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Week of February 9, 2009


Participate in the Judicial Evaluation Poll through February 13

The Austin Bar Association's 2009 Judicial Evaluation Poll was deployed last Monday. The Austin Bar conducts the evaluation poll every two years to give attorneys the chance to evaluate the performance of county, state, and federal judges in Travis County that have been on the bench 18 months or longer. If you have not received your ballot, please ensure that your spam filter is set to allow e-mails from BallotBox@BallotBoxOnline.com.

Voting continues through Friday, Feb. 13, at 4:00 p.m. You may also vote in person at the Austin Bar Association office at 816 Congress Ave., Suite 700. Please take a few minutes to participate in this poll.

Please contact the Austin Bar at 472-0279 with any questions.

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Fit Bar Challenge Event Kickoff, February 13

Date: Friday, Feb. 13
Time: 5:20 p.m.
Location: Castle Hill Fitness, 1112 N. Lamar
Cost: Free

It's time to get moving! Motivate yourself and your staff at next week's kickoff event while learning your way around Castle Hill Fitness.

All fitness levels are welcome and you may choose your Kickoff style. Each class will be led by one of Castle Hill's best instructors:
Health - Fitness Walk & Stretch in the Neighborhood
Fitness Level - Total Body Target Tone Class
Competitive Level - Super Charge Spin Class (*come early to secure a bike)

Contact celeste@castehillfitness.com if you have questions. For more information on the Fit Bar Challenge, click here.

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The Texas Legislative Process: What Every Lawyer Should Know, February 19

Date: Thursday, Feb. 19
Time: 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Location: online
CLE: 2 hours
Cost: $130

What is easier than earning CLE from the comfort of your own computer chair? The State Bar of Texas is bringing this opportunity through a webcast that will include a review of the legislative process, Texas ethics law, and a panel discussion on key issues for the 81st Legislature.

To register for the webcast, click here.

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Trees for Pease Tree Planting, February 21

Date: Saturday, Feb. 21
Time: 9:00 a.m. to noon
Location: 1100 Kingsbury St.

AYLA has partnered with the Austin Parks Foundation in an effort to plant 100 new trees in Pease Park. The Park is in terrible shape after last May's storm. Though this year's planting will help to restore Pease Park, we hope our partnership will grow into an annual reforestation event, planting trees each year with accompanying irrigation systems.

Volunteers will meet at the main entrance of the park where City PARD officials will give a brief tutorial about how to plant a tree. Volunteers will then spread out to the rest of the park to begin work.

Don't worry, the City of Austin has made it easy! They will have pre-dug the holes prior to the event and then refilled them with soft soil. A new irrigation system has been installed and includes 100 tree bubblers. Volunteers will excavate the soft soil and plant the trees. Wear good work gloves and work clothes. Tools will be provided; however, please bring an extra shovel if you have one.

If you are interested in volunteering, please sign up online. If you have any questions, please to contact Dustin Howell at dustin.howell@courts.state.tx.us or by phone.

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Breakfast with the Judiciary, February 19

Date: Thursday, Feb. 19
Time: 7:30 to 8:30 a.m.
Location: Austin Bar Association, 816 Congress Ave., Suite 700
Cost: $25 for breakfast and a parking validation
RSVP to Michelle McFadyen at Michelle@austinbar.org or 472-0279 x111.

The Austin Bar invites you to join U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Craig A. Gargotta at this month's Breakfast. Rise and shine a little earlier next Thursday for a hot breakfast and great start to your workday.

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Austin Bar Member's Social Lunch, February 19

Date: Thursday, Feb. 19
Time:noon
Location: Green Pastures, 811 W. Live Oak St.
Host: Claude Ducloux
Cost: $21
RSVP to Michelle McFadyen at Michelle@austinbar.org or 472-0279 x111.

Looking to get more involved in the Austin Bar? Needing to round-up a few new committee members for an Austin Bar project? As the latest Austin Bar member benefit program, this monthly social lunch hour is the perfect place for new and seasoned members to come together and make the most of their membership.

This month's social lunch will be hosted by Austin Bar veteran Claude Ducloux. Join Claude for the chance to find out how to put your Austin Bar membership to work for you. Meet other members of the legal community and see what the Austin Bar is all about!

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AYLA Docket Call, February 19

Date: Thursday, Feb. 19
Time: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Location: 219 West, 219 W. 4th St.
Cost: Free

AYLA invites you start the weekend fun a little early next week at Docket Call. Come mix and mingle over cocktails provided by Barry & Loewy.

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Viva! Las Vegas Benefitting Capital Area AIDS Legal Project, February 21

Date: Saturday, Feb. 21
Time: 8:00 to midnight
Location: Austin Music Hall, 208 Nueces
Cost: $50 in advance; $60 at the door

Viva! Las Vegas, benefitting the Capital Area AIDS Legal Project at AIDS Services of Austin, is moving back to the Austin Music Hall and will feature for the first time a Fashion Show with a guest celebrity fashion mogul appearance. There will also be VIP lounge seating with seating throughout for all guests.

The revamped classics are still there, including hors d'oeuvres from Austin's top restaurants, faux gambling, fabulous entertainment, live and silent auctions, and the musical styling of DJ Francis Preve.

Enjoy a night of fun and surprises with the rest of the legal community in support of this important cause. To purchase tickets, visit www.asaustin.org or call 406-6115.

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Women's Resource Fair Clothing Drive, Deadline March 27

The Women's Resource Fair Committee is seeking donations for this year's event. Women of all backgrounds attend the event looking for help pursuing a fresh start usually beginning with a job.

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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Featured Member Seminar: Accounting for Attorneys

Date: Friday, Feb. 13
Time:noon
Topic: Your Business & Taxes
Speaker: Britt Leissner
Location: Austin Bar Association, 816 Congress Ave., Suite 700
Cost: Free to members of the Austin Bar and lunch is provided
RSVP to Michelle McFadyen at 472-0279 x111 or Michelle@austinbar.org.

Don't let this tax season interfere with your practice or life. The Austin Bar wants to help prepare you for April 15 and any other accounting snafus that might come your way. Sign-up today for this free seminar open to Austin Bar members only!

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Upcoming Meetings

SECTIONS:
Tuesday, February 10 - Real Estate Law Section Meeting

Wednesday, February 11 - Oil, Gas & Mineral Law Section Meeting

Thursday, February 12 - Financial Institutions Section Meeting

Tuesday, February 17 - Civil Litigation Section Meeting

Thursday, February 19 - Business, Corporate, and Tax Law Section Meeting

Thursday, February 19 - Construction Law Section Meeting

Thursday, February 19 - Technology and Computer 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 by noon the previous day to Mollie@austinbar.org or call 472-0279 with your name and the name of the committee.

Tuesday, February 10 - Women's Resource Fair Committee Meeting

Tuesday, February 10 - Animal Welfare Committee Meeting

Thursday, February 12 - People's Law School Committee Meeting

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