THIS WEEK AT THE CMBA

HAPPY NEW YEAR! ORDER YOUR LEGAL DIRECTORY OR COURT HANDBOOK AT 50% OFF THE REGULAR PRICE, TODAY!

Happy New Year!  As a special end-of-2008 and beginning of 2009 offer, we are now selling the 2008-09 Legal Directory and 2008 Court Handbook at 50% off their regular prices!  The Legal Directory is now available for just $13.95 and the Court Handbook is now only $14.95.  To order your book at this very special pricing, click here.
Already have one? Purchase one now for your secretary, paralegals, or your home!
 
The Legal Directory is your best resource for all local attorneys organized by law firms, practice areas, courts admitted, states admitted and languages spoken; providing easy access to Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Association information, information on local law schools, court phone numbers, and attorney listings and photos for Cuyahoga County and beyond. The Court Handbook allows you to stay up-to-date with the latest court information as it changes at the onset of each new year, increasing the total amount of time that your book will be accurate and useful. Additionally, the Handbook now includes extensive information on the courts of contiguous counties.
 
The books are available for pick-up or delivery, so click here to order yours today!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SUPPORT OUR AREA HIGH SCHOOL MOCK TRIAL TEAMS
Volunteer today as a judicial panelist for the upcoming 2009 competition!

Judges, magistrates and attorneys are invited to serve as volunteer judicial panelists in the upcoming Ohio Mock Trial Cuyahoga District Competition on Friday, January 30, 2009 from 11:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This year’s fictional case asks whether a school policy requiring proof of citizenship or legal status violates students’ equal protection rights under the 14th Amendment. This is Ohio’s largest academic competition and Cuyahoga County high school participation is strong: last year we hosted 400 students representing 31 teams from 14 area high schools. No experience necessary: an orientation luncheon for new and returning volunteers will be held at the CMBA at noon on Tuesday, January 13, 2009. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer for this exciting, law-related education event, please click here to fill out a form online, or click here to access a printable form to fax to (216) 696-2413. Please contact Jessica Paine at jpaine@clemetrobar.org for more information.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO OUR NEW FOUNDATION FELLOWS!
We recognize and thank the newest Fellows of the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Foundation, and encourage all of you to become a new fellow in 2009!

Steve C. Bersticker (Kohrman Jackson & Krantz PLL)
Frank R. DeSantis (Thompson Hine LLP)
Marilena DiSilvio (Reminger Co. L.P.A.)
Sarah J. Gabinet (Kohrman Jackson & Krantz PLL)
Marc W. Groedel (Reminger Co. L.P.A)
Chris J. Hubbert (Kohrman Jackson & Krantz PLL)
Robert H. Jackson (Kohrman Jackson & Krantz PLL)
Ari Hershel Jaffe (Kohrman Jackson & Krantz PLL)
S. Lee Kohrman (Kohrman Jackson & Krantz PLL)
Byron S. Krantz (Kohrman Jackson & Krantz PLL)
Marc C. Krantz (Kohrman Jackson & Krantz PLL)
Cynthia A. Lammert (Reminger Co. L.P.A)
William A. Meadows (Reminger Co. L.P.A)
G. Christopher Meyer (Squire, Sanders & Dempsey LLP)
Kevin T. O'Connor (Kohrman Jackson & Krantz PLL)
John P. O’Neil (Reminger Co. L.P.A)
Alan M. Rauss (Kohrman Jackson & Krantz PLL)
Christine S. Reid (Reminger Co. L.P.A)
David Ross (Reminger Co. L.P.A)
James P. Sammon (Reminger Co. L.P.A)
Nicholas D. Satullo (Reminger Co. L.P.A)
David B. Webster (The Webster Law Group, Inc.)
Fred Wendel III (Stewart and DeChant Co., LPA)

To learn more about how you can help build the endowment that will secure the future of our Justice For All pro bono, law-related education and community service programs please email Lisa Starek at lstarek@clemetrobar.org or call (216) 696-3525 x4004.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

LEARN MORE ABOUT CUYAHOGA COUNTY ’S NEW COMMERICAL DOCKET JAN. 16
 
You’re invited to attend an informative presentation on Cuyahoga County 's new Commercial Docket at the CMBA on Friday, Jan. 16, 2009.  Targeted at civil litigators but open to all interested parties, the program runs from 2:00-4:00 p.m. and is worth 2 CLE credit hours.  Panelists include the Honorable Richard McMonagle and the Honorable John O'Donnell of the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas, with CMBA President Michael E. Brittain of Calfee Halter & Griswold acting as moderator.  For more information and to register, click here.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SAVE THE DATE!
2009 Annual Public Servants Luncheon on February 6

Don’t miss the 2009 Annual Public Servants Luncheon on February 6 at the Marriott at Key Center from 12:00 - 1:30 p.m. Sponsored by the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Foundation, this long-standing event honors the outstanding court employees who provide quality service to our legal community. For more information, please click here.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MAKE PLANS NOW TO ATTEND FOUNDATION NIGHT FEVER
Foundation Gala IV to be held on March 7th!

To become a sponsor, click here! To purchase tickets, click here! To donate an auction item, click here!

Our Fourth Annual Foundation Gala – “Foundation Night Fever” – will be held on Saturday, March 7th from 7:00 – 11:30 p.m. at the Galleria at Erieview. This year, the dynamic band “Disco Inferno” will be featured, so plan to dig out your disco finest and get ready to do the hustle! Details are available on the CMBA homepage, or by clicking here. This year’s event will once again feature a silent and live auction, great food, terrific camaraderie and the chance to raise a lot of money to support our award-winning 3Rs program and all of the other great programs supported by the Cleveland Metropolitan Bar Foundation. Mark you calendars now and prepare to boogie, oogie oogie ‘til you just can’t boogie no more!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SUPPORT THE 3RS PROGRAM BY JOINING “FRIENDS OF THE 3RS”

Help us sustain the innovative and award-winning 3Rs Program by becoming a “Friend of The 3Rs” today. Your $50 charitable gift to the Cleveland Bar Foundation’s “Friends of The 3Rs Fund” will help us continue to provide program services and resources to 4,000 tenth graders in the Cleveland and East Cleveland public schools. The3Rs program, through the service of 500 volunteers and a unique curriculum, is helping students learn more about the law and U.S Constitution, as well as to focus them on their potential beyond high school. To make a donation, click here.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

LIABILITY COVERAGE QUOTE NOW EASIER TO FIND
CMBA’s exclusive Lawyer’s Professional Liability program is now available 24/7

In addition to a 7.5 % discount for select CLE participation and a dedicated claims advocate who services our members, CMBA’s insurance partner Oswald Companies is making it easier for us to get a quote for liability coverage. The no obligation request form takes less than five minutes to complete. You may want to refer to your existing policy when completing it, but it is not necessary when visiting: QUICK QUOTE

Oswald offers this coverage, its dedicated claims service and a policy discount exclusively to CMBA members. You’re encouraged to learn more.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PRESENTING A BRAND NEW WAY TO ADVERTISE YOUR SERVICES OR FIRM TO ALL CMBA MEMBERS -- ELECTRONICALLY, RIGHT HERE IN THE WEEKLY CMBA REVIEW!

Looking for a new way to promote your services, company or firm to the CMBA’s 5,000+ members? We are now offering you the opportunity to reach Cleveland’s legal community in a brand new way – with a banner ad and on-line link to your website, right here in the weekly CMBA Review. (See examples of these banners on the right hand side of this page.) Banner ads can be purchased on a weekly or monthly basis. For information on rates and placing your ad, click here or contact Kristen Schultz, CMBA Marketing Director, at kschultz@clemetrobar.org. As you’re reading this message right now, just think of how many other people are doing the same thing – so, don’t miss this exciting new opportunity to bring them directly to you with just one quick click!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SECTION MEETINGS

Click here for full calendar of Sections events and meetings.

NEXT WOMEN IN LAW MEETING SET FOR JAN. 7
The Women in Law Section will host its January general meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 7 at noon at the CMBA.  The WIL Section invites you to join them to learn about Section activities and become involved!  Lunch is free for Section members; click here for more information and to register.
 
FAMILY LAW TO DISCUSS “TAX FACTS” JAN. 15
The Family Law Section will hold its next meeting and CLE seminar at the Marriott at Key Center on Jan. 15 at noon. The Section will discuss “Tax Facts,” featuring guest speaker Magistrate Barbara Porzio of the Medina County Court of Common Pleas.  1.00 hour CLE has been requested; click here to register.
 
LITIGATION SECTION PRESENTS A SUPREME COURT PREVIEW JAN. 15
The Litigation Section invites you to attend its meeting and CLE presentation on Jan. 15 at noon at the CMBA.  Guest speaker Steven Steinglass, Dean Emeritus at the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, will present “Section 1983 and the Supreme Court's 2008 Term: A Preview.”  Everyone is welcome to join the Section for this interesting and topical discussion of issues concerning qualified immunity, absolute prosecutorial immunity, pleading, the pre-emptive effect of Title IX, and the duty of state courts to hear Section 1983 cases.  1.00 hour CLE has been requested; click here to register.
 
GOVERNMENT ATTORNEYS PRESENT “CUYAHOGA COUNTY ELECTION PROCESS” JAN. 21
The Government Attorney Section will host a meeting and CLE presentation at noon on Jan. 21 at the CMBA.  Guest speakers Jane Platten (Director, Cuyahoga County Board of Elections) and Jeff Hastings (Cuyahoga County Board of Elections) will present “The Cuyahoga County Election Process.”  1.00 hour CLE has been requested; click here to register.

“ESTATE PLANNING IN THE DIGITAL AGE” IS THE TOPIC FOR JAN. 22 MEETING & CLE
The Estate Planning, Probate & Trust Law Section will hold its January Meeting & CLE at noon on Jan. 22 at the CMBA.  Join the Section for “Estate Planning in the Digital Age,” with presenter Joseph M. Mentrek of Meaden & Moore.  1.00 hour CLE has been requested; click here to register.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CLE COURSES AVAILABLE ONLINE ANY DAY, ANY TIME

In addition to our full slate of live and video programs, the CMBA offers an online CLE program to satisfy the demand for continuous access to our quality CLE programs.  Sponsored by West LegalEd Center, our online program features over 125 hours of CLE programming, including Ethics, Professionalism & Substance Abuse.  For those who prefer their CLE at non-traditional hours, this is the program for you!  Click here for more details.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------