Utah State Bar News & Announcements

The Mississippi Bar and Bar Foundation Relief Fund

The following information is being sent on behalf of the National Association of Bar Executives and the National Conference of Bar Foundations through list serves managed through the ABA Division for Bar Services. Please do not respond to all.

The Weekly Email Newsletter Of The Mississippi Bar September 2, 2005

The Mississippi Bar And Bar Foundation Establish Relief Fund

Due to the devastating impact of Hurricane Katrina on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, The Mississippi Bar and Mississippi Bar Foundation have established the Hurricane Katrina Lawyer Relief Fund to assist lawyers who have lost their offices in the storm. Funds collected will be used to assist lawyers with re-establishing their law offices. Donations should be made payable to Mississippi Bar Foundation and mailed to Hurricane Katrina Lawyer Relief Fund, c/o Mississippi Bar Foundation, P O Box 2168, Jackson, MS 39225-2168.

MS Bar Prepares To Provide Disaster Assistance To Members

While relief agencies and FEMA are currently addressing the basic needs of the victims of Hurricane Katrina, the Bar is looking down the road to help lawyers re-open, re-establish their law offices on the Coast. Many law offices have been completely destroyed. Others have suffered severe damage. All will need help becoming operational again. The Bar is establishing a "Law Office Resource Clearinghouse" to assist lawyers on the coast. Offers of assistance have poured in from Bar Associations, law firms and lawyers across the nation. While the list of resources needed is open-ended at this time, specific needs include temporary office space, used office equipment, used office furniture, etc. Needs may change in the future as communication with lawyers on the Coast becomes available. However, at this time the Bar is soliciting any resources that will assist lawyers in re-opening and operating their law offices. If you would like to help, please email Larry Houchins at houchins@msbar.org. Please include contact information and what resources you have available and are willing to donate.

Young Lawyers Division Disaster Legal Assistance Program Needs Volunteers

The Mississippi Bar YLD Disaster Legal Assistance Committee is soliciting Mississippi attorneys to volunteer to assist in Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. As it has since 1978, the American Bar Association and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) utilize the ABA YLD in staffing a toll-free hotline open to disaster victims needing legal assistance and providing on-site legal assistance at Disaster Recovery Centers.

Volunteer attorneys are needed for both:

Telephone legal assistance - agreeing to answer legal questions from disaster victims. Hurricane Katrina victim will call the Bar Center. An intake form will be filled out. Intake form will be faxed/emailed to the volunteer attorney. Volunteer attorney will respond to victim by telephone.

On-site legal assistance - be willing to man the Disaster Legal Assistance table at a MEMA Disaster Recovery Center on the MS Gulf Coast once they are set up. Please be advised - those going to the Coast will need to bring own provisions and be working in extremely primitive conditions, sleeping in cars, etc. Initial shifts will be 2-3 days.

Please email to mhenry@msbar.org indicating which assistance you can offer. Provide your name, county, phone, fax, and email. You will receive reference materials and further instructions.

PLEASE VOLUNTEER TODAY!!

MS Supreme Court To Issue General Order Next Week

The Carroll Gartin Justice Building has been impacted by Hurricane Katrina. The building has been without power and water since Monday. Chief Justice James Smith has contacted The Mississippi Bar and asked the Bar to assure the lawyers of Mississippi that the Court will issue a General Order early next week addressing many of the questions and issues that have arisen as a result of Hurricane Katrina.

Southern District Federal Courts Affected By Hurricane Katrina

With the advent of Hurricane Katrina, some of Mississippi's Federal courts have been affected. Please note the following information: The Gulfport federal courthouse is closed until further notice. The Hattiesburg federal courthouse is closed until power is restored. The Jackson clerk's office will accept filings for both the Hattiesburg and Gulfport divisions. The caption should read exactly as it would if filed in Gulfport or Hattiesburg. The electronic filing system is down at this time, though they are working to have it operational VERY soon and will post updates and messages on that site. In the meantime, they are accepting conventional filing (i.e. hand-delivery or mail). If you mail, it will be considered filed as of the date of mailing. The clerk's office suggests that you note at the top of your pleading that it is not being electronically filed due to inability to access the filing system as a result of the disaster.

Notice From The U.S District Court For The Northern District

Telecommunications links to and from the United States District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi are down because of Hurricane Katrina. The court cannot predict when communications will be restored. Effective immediately, and until otherwise directed by the court, attorneys are directed to file all pleadings and case-related documents with the clerk's office and judges' chambers in paper format, according to traditional practice standards, and to mail copies of documents and certificates of service to all other parties. Attorneys should expect the court's electronic case filing and management systems to be out of service for the foreseeable future. The court will post further directives on its Internet website when the website is restored to service. The website is: www.msnd.uscourts.gov. This directive applies to all cases in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi, in Oxford, Aberdeen, and Greenville.

Notice To Attorneys And Litigants From The Fifth Circuit Court Of Appeals

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals has provided the following information for attorneys and litigants: (1) Do not send any filings or documents to New Orleans at this time. (2) All filing deadlines on or after August 24 through September 9 are automatically subject to further extension. Before filing, check the Internet website (www.ca5.uscourts.gov). Also attorneys and litigants are directed regularly to check the website for additional instructions and information. True emergency matters, e.g. death penalty cases with execution dates, or deportation matters with an imminent and confirmed deportation dates, may be filed by FAX at 713-250-5050 or mailed or delivered to the Chambers of Chief Judge Carolyn Dineen King, Rm.
11020, 515 Rusk Street, Houston, Texas 77002.

Suspension Of Standard Mail And Periodicals Mail Acceptance To Storm-Stricken Areas

Effectively immediately, the Postal Service is not accepting any Standard Mail or Periodicals Mail (from any source) addressed for delivery within the following three-digit ZIP Code ranges: 369, 393, 394, 395, 396, 700, 701 and 704. This emergency action has been taken as a result of severe facility damage, evacuations and other issues resulting from Hurricane Katrina. The Postal Service is formulating plans to address the handling of Standard and Periodicals Mail already in the mailstream and addressed for delivery to these eight ZIP Code areas.

ABA Establishes Website For Disaster Assistance

ABA has established a website to assist those attorneys who are providing assistance to people whose lives have been shattered. The website will be continually updated over the coming weeks as more information and resources are made available. The website may be accessed via the ABA homepage at www.abanet.org where you can volunteer to provide legal assistance, find information on making donations for disaster relief and receive guidance on how you can most effectively help the victims of the hurricane. For our members directly impacted by the disaster, resources are available on rebuilding a law practice and disaster recovery plans. In addition to providing assistance to lawyers, the ABA website also serves as a valuable resource for the general public, offering referrals, hotline numbers, assistance for military personnel, small business owners and others.

Check the NABE web site http://www.nabenet.org for information about upcoming meetings and handouts from past meetings, as well as to find policies from other bar associations on various issues. Bookmark this URL so you can access it quickly and easily!

September e.Bulletin

Fall Forum On Deck – November 11, 2005
2005 Fall Forum Awards
First 50 Event – October 15, 2005
Judges’ Benchbook Available
Utah State Courts Launch Divorce Education for Children Pilot Project
Bar Sharks Pool Tournament

Fall Forum at Little America On Deck – November 11, 2005

The 2005 Fall Forum is less than two months away. This dynamic program includes some great keynote sessions and excellent CLE breakout sessions. The program will also include a Veteran’s Day Salute featuring Major General Brian L. Tarbet, Keynote, the Portia Group, on “Strategic Non-Verbal Communication for Lawyers", followed by five separate tracks for breakout sessions including two from UCC expert Barclay Clark. You don’t want to miss this value-packed day of practical CLE programs, valuable exhibitors and worthwhile prizes. The Fall Forum will be held at the Little America Hotel in Salt Lake City. For more information and to register: www.utahbar.org/cle/bar_meetings.html#f2.

Save the Dates – 2006 Conventions

March 9-11, 2006 Spring Convention – in St. George, Utah
July 12-15, 2006 Annual Convention – in Newport Beach, California

2005 Fall Forum Awards

The Board of Bar Commissioners is seeking nominations for the 2005 Fall Forum Awards. These awards have a long history of honoring publicly those whose professionalism, public service and personal dedication have significantly enhanced the administration of justice, the delivery of legal services and the building up of the profession. Your award nominations must be submitted in writing to Maud Thurman, Executive Secretary, 645 South 200 East, #310, SLC UT 84111 or adminasst@utahbar.org, no later than Friday, September 23, 2005. The award categories include:

Distinguished Community Member Award
Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year Award
Professionalism Award

First 50 Event – October 15, 2005

The Utah Minority Bar Association is proud to announce that it will host a gala dinner and program on the evening of October 15, 2005 at the Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City to honor the first fifty lawyers of color (the "First 50") to practice law in the State of Utah. This will take the place of the annual UMBA scholarship banquet. As this is a truly statewide celebration, UMBA is sending this announcement via the e-bulletin and Bar Journal to reach all members of the Bar. The First 50 honorees hailed from, and practiced in, many communities throughout Utah. For more information about the event, go to: www.utahbar.org/news/umba_first_50.htm.

Judges’ Benchbook Available

The Judges' Benchbook is a collaborative effort between the Utah State Bar's Litigation Section and Utah's district judges. In the Benchbook, you can find the thoughts and preferences of over 85% of our state district judges, on essentially all aspects of litigating before them, including both civil and criminal issues. Judges have taken the time to set forth their preferences on topics such as case management orders and motion practice, trial procedure, discovery issues, domestic cases, and many other topics. This information is being updated on a regular basis, with new judges being added, and can all be found at www.utahbar.org/sections/litigation/benchbooks.html.

Utah State Courts Launch Divorce Education for Children Pilot Project

Beginning September 2005, a Divorce Education for Children class will be available for children 9- to 12-years old whose parents have filed for divorce in Salt Lake County. The class will be presented once each month from September through November 2005 at the Scott M. Matheson Courthouse at 450 South State Street. The two-hour children’s course will be offered at the same time as the mandatory Divorce Education for Parents course. The program’s curriculum will provide the children with skills they can use at home, such as how to express their feelings to parents. Mental health professionals will teach the children’s class with the assistance of state court judges and commissioners. Participation in the children’s class is voluntary. The first children’s program is scheduled on Sept. 24 from 9:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. To register children for the class contact Rebecca Bunderson at (801) 238-7802.

Bar Sharks Pool Tournament

The Young Lawyers Division is looking for two-person teams to participate in their Fourth Annual "Bar Sharks for Justice" Pool Tournament, scheduled for October 20, 27 & November 3 at Lumpy’s Downtown at 145 W. Pierpont. Have fun, meet others in the legal community and help support a great cause! Proceeds will benefit "AND JUSTICE FOR ALL," a non-profit that supports free civil legal aid programs in Utah. T-shirts and other goodies for participants and prizes for top finishers. All skill levels are welcome. For more information go to www.andjusticeforall.org or call 924-3182.

Dear Young Lawyers,

We are writing to ask you to pass this information about the Fourth Annual Young Lawyer’s Division “Bar Sharks for Justice“ Annual Pool Tournament and Social along to the attorneys at your firm. It would be especially helpful if you would try to get your firm to sponsor at least one team in the tournament because it would be nice to see more participation at this event.

We anticipate a good turnout this year, and hope to build this fundraiser into an annual pool tournament and social event. For more information, please see the attachments. Thanks again.

Bar Sharks Committee

Jonathan Benns
Workman Nydegger

Karthik Nadesan
Snell Wilmer

Staci Duke
“and Justice for all”