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Week of February 19, 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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President Jo Ann Merica Responds to Mayor Will Wynn’s Comments
Monday’s issue of The Austin American-Statesman featured an article on Mayor Will Wynn’s comments made during his commencement speech at Texas A&M University. The article included part of Austin Bar President Jo Ann Merica’s response.
To view the arcticle, click here and scroll to the bottom.
Her full response is as follows:
“I've reviewed the DVD. While these comments are ill-conceived, they are part of a prepared commencement speech. My reaction is that use of the term "bloodsucking lawyer" by the mayor of our great city is very disappointing. Will Wynn is surrounded by lawyers who serve the public in this community--he sees them on the City Council, in our legislature and state and city offices, as volunteers in charitable activities. It was exceedingly poor judgment and a disservice to the Bar to characterize the legal profession in this manner. While encouraging graduates to assume leadership roles in government, this was not a model leadership moment.”
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Austin Bar Implements New Phone System
The Austin Bar Association is happy to announce the installation of a new phone system at the Bar office. The new system is efficient and will make reaching your desired party easier.
After calling the main phone number, 472-0279, you will be prompted to enter the extension of the staff member or department you wish to reach:
- Dues information or membership: Dial 2
- CLE events: Dial 3
- AYLA: Dial 4
At any point during the greeting, you may press 0 for the receptionist. The following are Bar staff extension numbers:
- Mollie Gallagher (Receptionist): 100
- DeLaine Ward (Executive Director): 104
- Debbie Kelly (AYLA): 105
- Carol Tobias (Director of Membership): 106
- Kat Hinson (Director of Communications): 107
- Brooke Williams (Communications Assistant): 108
- Michelle McFadyen (CLE Coordinator): 111
Call the Austin Bar Association if you experience problems with or have questions about the new phone system.
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Austin Bar Member in Serious Car Accident
Austin Bar Member Amy Wright, who practices with her husband Bill Powers, was involved in the fatal wreck on Highway 71. Amy and their daughter, Katy, are in Brackenridge Hospital. If you would like to send a note, you can mail it to Brackenridge Hospital ICU, 601 E. 15th Street, 78701 or the Law Office of William D. Powers, 3200 Steck Avenue, Suite 300, Austin, Texas 78757.
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2007 – 2008 Austin Bar Association Membership Directories
The Pictorial Directories are here! All members may visit the Austin Bar Association to pick-up the 2007 – 2008 Membership Directory. For firms with 25 or more attorneys, please contact the Austin Bar office at 472-0279 to coordinate deliveries.
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Have a Seat on the Bench, February 19 – 29
Date: Feb. 19 – 29
Time: 5:30 p.m.; 12:30 p.m. on Feb. 29
Have you always wanted to be a judge? Here’s your chance.
This year, the Austin Young Lawyers Association will be sponsoring the
Mediation Competition at The University of Texas School of Law by providing judges for the rounds. All preliminary rounds begin at 6:00 p.m. and are 75 minutes long. Judges are asked to arrive at 5:30 p.m. as food and beverages will be provided. The schedule for the competition is as follows:
- February 19 (Tu) @ 5:30 p.m.
- February 21 (Th) @ 5:30 p.m.
- February 26 (Tu) @ 5:30 p.m.
- February 28 (Th) @ 5:30 p.m.
- February 29 (Fr) @ 12:30 p.m.
If you are available to judge a round, please send an email to ayla@law.utexas.edu.
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Breakfast with the Judiciary, February 21
Date: Thursday, Feb. 21
Time: 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.
RSVP: Debbie@austinbar.org
Join Chief Justice Wallace Jefferson for this month's Breakfast with the Judiciary. Start your day off right with a hot breakfast at the Bar!
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Members Only Free Fourth Friday, February 22
Join the Austin Bar for a free hour of CLE for Austin Bar Members!
Date: Friday, Feb. 22
Time: noon
Location: Austin Bar Association, 816 Congress Avenue, Suite 700
Topic: E-Discovery
Speaker: David Halpern
CLE: 1 Hour
Cost: Free, lunch provided.
Thank you to our sponsor, Dominik Kilpatrick with Sente Mortgage.
RSVP to Mollie Gallagher at (512) 472-0279 or receptionist@austinbar.org.
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Become a Leader at the Bar, February 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.
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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.
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.
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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Upcoming Meetings
SECTIONS:
Wednesday, Feb. 20 - Administrative Law Section Meeting
Wednesday, Feb. 20 - Business, Corporate, and Tax Law Section Meeting
Thursday, Feb. 21 - Construction Law Section Meeting
Thursday, Feb. 21 - Alternative Dispute Section Meeting
Tuesday, Feb. 26 - Technology & Computer Law Section Meeting
Thursday, Feb. 28 - Solo/Small Firm 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.
Wednesday, Feb. 20 - Publication Committee Meeting
Thursday, Feb. 21 - People’s Law School Committee Meeting
Tuesday, Feb. 26 - Judicial Affairs Committee Meeting
Thursday, Feb. 28 - Law Day Committee Meeting
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Proud corporate sponsors of the Austin Bar Association
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