May 31 Annual Dinner to feature Kennedy keynote; Legislator of the Year Awardee DeLeo; Annual Access to Justice Award presentations

Join our growing list of MBA 2012 Annual Dinner sponsors today.

The Massachusetts Bar Association will hold its 2012 Annual Dinner on Thursday, May 31 at the Westin Boston Waterfront, 425 Summer St., Boston. Join us for a reception, beginning at 5:30 p.m., which will be followed by the annual dinner at 7 p.m. The event will feature a keynote address by Victoria Reggie Kennedy, the presentation of  the Legislator of the Year Award to Speaker Robert A. DeLeo and the annual MBA Access to Justice Awards.

Attend this annual event as a sponsor, or consider purchasing a table for your firm or office ($1,500). Sponsorship opportunities to consider include:

• Platinum Sponsor ($5,000)
  Table for 10, full page ad in dinner program, firm logo projected at the dinner, sponsorship level recognition in Lawyers Journal and displayed on MBA website
• Gold Sponsor ($3,500)
  Table for 10, 1/2 page ad in dinner program, firm logo projected at the dinner, sponsorship level recognition in Lawyers Journal and displayed on MBA website
• Silver sponsor ($2,500)
  Table for 10, 1/4 page ad in dinner program, firm logo projected at the dinner

Click here to view our current sponsors.

Click here to register for the MBA's 2012 Annual Dinner online. For a printable PDF outlining sponsorship opportunities and table reservation information, click here. For additional information, call (617) 338-0543.

House wraps up fiscal year 2013 budget debate

As reported in last week's eJournal, the House of Representatives wrapped up debate on its $32.4 billion FY13 budget plan on April 25. The House added $110 million back into the budget during the three-day debate, including $6 million for the Trial Court and an additional $1 million for the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation -- bringing MLAC's funding to $12 million.

The Senate Ways and Means Committee will release its budget proposal later this month and the measure will then be debated by the full Senate. Look for additional calls to action in each week's eJournal, as they become available.

Your continued outreach to your respective senators is helpful as the Massachusetts Bar Association continues to advocate for an adequately funded justice system throughout the budget process.

As you know, the court system is serving approximately 42,000 people, who enter the courthouses each day, with more than 1,300 fewer court personnel since July 2007. Court backlogs are increasing; many clerks and registers have had to reduce public hours of operation, except for emergencies; and, there is an insufficient number of court officers, which also increases security risks and causes disruptions and delays.

For more information or resources to assist with your outreach, click here.

Images from the April 26 MBA Tiered Community Mentoring event.

Photos courtesy of Norfolk Probate and Family Court First Justice Angela M. Ordoñez.

MBA's Tiered Community Mentoring Program celebrates a successful third year

Wrap-up event features Massachusetts U.S. Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz, Massachusetts U.S. Marshal John Gibbons and U.S. District Court of Massachusetts District Judge Denise J. Casper

Mentors will play a large role in your career success. That was the message from the three keynote speakers at an April 26 event celebrating the third year of the MBA's Tiered Community Mentoring Program. The wrap-up was held at the John J. Moakley U.S. District Courthouse in Boston.

"Dare to dream . . . If you don't have dreams, you can't make things happen," said Massachusetts U.S. Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz, who shared that it was mentors who helped convince her to apply for her current position. "Surround yourself with people who encourage you, who believe in you as you make decisions along the way."

Remarks were also presented by Massachusetts U.S. Marshal John Gibbons and U.S. District Court of Massachusetts District Judge Denise J. Casper.

The program, the idea of Norfolk Probate and Family Court First Justice Angela M. Ordoñez, matches up 10 practicing lawyers with more than two dozen students from high school, college and law school. The program was honored with the 2011 ABA Partnership Award from the American Bar Association because of its commitment to diversity.

A total of $1,500 in scholarships were also awarded to students of Suffolk University Law School, Roxbury Community College and New Mission High School.

Top left: Lt. Gov. Timothy P. Murray. Top right (from left to right): Massachusetts Secretary of Education S. Paul Reville and Michael F. Collins, MD, chancellor of University of Massachusetts Medical School and senior vice president for Health Sciences for UMass.
Bottom left (from left to right): Massachusetts Sen. Harriette L. Chandler (D-Worcester) and Massachusetts Sen. Michael O. Moore (D-Millbury). Bottom right (from left and right): Moore and Craig L. Blais, president, Worcester Business Development Corporation.

Photos by Tricia Oliver.

Worcester forum focuses on key issues affecting Gateway communities

The Massachusetts Bar Association hosted its second Gateway Cities forum at the Worcester Trial Court on Monday.

"We are here tonight to answer the question of 'how can Massachusetts Bar attorneys assist with the Gateway Cities in Central Massachusetts,'" said MBA President-elect Robert L. Holloway Jr. before introducing the members of the event's panel.

All leaders who have long worked with the issues most closely affecting the state's Gateway Cities, the panelists included:

• Lt. Gov. Timothy P. Murray;
• Massachusetts Secretary of Education S. Paul Reville;
• Michael F. Collins, MD, chancellor of University of Massachusetts Medical School and senior vice president for Health Sciences for UMass;
• Massachusetts Sen. Harriette L. Chandler (D-Worcester);
• Massachusetts Sen. Michael O. Moore (D-Millbury);
• Benjamin Forman, research director, MassINC; and
• Craig L. Blais, president, Worcester Business Development Corporation.

Following brief panel presentations, the remainder of the event was devoted to a question and answer session.

The April 30 event followed the success of the MBA's debut forum in Dartmouth earlier this year. Attorney Fran Ford moderated the event. Ford and Margaret Xifaras chair the MBA's Gateway Cities initiative.

Learn the effects of criminal conduct on immigration proceedings at the May 9 Criminal/ Immigration Law Training Conference

Speakers will cover both basic and advanced topics for lawyers at any stage of their practice

Register for the Criminal/Immigration Law Training Conference on Wednesday, May 9 from 9 am. to 5:30 p.m. at the MBA, 20 West St., Boston. This day-long program is designed for criminal defense attorneys and immigration practitioners.

The speakers will cover both basic and advanced topics for lawyers at any stage of their practice. The program is ideal for defense attorneys trying to understand the impact of immigration concerns on all aspects of their representation and immigration practitioners interested in immigration related post-conviction motions and deepening understanding of the effects of criminal conduct on immigration proceedings.

Price:
MBA members and AILA members: $100; MBA member law students, recent admittees: $50; and nonmembers: $150.

Registration:
For more information, or to register, call Member Services at (617) 338-0530 or click here.

LinkedIn Giveaway: Win a pass to the MBA’s General Practice, Solo & Small Firm Conference

Start a discussion, share a comment, or like an existing post today for a chance to win

Start a LinkedIn discussion, share a comment, or like an existing post between now and May 4 for a chance to win a pass (up to $150 value) to the MBA's General Practice, Solo & Small Firm Conference on May 10 at the Lombardo's, 6 Billings St., Randolph.

The all-day conference will include a networking reception and the following topics:

• Running our Law Practices on the Run: Safely and Ethically (Working Lunch);
• Serving Our Clients in the Modern Legal World: Business Models for the Future;
• Fundamental Ethical Issues -- Protection for All;
• Judges on Negotiation, Mediation and Arbitration; and
• Networking -- New Ideas and Approaches.

Click here to learn more about the conference.

The winner will be chosen at random on May 7. Click here to start your LinkedIn conversation today.

New Massachusetts Law Review available

The volume 94, number 2, issue of Massachusetts Law Review has been mailed and is now available online. Content includes:

• Article: "Blowing the Whistle on the Need to Clarify and Correct the Massachusetts False Claims Act;" and
• Case Comment: "Odor of Marijuana Alone Doesn't Justify an Automobile Search."

In addition, book reviews on Justifying Intellectual Property, Fundamentals of Bankruptcy Law and In Defense of Women: Memoirs of an Unrepentant Advocate are included in this issue.

Click here to view the issue online.

Top (from left to right): University of Massachusetts President Robert L. Caret; Luncheon Honoree and Massachusetts Bar Association President Richard P. Campbell; UMass Boston Chancellor J. Keith Motley, PhD; Dean Phillip Quaglieri of the College of Management at UMass Boston.
Middle: Campbell in conversation with event host and participants at the UMass Club on April 25.
Bottom: Campbell speaks to UMass Boston students following the speaking portion of the program.

Campbell featured as guest of honor at UMass luncheon

Massachusetts Bar Association President Richard P. Campbell was featured at an April 25 luncheon as part of the University of Massachusetts Boston's "Someone to be Proud of" luncheon series. The event featured a sit-down dinner at the UMass Club in Boston, during which Campbell answered questions about his road to his current success as a trial lawyer.

In his introduction, UMass Boston Chancellor J. Keith Motley described Campbell as "a luminary in a highly competitive field." Motley added, "We're so proud of his commitment to public service."

Campbell shared -- with the intimate crowd of about 60 -- stories from his modest upbringing in Medford, his days of attending UMass Boston in its former Park Square location, the beginnings of his law career and his current roles as founder and chairman of Campbell, Campbell, Edwards & Conroy PC and family patriarch with three grown children and grandchildren.

Campbell was prompted by interviewer Glenn Mangurian, a respected area businessman who organizes the luncheon series. Campbell described himself as an "okay student" in high school and recounted the tumultuous times of the late 1960s when he was seeking his undergraduate degree. "College years back then were different, especially in the city," said Campbell, who later served for a year with the U.S. Army Reserves before attending Boston College Law School.

He spoke of his first job as a lawyer in New Jersey as a young husband with small children. He highlighted his most memorable cases, shared what it was like to serve as a trustee of the University of Massachusetts and offered his viewpoint on his role as the president of the MBA.

"It is an enormous honor, a huge honor to represent lawyers in the commonwealth. It's as good as it gets," said Campbell, "except for being a grandfather."

Following the speaking portion of the program, Campbell spoke to several UMass Boston students in attendance, fielding their individual questions related to their intended studies and career paths.

MBA celebrates Law Day with outreach to students and seniors

Students at 14 high schools in Chelsea, Fall River, Lawrence, Springfield, Southbridge and Worcester will participate in the Massachusetts Bar Association's Law Day Initiative focused on the American Bar Association's 2012 Law Day theme -- "No Courts, No Justice, No Freedom" -- throughout the Month of May.

Volunteer attorney/judge teams from the MBA will visit each of the participating high school classrooms to present the theme in a lesson plan/debate called "Lee Richardson vs. Lincoln State." The issue is whether the Lincoln law restricting when an attorney will be appointed for a criminal defendant violates the Sixth and 14th Amendments.

In addition, keeping with tradition since 1988, the MBA's Elder Law Education Program, timed with the observance of Law Day in May, will again match attorneys with senior citizens' service agencies throughout the commonwealth to make free presentations about the law. Due to the generosity of the MBA's Insurance Agency, the MBA is able to provide complimentary copies of "Taking Control of Your Future: A Legal Checkup," a legal resource guide for seniors.

The MBA especially thanks the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and attorneys Alex L. Moschella and Michael Couture for their generous contribution to the program and the elder law guide.

American Bar Association Nominating Committee Chair Kay H. Hodge

MBA now accepting nominations for ABA delegate positions

The American Bar Association Nominating Committee, which is chaired by ABA Massachusetts State Delegate Kay H. Hodge, is accepting resumes of those interested in serving as Massachusetts Bar Association representatives to the ABA House of Delegates.

The terms of four MBA representatives to the ABA House of Delegates will expire in August. Candidates must be a member in good standing of the MBA and submit their letter of interest and current resume to MBA Executive Administrator Gwen Landford at [e-mail GLandford] by Friday, May 11.

To review the Nomination & Election procedures, click here.

Featured member benefit: Red Sox Ticket Lottery

Enter to win tickets to see the Boston Red Sox play the Baltimore Orioles on June 5.

The MBA is currently offering tickets to see the Boston Red Sox play the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park on Tuesday, June 5 at 7:10 p.m. Tickets are $52 each. Due to high demand, the MBA will use a lottery method to distribute tickets to members.  

To enter the lottery, please [e-mail MBATickets] by Tuesday, May 15 at 5 p.m. Please include:

• Your name;
• Phone number; and
• Number of tickets you are requesting.

There is a four ticket limit per person and each member is allowed only one lottery entry. After Tuesday, May 15, the MBA will no longer accept entries and will conduct the lottery drawing.

All winners will be contacted directly by MBA Member Services via e-mail by Friday, May 25 for payment.

Due to the large number of entries anticipated, only members whose names are drawn will be contacted.

Upcoming CLE seminar and program schedule

Prepare for the future now by strengthening your business plan, embracing advances in technology and more at the May 10 "Second Annual General Practice, Solo & Small-Firm Symposium."

To register for the following programs, call MBA Member Services at (617) 338-0530, [e-mail membership] or visit the CLE Web site. Scroll down for program details, including 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.

UPCOMING PROGRAMS

Health Law Legal Chat Series: Session III
Friday, May 4, noon-1 p.m.
MBA, 20 West St., Boston

Latest in the Law: Real Property Law Update
Tuesday, May 8, 5-7 p.m.
MBA, 20 West St., Boston

Criminal/ Immigration Law Training Conference
Wednesday, May 9, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
MBA, 20 West St., Boston

General Practice, Solo & Small-Firm Conference
Thursday, May 10, noon-5 p.m.
Lombardo's, 6 Billings St., Randolph

Lifecycle of a Business Part 3: Employment & Business Litigation Matters
Tuesday, May 15, 5-7 p.m.
MBA, 20 West St., Boston

The Adaptable Lawyer: Staying Practical in Today's Complex Legal Environment
Wednesday, May 16, 10 a.m.-noon
MBA, 20 West St., Boston

Law Practice Management Section Educational Series: Your Law Firm's Website In-depth
Wednesday, May 16, 12:30-1:30 p.m.
MBA, 20 West St., Boston

Taxation Practice Series: Estate Planning, Basis and Forming a Nonprofit Organization
Thursday, May 17, 4:30-6 p.m.
MBA, 20 West St., Boston

33^rd Annual Labor & Employment Law Spring Conference
Friday, May 18, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Colonnade Hotel, 120 Huntington Ave., Boston

Latest in the Law: Family Law Update
Wednesday, May 23, 4-7 p.m.
MBA, 20 West St., Boston

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Unable to attend April seminars? Practitioners who were not able to attend MBA CLE programs in April can now view select programs on MBA On Demand. MBA On Demand is an innovative MBA member benefit that offers you the opportunity to watch an MBA program from the comfort of your home or office, at a time that suits your schedule.

April CLE programming now available includes:

• Lifecycle of a Business Part 2: Land Use/Permitting & Business Financing
• Health Law Legal Chat Series: Session II
• Conveying Real Estate under the New Uniform Probate Code
• Law Practice Management Section Educational Series: Social Media and Blogging
• Latest in the Law: Juvenile and Criminal Law
• Advanced Deposition Skills: Effective Techniques for Taking and Defending Key Depositions for Trial
• Health Law Legal Chat Series: Session I
• MUPC Help Desk Training
• Law Practice Management Section Educational Series: When Clients Complain

To view a listing of current programs offered on MBA On Demand, click here.

Section News: Upcoming meetings and special section events

Attend the May 9 Individual Rights & Responsibilities and Law Practice Management Section Council meetings. The Juvenile & Child Welfare Section Council meeting will feature Chief Justice Edgerton of the Juvenile Court on May 9.

Individual Rights & Responsibilities Section Council Meeting

Wednesday, May 9, 4-5:30 p.m.
MBA, 20 West St., Boston

The next meeting of the Individual Rights & Responsibilities Section is scheduled for Wednesday, May 9 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. All section members are invited to attend.

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

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Law Practice Management Section Council meeting

Wednesday, May 9, 5:15-6:45 p.m.
MBA, 20 West St., Boston

The next meeting of the Law Practice Management Section Council is scheduled for Wednesday, May 9 from 5:15 to 6:45 p.m. All section members are invited to attend.

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

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Juvenile & Child Welfare Section Council meeting

Guest speaker: Hon. Michael F. Edgerton, chief justice, Juvenile Court
Wednesday, May 9, 5:30-7 p.m.
MBA, 20 West St., Boston

The next meeting of the Juvenile & Child Welfare Section Council is scheduled for Wednesday, May 9 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The guest speaker will be the Hon. Michael F. Edgerton, chief justice, Juvenile Court.

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

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