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Top Story
Referendum
Voting Deadline is December 20th
By Cade W. Browning
Referendum
2004 involves changes to referral
fee practices and advertising rules.
Although you may not be among the
11,766 attorneys who voted during
the online voting period, it is
not too late to cast your ballot.
Attorneys who did not vote electronically
were sent paper ballots, and traditional
voting continues through December
20th.
Why is your vote
important? In Texas attorneys have
the unique privilege of self-regulation.
More than a privilege, Texas attorneys
have the responsibility to participate
in decisions impacting the manner
in which we conduct business as
a profession.
Will your vote really have an impact?
Absolutely! (More
info.)
Feature
Affiliate
TYLA
Roadshow:
Partnering with Lubbock YLA, Midland
YLA, and Odessa YLA
If
you are active in your local bar
association, regardless of size,
providing member services is likely
a key challenge. It is also an
important force in recruiting
and retaining active members.
This challenge is even greater
if you do not live in a major
metropolitan area ... and the
entire population of young lawyers
in your area can be counted within
a matter of minutes or sometimes
seconds. Recognizing that a strong
local bar association benefits
both the profession and the community,
TYLA has developed a program to
help TYLA affiliates provide member
services. The process begins with
leaders from three West Texas
affiliates. (more
info)
Feature
TYLA Project
19th
Annual Off-Campus Recruitment Program:
A Win-Win Prospect for Employers
and Texas Law Students
The
Texas Off-Campus Recruitment Program
is a unique recruiting opportunity
for employers seeking to hire law
students for summer clerkships or
new associate positions. All nine
Texas law schools participate in
the program, which allows employers
a one-stop shopping opportunity
to interview law students from Baylor,
St. Mary's, South Texas College
of Law, SMU-Dedman,TSU-Thurgood
Marshall, Texas Tech, Texas Wesleyan,
University of Houston Law Center,
and the University of Texas.
Whether
this is used as the only recruiting
tool or a supplement to a formalized,
annual recruitment program, employers
will find this a superb opportunity
to interview a wide range of candidates
at minimal expense and with a minimal
investment of time. This
year's Employer Registration deadline
is January 10, 2005. (more
info)
Article
of Interest
Court
Amends Various Rules of Procedure
in Accordance with H.B. 4
By Cade Browning
On October 7, 2004,
the Texas Supreme Court announced
changes to five civil procedure
rules and one judicial administration
in response to the Tort Reform Statutes
of the 2003 legislature. These rules
impact process servers, guardian
ad litems, exemplary damages, jury
instructions, and appeals seeking
pre-trial orders in multi-dstrict
litigation cases. (Cont.)
Tips
for Young Lawyers
How
to Prepare a Needs Analysis for
Technology
Reprinted
with permission from the State Bar
of Texas Law Office Management department.
For additional publications visit
www.texasbarlom.com
Introduction
The world of office automation is
constantly expanding. It would be
senseless to think that anyone could
make an effective decision regarding
technology, without a carefully
thought out analysis of need. Following
is a list of questions to ask yourself
in the process of determining what
fits your practice needs best.
Checklist
1. Which functions are automated
now - which additional functions
do we wish to automate?
2. Are existing pieces of equipment
mutually compatible?
3. Does everyone in the office use
the same software?
4. Are our word processing procedures
standardized?
5. Is our billing system interfaced
with accounting?
(Cont.)
TAKE
NOTE
State
Bar Sections Want You!
The Sections of
the State Bar of Texas want you to be
a part of something great!
Membership and involvement in State
Bar sections enables you to gain maximum
career potential, study issues, express
ideas, enrich your personal development
and strengthen the legal profession
in our State. Landmark State Bar legislation,
including the revision of the Family
Code, was produced by sections.
State
Bar President Kelly Frels was instrumental
in creating a new initiative for sections
in the last fiscal year, bringing
enhanced State Bar services to sections
and increasing member awareness and
involvement with sections. The initiative
is continuing in the current Bar year,
so its an exciting time to get involved.
There
are 42 sections with diverse memberships
and focus areas. Sections offer several
benefits to Texas attorneys, such
as discounts for CLE programs, newsletters
and journals; networking opportunities;
and leadership development. For more
information or to join a State Bar
section, visit www.texasbar.com or
contact the Sections Department at
1-800-204-2222 x1425.
Help
Improve the Jury System!
The
National Center for State Courts has
undertaken its National Program to
Increase Citizen Participation in
Jury Service, a multi-phase project
designed to promote public awareness
and understanding of jury service
and to support state and local courts
in their efforts to improve the jury
system. The Center is seeking information
from lawyers and judges about local
jury trial practices and procedures. Please take
a few moments to complete their online
survey. Your input is greatly appreciated.
Access
the survey
Next
Month: Look for upcoming
information about TYLA's exciting
new project "American Juror:
The Decision is Yours".
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