Celebrate National Cell Phone Recycling Week

Donate your old phone to MBA Eco-Challenge

In honor of the EPA's 2010 National Cell Phone Recycling Week, which runs through April 11, the Massachusetts Bar Association will be collecting working and broken cell phones, batteries and accessories from all service providers at several locations listed below. The MBA Lawyers Eco-Challenge has partnered with Verizon Wireless' HopeLine program, which collects cell phones to support domestic violence service agencies.

• MBA headquarters, 20 West St., Boston;
• MBA western Massachusetts office, 73 State St., Springfield;
• CLF's Massachusetts headquarters, 62 Summer St., Boston;
• The Green Roundtable's NEXUS Green Building Resource Center, 38 Chauncy St., 7^th Floor, Boston; and
• Seyfarth Shaw, Two Seaport Lane, Boston.

HopeLine has collected more than 7 million phones, kept more than 200 tons of electronic waste and batteries out of landfills and donated more than $7.9 million in cash grants to organizations that run domestic violence awareness and prevention programming.

Note: Correction to Regional Delegates nominee list

The list of Regional Delegate nominees reported in the March 11 e-Journal and April issue of Lawyers Journal included an error. The correct list of Regional Delegates included as part of the MBA's 2010-11 Nominating Committee Report is below.

Regional Delegates:

Back by popular demand

Annual Conference 2010's Dustin Cole with "Building Business in the Post-Crash Economy"

Law Practice Advisor Dustin Cole is returning to offer once again his insightful program, "Building Business in the Post-Crash Economy: Crucial Marketing Skills for Success in the New Economic Reality". The half-day program will take place on Wednesday, April 28 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the MBA, 20 West St., Boston. Back by popular demand, Cole's program was featured at the MBA's Annual Conference 2010 in March.

In this rapid-fire program, the nationally-recognized master practice advisor draws from his more than 20 years of experience in legal marketing to pinpoint the new economic realities, identify what has changed, and offer both marketing fundamentals and new, more effective solutions. Attendees will leave with tools and specific action plans to increase revenues through more active, focused and effective marketing. Topics include:

• What has changed in client expectations and demands and how to adapt successfully;
• How to move up the "value" curve for increased revenues;
• How to "change the game" to retain clients;
• Techniques to combat price resistance and price undercutting;
• The four simple principles that create a powerful business stream;
• How to dramatically increase your marketing efficiency and results;
• Powerful communications that turn prospects into clients; and
• Innovative approaches to fees and collections.

Click here to review a program testimonial.
Click here to register for the program.

Unable to come to Boston? This program is available as a real-time Webcast. When registering, participants can choose to attend "virtually" from your home or office computer. If you choose to attend the program via real-time Webcast, space is limited. Registrants will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis.

Volunteer opportunity: The Greater Boston Food Bank

The Business Law Section Council will host a volunteer opportunity at The Greater Boston Food Bank on Wednesday, April 28 from 9 a.m. to noon at 70 South Bay Ave., Boston just off the X-way. Volunteers will help out by inspecting, sorting and repacking donated food and grocery products and labeling boxes. Volunteers can come alone or bring family members to help out.

The Greater Food Bank has distributed over 31 million pounds of food and grocery products to almost 600 hunger-relief agencies throughout eastern Massachusetts and serves over 394,000 people annually.

Click here to R.S.V.P. to volunteer.

Space is limited. Only 20 spots are available. Click here to learn more about the work of The Greater Boston Food Bank. Contact Christine O'Hurley at [e-mail ohurleylaw] with any questions.

MBA 2010 Law Day Video Essay Contest

MBA "Diversity in the Law" video essay contest entries due April 15

In celebration of Law Day this May, the Massachusetts Bar Association is proud to invite high schools from across the state to participate in its first video essay contest. Students (grades 9-12) who live in and attend school in Massachusetts can compete for scholarships by submitting videos by April 15, 2010 based on the theme, "Diversity in the Law."

The contest is being co-sponsored by the Massachusetts Association of Hispanic Attorneys and the Asian American Lawyers of Massachusetts.

"We chose the Diversity in the Law theme because it likely means different things to different people.  We are excited to review the submissions of the various interpretations of this year's theme," said Norfolk Probate and Family Court Associate Justice Angela M. Ordoñez, co-chair of the association's Diversity Task Force, which is providing funding for the winning scholarships.

Submitted video essays should be original, family friendly entries (no copyrighted materials) in any format, which may include dances, poems, skits or any other combination or images and words. Submissions should be between one and three minutes long.

"The contest is a wonderful opportunity for students to expound upon their understanding and interpretation of the law," said Marc C. Laredo, who serves as co-chair of the MBA Law Day Committee with Michael P. Sams. "Far too often youth are not exposed to the legal community's role in society until late teenage years or beyond. This contest will be a positive introduction for many," Sams said.

A panel of four judges will select the winning entries based on originality, creativity, adherence to the theme and overall quality. The essay contest judges are Ordoñez, MBA President Valerie A. Yarashus, KISS 108 "Matty in the Morning" personality Billy Costa  and "Greater Boston with Emily Rooney" reporter and producer Jared Bowen. The following scholarships will be awarded: $1,000 for 1^st place, $500 for 2^nd place and $250 for honorable mention.

Scholarship winners and their families will be invited to attend a special ceremony and screening of their videos during the MBA's House of Delegates meeting at the Hilton Hotel in Dedham on May 19. The event and contest celebrate Law Day, recognized nationally each May 1 to reflect on the importance of law and its effect on the country and society.

Click here to watch our video and for complete contest details.

MBA section news

Labor Relations and Collective Bargaining open forum; Juvenile & Child Welfare Section Council April open meeting; Municipal Tax and State Tax Practice Groups open meeting

Labor Relations and Collective Bargaining open forum

MBTA v. Boston Carmen's Union, Local 589 (June 2009)
Wednesday, April 14, noon-1:30 p.m.
MBA, 20 West St., Boston

In MBTA v. Boston Carmen's Union, Local 589 (June 2009), the Supreme Judicial Court considered the validity of two arbitration awards holding that unilateral employer action to redress alleged discriminatory practices violated the provisions of the CBA. We will discuss the significance and practical applications of the court's decision in this case, including the court's determination that public policy supports the granting of retroactive seniority and pay rate to settle a pending MCAD claim, even where such action might otherwise violate the CBA.

To R.S.V.P., click here.

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Juvenile & Child Welfare Section Council April open meeting

Featuring Chief Justice Michael F. Edgerton
Wednesday, April 14, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
MBA, 20 West St., Boston

The Juvenile & Child Welfare Section Council will host an open meeting on Wednesday, April 14 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m at the MBA, 20 West St., Boston. The guest speaker will be Chief Justice Michael F. Edgerton of the Juvenile Court Department. This meeting is free. All section members are invited to attend.

To R.S.V.P., click here.

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Municipal Tax and State Tax Practice Groups open meeting

Thursday, May 6, 5-6:30 pm
MBA, 20 West St., Boston

The Taxation Law Section's Municipal Tax Practice Group and State Tax Practice Group will host a joint open meeting on Tuesday, May 6. The business meeting will begin at 5 p.m. and the guest speaker at 5:30 p.m. will be Mark Defrancisco, chief counsel to the Appellate Tax Board's legal department. Defrancisco advises the board on legal, evidentiary and related issues; reviews and advises the board on motions heard before the board; and drafts, edits and approves the board's findings of fact and reports. With experience in state and local taxation, in both the public and private sector, Defrancisco has spoken frequently on matters relating to Massachusetts taxation at conferences sponsored by MCLE, Massachusetts Association of Assessing Offices, county assessors associations, Lincoln Institute of Land Policy and the MBA and Boston Bar Association's taxation committees. This meeting is free.

To R.S.V.P., click here.

Upcoming CLE seminar and program schedule

Register for the "Building Your Trial Notebook" seminar

To register for the following programs, call MBA Member Services at (617) 338-0530, [e-mail membership] or visit the CLE Web site. To download a PDF of the April/May CLE brochure, click here.

This week's highlighted programs include:

• Trust Basics for the General Practitioner
• Building Your Trial Notebook
• Canadian Entries - Some Tokens for Invisible Turnstiles
  
• Save the date: 31st Annual Labor & Employment Law Spring Conference
• Free MBA co-sponsored program at MCLE: Pathways to Practice
  

Scroll down for program descriptions, dates and registration details.

Recorded session available for purchase after live program through MBA On Demand.

Real-time Webcast available for purchase through MBA On Demand.

APRIL CLE PROGRAMS

Trust Basics for the General Practitioner
Tuesday, April 13, 4 - 7 p.m.
Western New England College School of Law, 1215 Wilbraham Road, Springfield

Building Your Trial Notebook
Tuesday, April 13, 4 - 7 p.m.
MBA, 20 West St., Boston

Canadian Entries - Some Tokens for Invisible Turnstiles
Wednesday, April 14, 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.
MBA, 20 West St., Boston

SAVE THE DATE

31st Annual Labor & Employment Law Spring Conference
Tuesday, May 11, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
The Colonnade Hotel, 120 Huntington Ave., Boston
**Click here to view the full conference schedule.

9 a.m.: Discrimination: Survey and Hot Topics
10:15 a.m.: Discrimination: Practice Tips and Technology Issues
11:15 a.m.: Break
11:30 a.m.: Wage and Hour Update and Practice Tips on Collective Actions
12:10 p.m.: Lunch featuring Keynote Speaker Stuart J. Ishimaru, acting chairman, U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
1 p.m.: Arbitration of Statutory Claims in a Union Environment
2 p.m.: Break
2:10 p.m.: Practice Issues Employment Lawyers Face
3:10 p.m.: Summary Judgment: The Real World featuring the Hon. William G. Young
4:10 p.m.: Reception

MBA CO-SPONSORED PROGRAM

Pathways to Practice
Friday, April 16, 1:30 - 4:30 p.m.
MCLE Conference Center, 10 Winter Place, Boston

The MBA is proud to co-sponsor Pathways to Practice-a FREE training for third years and recent graduates transitioning from law school to law practice.

Don't have a job lined up? If you are unsure of your path to a legal career and the next steps you should take, this is a program you should not miss.

Designed especially for third year law students and recent graduates, Pathways to Practice outlines the opportunities that will help you get your legal career started in the face of tough economic times and limited employment prospects. This half-day program is full of information that you can use-even prior to graduation-to identify opportunities that could make the difference between a rocky post-law school experience and a smooth transition from school to career.

A faculty including savvy Massachusetts practitioners, a Supreme Judicial Court justice, legal services specialists, and other professionals will provide inside tips, practical strategies, and guidance on available resources-a wealth of information to maximize your potential as a new member of the Massachusetts legal community.

Click here to register for this program.
NOTE: Registration for this program is taking place through MCLE and not the MBA.

Featured member benefit: Celtics tickets

Playoff suite rental presale

In less than a month, the Celtics will begin their 2010 playoff run and we want you to be back at the Garden supporting them. Starting Monday, a limited number of suites will be available as part of a presale for Round 1 Home Games 1 and 2. As a valued MBA member, we would like to offer you the chance to be part of this special presale.

Book a suite for Round 1 Home Game 1 or Round 1 Home Game 2 while inventory lasts.

• Early Bird Pricing - just $2,790 for 18 tickets (25 percent savings off the standard Round 1 price)
  Garden suites are a perfect setting for business meetings, closing important business deals, rewarding employees or just a fun night out with family and friends. Enjoy exclusive amenities such as theater style seating, private restrooms, excellent views of the court, and two TVs in each suite. Your suite will include 18 tickets with the option to add more as needed.

To take advantage of this special offer please contact the Celtics Premium Sales Department at (617) 854-8061 or [e-mail bburnard].

* This offer is first come, first served and based on availability.