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Week of December 3, 2007
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Memorial in Honor of Frank Douglass, December 4
The first Austin Young Lawyers Association President, Frank Douglass, passed away on Friday, Nov. 23 in Dallas. Frank was one of the country's most respected and highly-regarded oil and gas lawyers.
Frank's life was marked by many instances of his caring and compassionate nature. When Austin attorneys and judges founded Austin Lawyers Care (now Volunteer Legal Services), a volunteer legal assistance program to assist those unable to afford legal services, Frank was among the first to commit his time and resources to the program.
The memorial service will be held Tuesday, Dec. 4 at 2:00 p.m. at University Methodist Church in Austin, located at 24th and Guadalupe (parking is available for the service at the Platinum Parking Lot at 25th and Guadalupe).
In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make a memorial contribution may consider Volunteer Legal Services of Austin, The University of Texas School of Law (Frank Douglass Endowed Presidential Scholarship), Southwestern University in Georgetown, and Bee Creek United Methodist Church in Spicewood.
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AYLA Members Holiday Party, December 6
Time: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Location: Cedar Street, 208 W. 4th St.
AYLA members are invited to ring in the holiday season at Cedar Street. Food and drinks will be provided thanks to Boyken, Newhouse & Noblin Legal Search Consultants, Rainmaker Document Technologies, and Waddell-Reed.
Also, don’t forget all proceeds from the purchase of Marie Hejl’s first cookbook by AYLA members, "Cooking With Marie: On Any Occasion!", will be donated to AYLA's Holiday Baskets project. Partygoers may purchase a cookbook and have it signed at the party!
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A Holiday Gift From the Bar, December 7
Time: 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. with a Happy Hour following
Location: 816 Congress Ave., Suite 700
Cost: FREE
CLE: 3 hours of Ethics CLE
Is all you want for Christmas three hours of Ethics CLE? The Bar would like to give you the gift of FREE Ethics this holiday season. This is an especially valuable gift for those who have yet to obtain the required three hours of Ethics CLE for this year.
Speakers include:
Dicky Grigg;
Tom Watkins;
Steve McConnico;
and Claude DuCloux.
Also, what's a holiday gift without festivities? The Bar invites you to stay for a wine and beer Happy Hour accompanied by the beats of latin jazz band Señor Gato.
All inquiries and RSVP’s should be sent to Michelle McFadyen.
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Legal Build Home Dedication, December 8
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Location: 7001 Frontera Trail
A very lucky family will be receiving the ultimate holiday gift. A new home!
The hard work of the many lawyers who dedicated their time and energy to Legal Build will be recognized at the home dedication ceremony. The Bar invites you to come out, meet the Martinez family, and celebrate the spirit of giving.
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Volunteer Legal Services Divorce Basics Seminar, December 14
Time: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Location: Austin Bar Association, 816 Congress Ave., Suite 700
CLE: 6.5 hours and 1.0 hours of ethics
VLS is holding a nuts and bolts seminar to train lawyers who do not typically practice in this area how to handle divorce and custody cases.
The seminar is free for attorneys who agree to take two divorce or custody matters within a 12-month period. Otherwise, the cost is $180. Register by contacting Anna K. Meyers at 476-5550, ext. 304 or akmeyers@vlsoct.org.
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State Bar Hosting YouTube Contest, Deadline December 15
Texans have the chance to win $2,500 by creating a three minute video based on the theme "Texans Capturing the Promise of Justice for All" in the state bar's "Lone Star Stories: Texans on Justice" YouTube competition. Winners will be announced in January and will be honored at the January State Bar of Texas Board of Directors Meeting.
More information can be found at the Texas Bar Web site.
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8th Annual Minority Hiring Report Card
The Hispanic Bar Association of Austin, the Austin Black Lawyers Association, and the Austin Asian Bar Association have released the 8th Annual Minority Hiring Report Card. Now in its eighth year, the Minority Hiring Report Card grades the 25 largest law firms in Austin on the percentages of minority attorneys in the firms. This year, the report card shows that minority attorneys comprise 11.4 percent of the attorneys in Austin's 25 largest firms, an increase over last year’s 10.7.
In a change from previous years, this year's Minority Hiring Report Card is weighted in favor of law firms that have minority partners and hire minority law clerks, an issue that the Joint Committee debated for quite some time.
According to this year's report card, seven law firms earned an "A" grade for exceptional minority hiring and recruitment efforts. The report card is accompanied by a Progress Report showing minority hiring grades earned by Austin law firms over the past eight years.
Click here to view the press release, report card, and progress report.
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Help AYLA Spread Holiday Cheer
Date: Friday, December 7
Time: 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Location: Fiesta Mart
It's that time of year again - AYLA is gearing up to put on its annual Holiday Baskets project, and they need YOUR help!
The goal of this year's Holiday Baskets project is to provide approximately $135 worth of groceries and gifts each to 75 Austin-area families who need assistance during the holidays. AYLA raises money, buys groceries, and on Saturday, Dec. 8, will pack and deliver the groceries to the families.
We still need funds to meet our goal. Donations are fully tax-deductible (your canceled check is your receipt), and for only $135, AYLA can provide for an entire family! Send checks made payable to "AYLA Foundation" to Austin Young Lawyers Association, Attn: Debbie Kelly, re: Holiday Baskets, 816 Congress Ave., Suite 700, Austin, Texas 78701.
We also still need volunteers to help load the truck on Friday night, Dec. 7, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Please contact Mari Robinson at 305-7084 or mari.robinson@tmb.state.tx.us to volunteer.
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Adoption Day Family Needs YOUR Help This Holiday Season!
The Bar staff has developed a tradition over the years of adopting a family during the holiday season. This year, the Bar would like to show it’s appreciation to a family that has done some adopting of their own.
On Austin Adoption Day, this family welcomed four boys ranging from 18 months to 9 years of age into their home. The three school-age boys are all making great strides in the classroom now that they have a stable, loving home. The oldest son has even changed his name to match that of his adoptive father because he would like to grow-up to be just like him!
The Bar wants to make this holiday season a special one for a family that has so generously welcomed four boys at a time of year that is often financially difficult. You can help by making a cash or gift donation.
The boys’ clothes sizes are as follows:
Nicholas (9 years old) – jeans size 16 husky, shirts small to medium mens
Josh (8 years old) – jeans size 6 to 7, shirts medium
Jeremiah (7 years old) – jeans size 5 to 6, shirts small to medium
A few gift ideas include:
Nicholas (9 years old) – art supplies
Josh (8 years old) – musical instruments
Jeremiah (7 years old) - spider man and video games
John (18 months old) – toddler toys and stuffed animals
Nicholas’s wish to Santa was that his brothers and adoptive parents have the best Christmas. The Bar hopes to make that happen with your help.
All donations can be brought to the Austin Bar Association office at 816 Congress Ave., Suite 700.
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The Jack Jenkins Debate Opportunity Fund
The Bar asks you to join us in contributing to the Jack Jenkins Debate Opportunity
Fund, an endowed charitable fund of the Austin Community Foundation. Our contributions to this fund will help memorialize Jack, who tragically died last summer at age 17, and will help economically disadvantaged central Texas high school debaters in perpetuity.
Established by Jack’s parents, Scott and Sarah Jenkins, the goal of the Jack Jenkins Debate Opportunity Fund is to reduce the economic barriers for high school students who demonstrate an aptitude for debate but who are otherwise unable to participate meaningfully in competitive debate because they are financially disadvantaged.
Scott and Sarah Jenkins have contributed the initial $50,000 to start the Fund. We hope to raise an equal or greater amount. With an endowment of $100,000, the Fund should generate interest of at least $5,000 per year to contribute to debate programs.
You may make a tax-deductible contribution online by clicking here or you may mail a contribution to the Austin Community Foundation address above, noting that it is for the Jack Jenkins Debate Opportunity Fund. If you are willing to volunteer to be a mentor for an economically disadvantaged debater or debate team, please contact Jan Soifer at jan@lasfirm.com or (512) 583-0451.
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New Phone System at Court Administrator's Office
Due to the large volume of calls received at the Court Administrator’s Office, a phone tree system was installed on October 1, 2007. The phone tree system is designed to enable the Court Administrator’s Office to process your calls more efficiently.
The following is a summary of the menu options:
Press 3 for information concerning Visiting Judges or the Duty Judge
Press 4 for questions related to a Family Law or District Court Docket
Press 5 to make a ‘Ready Announcement’
Press 6 to make a setting, reset a case, or pass on a setting
Press 7 for information concerning cases scheduled for DWOP (Dismissal for Want of Prosecution).
Press 8 for assistance with all other inquiries
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Attorney Volunteers Needed to Give Advice on Debt Issues
Volunteer Legal Services needs attorney volunteers to give advice on debt matters at their Monday and Wednesday night legal advice clinics. The clinics begin at 6 p.m. and typically end by 8:00 p.m. Volunteers need some experience in debt and bankruptcy law matters. Please contact Anna K. Meyers at 476-5550, ext. 304 or at akmeyers@vlsoct.org to volunteer or if you have any questions.
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Office Furniture for Sale
The Bar is selling lightly used office furniture at a very affordable price.
There is one table up for grabs for the low price of $35. The tabletop measures 5’ long and 2.5’ wide. It stands a little over 2’ tall.
Three armchairs are also available at $35 each. They have blue upholstery and the legs are wood.
Please contact Debbie Kelly if interested in purchasing any of these pieces.
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Upcoming Meetings
SECTIONS:
Tuesday, Dec. 4 - Solo/Small Firm Section CLE
Wednesday, Dec. 5 - Family Law Section CLE
Thursday, Dec. 6 - Environmental, Natural Resources, & Water Law Section CLE
Tuesday, Dec. 11 - Real Estate Law Section Breakfast CLE
Tuesday, Dec. 11 - Civil Litigation Section CLE
Wednesday, Dec. 12 - Oil, Gas & Mineral Law Section CLE
Wednesday, Dec. 12 - Business, Corporate and Tax 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 to receptionist@austinbar.org or call 472-0279 with your name and the name of the committee.
Thursday, Dec. 13 - Bench Bar Committee Meeting
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Proud corporate sponsors of the Austin Bar Association
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