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Week of February 25, 2008
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Judicial Poll Results Released
The Bar’s Judicial Preference Poll results were released Thursday, Feb. 14. Click here to view the results.
The purpose of the 2008 Judicial Preference Poll is to give the general public an opportunity to see how local attorneys evaluate the judicial candidates appearing on the ballot for the March primary.
Members cast their votes either online through Austin Bar's proprietary balloting system or in person. Of the 3,567 eligible voters, 825 (23 percent) cast a ballot, one of the highest turnouts for the Preference Poll.
Only contested judicial races are included in the Preference Poll. For each race, Austin Bar members were asked to indicate which candidate they believe is best qualified to serve in the position for which he or she is running. They did 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.
Please contact the Austin Bar at 472-0279, x. 107 with any questions about the poll.
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AYLA Docket Call, February 28
Looking for a way to have a good time and to get to know your fellow young lawyers? AYLA's got you covered - join them Feb. 28 for Docket Call and get your weekend started a little early!
Date: Thursday, Feb. 28
Time: 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Location: Little Woodrow’s, 520 W 6th St
Sponsored by the Austin Bar Civil Litigation Section.
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Nominations for Bar Leadership, Due THIS Friday, Feb. 29
The Austin Bar is seeking members that demonstrate a history of activity within the organized bar to serve as officers and directors for the 2008 - 09 year. Officer positions are one-year terms. Director positions are for two years. Nominees for the office of president-elect shall have served at least two years on the Board of Directors prior to assuming office.
Interested? Please send a resume along with the position title by Friday, Feb. 29 to: Austin Bar Association, Attn: Nominating Committee, 816 Congress Ave., Suite 700, Austin, Tx 78701.
The Nominating Committee’s decision will be announced on or before Saturday, March 15. The number of candidates to be nominated for each position shall be left to the discretion of a majority of the Nominating Committee. Any qualified member not receiving the nomination of the committee may be included on the ballot by submitting a written petition signed by 75 members of the Bar. Such written petitions must be submitted by Thursday, April 10.
Voting shall be conducted at the annual meeting of the membership on Friday, May 2 and via electronic ballot. If there is a contested race, early voting will begin 15 business days prior to the annual meeting on Friday, April 11.
If you have questions about the election process, please contact Austin Bar Executive Director DeLaine Ward at 472-0279, x104.
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UT Law’s Assault & Flattery Presents 2008 Show, February 28 – March 2
Date: Feb. 28 – March 2
Title: A Study Carrell (or How I Learned to Stop Studying and Love the Law)
Time: Evening shows begin at 7:00 p.m.;
Sunday matinees begin at 2:00 p.m.
Location: Texas School for the Deaf, 1102 S Congress Ave
Cost: $12
Based on the Dickens tale, “A Study Carrell” follows Eben Scrooge as he looks back on his three years at the University of Texas School of Law as well as what doom may lie in the future. The show will feature ghosts with god complexes, student revolutionaries, and a new career path for underachieving law students.
Assault & Flattery is one of the largest and oldest organizations at UT Law. More than 70 student members of A&F write, produce, and perform the full-scale musical production. They hope to bring a little joy to students, faculty, and those in the community at large who enjoy the opportunity to poke a little fun at the legal profession.
Please join them for UT Law's best annual tradition. Please see visit http://www.utexas.edu/law/orgs/assault/ for more details.
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Kick-Off AYLA Poker Tournament Committee Meeting, March 4
Date: Tuesday, March 4
Time: 5:30 p.m.
Location: Giordani, Schurig, Beckett & Tackett, 100 Congress Ave., 14th Floor
Participate in organizing the best AYLA party of the year! The annual AYLA Poker Tournament is a fun way for AYLA members to raise money and awareness for projects such as Holiday Baskets, Christmas for Kids, and They Had a Dream Too. Lots of volunteers are needed to make this event the success it has been in the past.
Snacks and adult beverages will be provided for all that attend.
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Volunteer for LegalLine, March 4
Time: 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Location: Lawyer Referral Service of Central Texas, 816 Congress Ave., Suite 700
Volunteer to answer phones for the AYLA/LRS LegalLine program. Held the first Tuesday of every month between 5:30 and 7:30, LegalLine is a legal resource hotline. The commitment is small, just over two hours on a Tuesday night (volunteers are asked to arrive at 5:15 pm for a short orientation). All calls are anonymous, so your commitment ends when you hang up the phone.
Contact Jeannie Rollo at 472-1311 or Jeannie@austinbar.org to volunteer.
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Recognize a Fellow Attorney by March 14
Here’s your chance to acknowledge a fellow attorney who always rises to the occasion. The Austin Bar Association is seeking nominations for two awards that will be presented at our annual Law Day Banquet on Friday, May 2.
Regina Rogoff Award
The Regina Rogoff Award is given annually to an attorney in Travis County that has demonstrated outstanding service in the public/non-profit sector. This award was created as a lasting tribute to the career achievements of Regina Rogoff, who started with Legal Aid in 1973 and was Executive Director for 19 years.
Past Regina Rogoff Award winners include:
2002 Regina Rogoff
2003 Berry Crowley
2004 Betty Bailli Torres
2005 Bree Buchanan
2006 Fred Fuchs
2007 Garth Corbett 08
The Professionalism Award
The Professionalism Award is presented by the Austin Bar Association and Texas Center for Professionalism to a local lawyer who best exemplifies, by conduct and character, truly professional traits, who others in the bar seek to emulate, and who all in the bar admire.
Past Professionalism Award winners include:
2000 Chuck Herring
2001 Xavier Medina
2002 Steve Zager
2003 Tom Watkins
2004 Larry Langley
2005 Mina Brees
2006 Mike McKetta
2007 Claude Ducloux
Please send nominations by Friday, March 14 to DeLaine Ward at Delaine@austinbar.org or Austin Bar Association, 816 Congress Ave., Suite 700, Austin, Texas 78701
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AYLA Seeks Candidates for Board of Directors, March 14
The AYLA is accepting nominating petitions for candidates interested in serving on its board of directors for the 2008-2009 bar year.
To be eligible for a board position, you must be a current AYLA member and be 36 years of age or under as of July 1, 2008 or licensed to practice law in Texas for less than three years. If you would like to run for a position on the board, submit a nominating petition signed by five current AYLA members to Debbie Kelly.
Nomination petitions are due Friday, March 14, 2008 and are available from the AYLA office by calling 472-0279, or by e-mailing Debbie Kelly at Debbie@austinbar.org.
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Smile and Say Cheese! 2008-2009 Membership Directory Headshots, March 17 – 21
Date: March 17 - 21
Time: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Location: Austin Bar Association, 816 Congress Ave., Suite 700
It’s that time of year again…
The Austin Bar is working with a new photographer for the 2008 – 2009 Membership Directory. Matthew Lemke is a professional commercial and portrait photographer in Austin, and specializes in corporate headshots and executive portraits, as well as family portraits. For examples of his work, click here.
Each 15 minute session will cost $15 and is payable upon arrival with cash, check, or credit card. Also, although there is no obligation, participants will have a range of options for purchasing digital files for their own use.
Though we will try to accommodate walk-ins, it cannot be guaranteed and scheduling an appoint is highly recommended. Call Matthew Lemke Photography at 512/970-2633 or e-mail Matt@MatthewLemke.com to schedule your sitting.
The schedule will fill up fast so please make your appointment soon!
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TYLA’s National Trial Competition Coming to Austin, March 27– 28
We all know that some of the best trial lawyers in the country are right here in Austin. In less than a month, 28 teams comprised of some of the best future trial lawyers will be in Austin and are looking for your assistance.
The Texas Young Lawyers Association and American College of Trial Lawyers are recruiting 168 judges to umpire and score the final rounds of the 33rd Annual National Trial Competition. Attorney participants can earn up to five hours of self-study CLE credit while helping the next generation obtain valuable experience and skills.
To participate as a judge, please contact Laura Miles-Valdez at 512/475-4151 or laura.miles-valdez@oag.state.tx.us.
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Travis County Courts Ask for Feedback on E-Courtroom System
The Travis County Courts would appreciate your feedback about the E-Courtroom system in the courtrooms. Click here to find the survey.
The Travis County Courts want to hear about your experience with the E-Courtroom system and what changes would be most beneficial to you. Please fill out the survey and return it to ecourtroom@co.travis.tx.us at your earliest convenience.
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Upcoming Meetings
SECTIONS:
Tuesday, Feb. 26 - Technology & Computer Law Section Meeting
Tuesday, Feb. 26 - CAFA Section Meeting
Thursday, Feb. 28 - Solo/Small Firm Section Meeting
Wednesday, March 5 - Family Law Section Meeting
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 to receptionist@austinbar.org or call 472-0279 with your name and the name of the committee.
Tuesday, Feb. 26 - Judicial Affairs Committee Meeting
Thursday, Feb. 28 - Law Day Committee Meeting
Tuesday, March 4 - Settlement Week Committee Meeting
Thursday, March 6 - Women’s Resource Fair Committee Meeting
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Proud corporate sponsors of the Austin Bar Association
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