m. to be assigned.

Settlement Week package: Click here for Informational Letter and Click here for Submission Sheet.



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Women's Resource Fair Needs Your Help, March 28

The Austin Young Lawyers Association is holding the second annual Women's Resource Fair for homeless and low-income women on Saturday, March 28 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. at the Schmidt-Jones Family Life Center, 1300 Lavaca Street (Across from the First United Methodist Church).

Last year, 130 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 20 lawyer volunteers. Even more attendees are expected this year. In addition to the services from last year, dental care, hair stylists and others will be added.

Like last year, attendees will be able to access a legal clinic staffed with lawyer volunteers. It will be a one-day only event for the lawyers; they'll just be there to counsel and advise. Any follow-up that's needed will be handled by Texas RioGrande Legal Aid or by a referral to Volunteer Legal Services. Lawyers will be needed for morning (9 a.m. to 12 p.m.) and afternoon (12 p.m. to 3 p.m.) shifts, but of course, if anyone wants to stay all day, that's fine too! Contact Heather Godwin at hgodwin@trla.org to volunteer for the legal clinic, indicating which shift you are available for.

Also needed:

  • Volunteers to help set up on Friday afternoon/evening and to break down after the event on Saturday afternoon. Volunteers are also needed throughout the day on Saturday to help with registration, intake, childcare, and the clothing closet. Please contact Lauren Kleine or Cindy Tom at womensresourcefair@hotmail.com or 343-7887 to volunteer.
  • Clothing donation 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 Friday, March 27 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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Advertise with Austin LSA for Free

Are you looking for qualified applicants? Are you needing to save money on advertising for that open position? Austin Legal Secretaries Association offers free postings on its career center board to assist you in filling your staffing needs. The postings are available for viewing on Austin LSA's Web site at www.austinlsa.org. However, Austin LSA respects your privacy and only releases information regarding the posting upon proof of membership in Austin LSA. Please contact Mary Bernal at mbernal@lglawfirm.com or 322-5838 for more information.

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Featured Austin Bar Member Opportunity: Ski-L-E

Date: March 15, 17, and 18
Location: 365A Deer Valley Drive, Park City, Utah
Time: 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Cost of CLE: $25 for Austin Bar and AYLA Members; $45 for Non-Members
CLE: 6 hours
RSVP to Janet Yastic at jyastic@taylordunham.com or 473-2257.

Who said Spring Break is only for college students? Hit the slopes in Park City, Utah during the day and earn CLE in the evenings. Whether you're a Bunny Slope Rookie or a Black Diamond Pro, this is a perfect opportunity to combine work and play.

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Upcoming Meetings

SECTIONS:
Tuesday, February 24 - CAFA Section Meeting

Tuesday, February 24 - Health Law Section Meeting

Wednesday, February 26 - Solo/Small Firm ˝ Day CLE

Thursday, February 27 - Bankruptcy Law Section CLE

Wednesday, March 4 - Labor & Employment Law Section CLE

Thursday, March 5 - Civil Appellate Law Section 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 Mollie@austinbar.org or call 472-0279 with your name and the name of the committee.

Wednesday, February 25 - Law Day Committee Meeting

Wednesday, February 25 - Women's Resource Fair Committee Meeting

Friday, March 6 - Women's Resource Fair Committee Meeting

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