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Week of February 16, 2009

2009 Judicial Evaluation Poll Results

The 2009 Judicial Evaluation Poll closed last Friday with 705 total ballots being cast. Thank you to everyone who participated in this year's poll. Please click here to view the results.

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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 this Thursday for a hot breakfast and great start to your workday.

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Austin Bar Member's Networking 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? Would you like to meet some new Austin Bar members? 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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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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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 this week at Docket Call. Come mix and mingle over cocktails provided by Barry & Loewy.

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Texas Women Lawyers CLE: Constructing Your Practice, February 20

Date: Friday, Feb. 20
Time: 8:15 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
Location: AT&T Executive Education and Conference Center, 1900 University Ave.
CLE: 6.25 hours
Cost: $170 for TWL members; $195 for TWL non-members; $125 for judiciary; $70 for students

The Texas Women Lawyers invite you to take advantage of 6.25 hours of beneficial CLE covering topics ranging from Persuasive Communication to Mentoring and Marketing. Register here to learn from such distinguished members of the judiciary as Justice Jan Patterson and Judge Suzanne Covington.

For more information, please contact Mary Evelyn McNamara at 472-5456 or mmcnamara@mailbmc.com.

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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 or have any questions, please to contact Dustin Howell at dustin.howell@courts.state.tx.us.

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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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Take a Law Student to Work, February 16 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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Gala and Auction Benefitting CASA of Travis County, February 21

Date: Saturday, Feb. 21
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Four Seasons Hotel, 98 San Jacinto Blvd.

CASA of Travis County recruits, screens, trains, and supervises volunteers to provide “guardian ad litem” representation for abused and neglected children to help them reach a safe and permanent home. The proceeds from this year's Casablanca inspired gala will provide funding to keep this essential program running for years to come.

You are invited to join them in celebrating and supporting CASA's unique opportunity to help children in need and honor Judge W. Jeanne Meurer’s outstanding support of CASA and the children of Travis County. For more information such as event pricing, click here. Please RSVP by Saturday, Feb. 14.

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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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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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Featured Austin Bar Corporate Partner: Pro Doc

Pro Doc saves you many hours of valuable time each week with easy-to-use products especially created to automate your document drafting and help you master your law practice. Pro Doc's eFiling fee is just $1. Pro Doc can generate firm-wide reports in all firm eFiling and eService activities. Visit www.prodoc.com. For more information call Tom Schoolcraft at 800/759-5418.

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Upcoming Meetings

SECTIONS:
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

Tuesday, February 24 - CAFA Section Meeting

Tuesday, February 24 - Health Law Section Meeting

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

Tuesday, February 24 - Judicial Affairs Committee Meeting

Friday, February 25 - Law Day Committee Meeting

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

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