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Week of November 17, 2008
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Mike Wilkenson
As many of you know, for the past two years, the Austin Bar Association has organized an annual "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" fundraiser to help fight Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. ALS, better known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that attacks the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, and eventually kills victims two to five years after diagnosis. There is no cure.
The ALS fundraisers were inspired by Nancy Matchus, a former Assistant City Attorney, and Austin attorney Michele Morgan, whose husband Mike Wilkenson was diagnosed with ALS almost two years ago. Mike died peacefully Sunday night. Michelle is a past chair of the Court Appointed Family Advocates Section of the Austin Bar and has been active in Austin Adoption Day since its inception. She and Mike have three young children.
Mike's funeral service will be held Sunday, Nov. 23 at 2:00 p.m. at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, 8134 Mesa Drive, Austin, 78759. For directions to the church, please visit their Web site at www.stmattsaustin.org.
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Volunteers Needed for Pick Me! THIS WEEK
The Pick Me! Committee needs your help this week! This is your chance to take part in a worthwhile and fun youth project that will help high school students understand the importance of jury duty.
The program involves a three-day curriculum which includes the history of the jury system on Day 1, a mock voir dire conducted by attorneys and judges on Day 2, and a video trial on Day 3. We are looking for attorney and judge volunteers for the weeks of November 11 through December 12 for the Day 2 mock voir dire.
Sign up now! A list of class dates, times, and locations can be found here. Please e-mail Brooke Williams at Leslie.dippel@co.travis.tx.us and Robert Robinson robert.robinson@oag.state.tx.us.
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Rise and Shine! Austin Bar's Breakfast with the Judiciary, November 20
Date: Thursday, Nov. 20
Time: 7:30 to 8:30 a.m.
Location: Austin Bar Association, 816 Congress Ave., Suite 700
Cost: $20 (includes breakfast and parking validation)
RSVP: Advance reservation and pre-payment are required. Reserve your spot by contacting Michelle McFadyen at Michelle@austinbar.org or 472-0279 x111. Please send your check to Michelle McFadyen at the Austin Bar Association, 816 Congress Ave., Suite 700, Austin, Texas 78701.
Join Chief Justice-Elect to the Third Court of Appeals Woodie Jones for this month's Breakfast with the Judiciary. Don't miss a great opportunity to visit with Justice Woodie Jones and to partake in a hot breakfast.
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Immigration Law Primer CLE, November 21
Date: Friday, Nov. 21
Time: 9:00 a.m. to noon
Location: Austin City Hall City Council Chambers
The Austin Human Rights Commission, the Commission on Immigrant Affairs, the Hispanic Bar Association and the Austin Bar Association are co-sponsoring an Immigration Law primer for judges, magistrates, and attorneys.
The training will include presentations by Christina Playton, Esq. Assistant Chief Counsel with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Department of Homeland Security and Thomas Esparza, Jr. Attorney at Law – Board Certified Specialist Immigration and Nationality Law.
Please call Judge John Vasquez at 974-4838 for more information.
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13th Annual Austin Bar Association's Criminal Law Retreat, November 21 - 22
Date: Nov. 21 - 22
Location: Fredericksburg Inn & Suites, 201 S. Washington, Fredericksburg
Join the Austin Bar and Criminal Law Section for the 13th Annual Criminal Law Retreat in Fredericksburg!
Attendees will have the opportunity to attend a wine tasting and a dinner honoring Ronnie Earle. Join guest speakers as they celebrate Earle's retirement from 30 years of service as District Attorney.
With accommodations provided by Fredericksburg Inn & Suites and Inn on Baron's Creek, the Criminal Law Retreat is more than an opportunity to earn 6.5 hours of CLE. It's a chance to escape for a quick weekend away.
Please click here for a schedule of events and registration form. Forms may be faxed to 473-2720 or mailed to: Austin Bar Association, 816 Congress Ave., Suite 700, Austin, Tx 78701.
Contact Michelle McFadyen (472-0279 x111) or Carol Tobias (472-0279 x106) with any questions about the weekend.
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Santa Brings a Law Suit, December 1 - 12
This year's AYLA Santa Brings a Law Suit service project will benefit Lisa's Hope Chest. An Austin-based, non-profit organization, Lisa's Hope Chest provides gently-used professional clothing free of charge to men and women in need. This clothes closet is different from others because it is designed specifically to help individuals in transition.
Approximately 90 percent of Lisa's clients are re-entering the workforce out of the prison system and need suits and work attire to make this transition possible. By donating your own gently-used office wear, Austin Bar and AYLA members can help these individuals get back on the right track and on their own feet. For those of you that cannot spare a suit, a pair of slacks, or tie, Lisa will also take shoes, socks, jeans, t-shirts, and other casual clothing items. She is especially in need of clothing for men.
Please drop-off your generous clothing donations at the following Comet Cleaners locations:
- 2401 Lake Austin Blvd. (472-4676)
- 1220 Barton Hills Drive (443-8883)
- 501 W. 15th Street (236-1118)
- 3637 Far West Blvd. (338-0141)
Donations may also be dropped off at Sumpter & Gonzalez at 206 E. 9th St, Suite 1511. In fact, if you call ahead someone will meet you at your car to pick them up from you.
Help us make this holiday season a little brighter for someone starting a new chapter in their life. Contact Sumpter & Gonzalez at 381-9955 with questions regarding drop-off.
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E-Filing 101: Upcoming E-Filing Changes and Important Operational Dates, December 2
Date: Tuesday, Dec. 2
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Location: County Clerk's Training Center, 5501 Airport Blvd.
CLE: 1 hour
Cost: free
RSVP to Erica Lopez at Erica.Lopez@co.travis.tx.us or 854-9737.
The Travis County District Clerk, along with the County Clerk and District Judge John Dietz, is extending an invitation to the Austin and Travis County legal community to attend E-Filing 101. The event will include one hour of free CLE credit as well as important information about the recent electronic filing mandate for additional case types in Travis County courts.
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Be a Part of Gala 2008: An Enchanted Evening on the Emerald Isle
The annual Austin Bar Foundation Gala is an integral fundraiser that finances the many community oriented projects of the Austin Bar Association. Without the generous amount of time and donations made by members like yourself, the Gala could not continue to be the success it has been in years past.
This year's Gala Committee is actively searching for those that would be interested in serving on the Gala Auction Subcommittee. This team will solicit donations ranging from adventurous to luxurious to relaxing for the Silent, Super Silent, and Live Auctions.
If interested in participating, please contact David Whittlesey at 499-6200 or dwhittlesey@akingump.com.
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Help Spread Holiday Cheer with AYLA's Holiday Baskets
AYLA has been working hard to organize its 26th Annual Holiday Baskets Project. Each year, this project provides groceries and gifts to approximately 75 local families in need. This year, AYLA’s goal is to provide holiday dinners, toys, 100-minute phone cards for calls to loved ones, and a legal-resource guide with information on a wide variety of legal issues. It will require a lot of volunteer support and approximately $135 per family (i.e., $10,125 total) to provide all of these things this year. In other words, the project will not succeed without generous donations of time and money.
Volunteers are needed to purchase, sort, package, and deliver the gifts and groceries. The greatest need will be on December 12-13: the day before and the day of delivery. If you would like to volunteer, please contact Monty Exter at mexter@atpe.org or 467.0071. If you would like to donate money, please send your tax-deductible donation, payable to the AYLA Foundation, to:
Austin Young Lawyers Association
Attn: Mollie Gallagher (RE: Holiday Baskets)
816 Congress Ave., Ste. 700
Austin, TX 78701
All donations are greatly appreciated. Special acknowledgment will be given to those who donate at the following levels: Platinum ($1,000 or more) — recognized as a platinum sponsor in Austin Lawyer, named on a placard at the AYLA Christmas Party, and identified as a platinum sponsor to the families; Gold ($750-$999) — recognized in Austin Lawyer as a gold sponsor and identified as a gold sponsor to the families; and Silver ($500-$749) — recognized in Austin Lawyer as a silver sponsor.
If you have any questions about Holiday Baskets, please contact Kennon Peterson (kennonpeterson@hotmail.com or 463.1353), Chris Popov (cpopov@velaw.com or 542.8636), Dustin Howell (Dustin.Howell@courts.state.tx.us or 463.1326), or Monty Exter. Thanks in advance for your consideration and support!
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Featured Member Seminar Opportunity: A Presentation for Business Leaders on Eldercare and Trends
Austin Bar members are invited to attend a presentation developed by the MetLife Mature MarketInstitute on care giving and its implications for employers. Peter Berardino will discuss care giving’s impact on your workforce, its financial impact, and workplace solutions for both employees and employers, including long-term care insurance.
Date: Thursday, Dec. 4
Time: 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Location: Winestyles, 4301 W William Cannon #190 - wine and cheese will be provided
For directions or to confirm your attendance, contact Peter at 482-9026 or pberardino@metlife.com.
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Upcoming Meetings
SECTIONS:
Wednesday, November 19 - Administrative Law Section Meeting
Wednesday, November 19 - Solo/Small Firm Section Meeting
Thursday, November 20 - Business, Corporate & Tax Law Section Meeting
Thursday, November 20 - Civil Appellate Law Section Meeting
Thursday, November 20 - Construction Law Section Meeting
Friday, November 21 - Estate Planning & Probate 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.
Wednesday, November 19 - Women's Resource Fair Committee Meeting
Tuesday, November 25 - Judicial Affairs Committee Meeting
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Proud corporate sponsors of the Austin Bar Association
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