NEBAR NEWS -- Monday, January 6th, 2003

CONTACT US AT:

635 S.14th Street
P.O. Box 81809
Lincoln, NE 65801

 

ph. (402) 475-7091
(800) 927-0117
fx. (402) 475-7098

 

E-COUNSEL -- Wednesday, January 21, 2004


COURT NEWS

NEBRASK@ ONLINE WILL BEGIN OFFERING ACCESS TO THE JUSTICE SYSTEM

Beginning January 5, 2004, Nebrask@ Online began offering access to
the JUSTICE system for NOL subscribers . The system allows for on-line
access to most of the Nebraska State Trial Court's Case information. It
allows you to easily and quickly search through over 4 million case records
so that you can find out most anything you'd need to know. This is a
fee-for-service feature that will be available during the month of January
on a free trial basis to Nebrask@ Online subscribers.

The case search system provides access to cases filed in all 93 of
Nebraska's county courts and to all district courts except the Douglas
County District Court.

Click here for more information from Nebrask@ Online.

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NEW JUDGMENT INTEREST RATE

The Judgment Interest Rate is 3.016 effective 1/16/04

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JUDICIAL RESOURCES COMMISSION WILL MEET ON JANUARY 29TH FOR JUDGE CASSEL'S VACANCY

The Judicial Resources Commission will hold a public hearing for Judge
William B. Cassel's vacant seat on the district court bench. The hearing
will be held Thursday, January 29, 2004, at 10:30 a.m., central time in
Room 1507 of the State Capitol Building in Lincoln, Nebraska, and will
include participation from the Panhandle Education Center, High Plains
room, 4502 Ave. I, in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, and from the State Office
Building, Rm. 207, 2nd Floor, 1313 Farnam Street, in Omaha, Nebraska.

http://court.nol.org/press/releases/0129hearing.htm

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FIVE NEWLY CERTIFIED COURT INTERPRETERS TO TAKE OATH ON JANUARY 30TH AT COURTHOUSE IN LEXINGTON

The Nebraska Supreme Court announces that five Spanish court interpreters
have successfully passed the oral certification court interpreter exam
sponsored by the Consortium of the National Center for State Courts

http://court.nol.org/press/releases/interpreter.htm

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NSBA NEWS

CHARITABLE FUNDS INC., UPCOMING EVENTS

NLAP Charity Run - Race Judicata

Saturday, April 24, 2004
Registration - 8:00 a.m., Race - 9:00 a.m.
Chalco Hills Recreation Area, Wehrspan Lake, Omaha
Proceeds to benefit NLAP Fund that offers help to lawyers, judges, and law students troubled by substance abuse problems, stress, depression and other problems that may impair their ability to perform in a competent and professional manner.

NSBA's 1st Annual Greater Nebraska Golf Tournament - Sponsorship Information - Golfer Registration

Friday, June 18, 2004
Shotgun Start - 1:00 p.m.
Wild Horse Golf Club, Gothenburg
Proceeds to benefit the Volunteer Lawyers Project which is the NSBA's statewide volunteer legal services project and referral network founded on the belief that all citizens should have access to the legal system, regardless of ability to pay.

NSBA's 8th Annual Golf Scramble - Sponsorship Information - Golfer Registration

Friday, August 27, 2004
Shotgun Start - 12:30 p.m.
Wilderness Ridge Golf Club, Lincoln
Proceeds to benefit the Volunteer Lawyers Project which is the NSBA's statewide volunteer legal services project and referral network founded on the belief that all citizens should have access to the legal system, regardless of ability to pay.

CFI's Barristers' Ball

The First Annual Barristers’ Ball "Starry Starry Night " is scheduled for April 30, 2005 in Omaha. Dance the night away under the stars as they wheel through the heavens. Swirl with the galaxies, flash with meteors and soar with comets.

The evening promises to be an event to remember, so mark your calendar and be prepared for a festive night of fun and entertainment.

Proceeds to benefit the Volunteer Lawyers Project which is the NSBA's statewide volunteer legal services project and referral network founded on the belief that all citizens should have access to the legal system, regardless of ability to pay.




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WHAT IS THE "SCOPE" PROGRAM?

What is Scope?

Scope is a lawyer-to-lawyer information service. It provides the opportunity for an attorney who is unfamiliar with a legal area to talk to an attorney who is more experienced and knowledgeable.

How Does Scope Work?

The attorney seeking help calls a Scope panelist after obtaining the telephone number through Rick Allan at the NSBA. After identifying adverse parties and counsel, the Scope user briefly describes general aspects of the problem. The panelist suggests various possibilities for research or further inquiry, allowing the Scope user to resolve the issue, using independent analysis and judgment. The conversation generally lasts no longer than ten minutes.

How much does Scope cost?

The scope service is entirely free of charge to NSBA members.

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THE NSBA AND CORNHUSKER HOTEL PARTNER TO BRING YOU ANOTHER MEMBER DISCOUNT

THE CORNHUSKER IS PLEASED TO CONFIRM THE FOLLOWING
DISCOUNTED RATE:

*$ 79.00 - STANDARD ROOM

The above discounted rate includes the following per night stay:

Breakfast in the Terrace Grille or Room Service
and
Two drink coupons for use in the Terrace Grille or the Five Reasons Lounge


CONTACT INFORMATION:

KEY CLUB #206811
KEY CLUB MEMBER LINE - 402-479-8233
RESERVATIONS - 1-800-793-7474
FAX - 402-474-6006

RESERVATIONS CONTACT: HEATHER LONG
TELEPHONE NO. - 402-474-7474

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ABA TECHNOLOGY SHOW

March 25-27
Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers
Chicago, Illinois

ABA TECHSHOW is the world's leading legal technology conference, and the only technology conference and exposition developed by and for lawyers and other legal professionals. Our program attracts more than 1400 attendees from around the globe.
If you can only attend one conference on technology and its role in the practice of law, this is the one.

The NSBA is a Program Promoter for this event and NSBA Members who register by February 26, 2004 receive a $100 discount off the registration fee.

To receive this discount use the NSBA's Program Promoter Code when registering. The code is PP2.

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RESEARCH STUDY ON AREAS OF PRACTICE IN NEBRASKA'S LEGAL PROFESSION

In conjunction with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the Nebraska State Bar Association will be conducting a study on perceptions of and career tracks into areas of practice in Nebraska's legal profession. In the upcoming weeks, a questionnaire from the Nebraska State Bar Association will be mailed to a random sample of Bar Association members. The questionnaire will ask Bar members their opinion about certain areas of practice in the legal profession and about their employment experiences in Nebraska's legal profession. If you are selected for the sample please take the time to complete and return your questionnaire. In order for information from the study to be truly representative, it is essential that each person in the sample return their questionnaire.

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CLE UPDATES

NCLE SECTION CALENDAR

Click here for a calendar of CLE programs to be offered in upcoming months.

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TAX LAW FOR THE GENERAL PRACTITIONER

In this comprehensive, one-day program you will learn about the impact of recent federal tax developments on small businesses and individuals. You will learn about new estate and gift tax developments and how to draft living trusts and family partnerships to comply with these requirements while helping your clients accomplish their goals. You will also learn about state taxes, tax incentives affecting small businesses, and choosing the right entity to operate a small business. For advising your individual clients, you will learn about education funding with 529 plans, estate and income tax strategies using life insurance, and handling property tax valuation disputes. Finally, preparation of federal estate and inheritance tax returns, planning closely held business succession, and structuring litigation settlements will also be covered. Click here for the registration form.

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IMMIGRATION AND NATURALIZATION LAW AND PROCEDURE TODAY

A lot has happened in recent years in this area of law, and if you practice or would like to practice in the areas of immigration and naturalization, this seminar is an essential resource. Click here for the registration form.

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PROBATE AND ESTATE PLANNING SEMINARS

Probate Seminar is March 4th and Drafting Under Nebraska's Uniform Trust Code is March 5- Register for one or both days. Click here for the registration form.

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2004 YLS PRACTICE SEMINAR

Click here for the agenda for the seminar.....

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RESOURCES

PRACTICE TIP: MARKETING TIPS

1. Print law firm business cards for each staff member, including their name and title. Provide some practice on how to give (and take) business cards; encourage them to give out the cards in appropriate circumstances.

2. Send thank you letters to judges, witnesses, and personnel from the court room and clerk's office.

3. Every person you meet is a potential client or potential recommender of a client.

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PRACTICE TIP: THE RECEPTIONIST

The receptionist is the person who makes the initial contact with almost everyone seeking to do buiness with you. Yet often the receptionist is the most underpaid, unappreciated and under-trained person in the office. The receptionist can make a big difference in everything from losing a client to the initiation of a bar complaint proceeding. Compare the impact of the following two responses to an angry client who has not had a phone call returned. (1) Yes, I gave him the message. There's nothing else I can do about it. (2) Mr. Atty is usually very good about returning his phone calls. He has been in court all day. I'll try and make sure someone gets back to you as soon as possible.

Make sure that those answering the phone or stationed in the reception area are continually encouraged to be friendly problem solvers. If you have turn-over at the receptionist position, consider having some written guidelines, including responses to difficult situations.

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CASEMAKER™ TIP #17: CAN I SEARCH WITHIN A CASE OR DOCUMENT AFTER I HAVE LOCATED IT?

The idea for this tip was sent to me by NSBA member Frank Heinisch.

Once your search locates a case or document and it has been opened the text can be can searched (if you are using Microsoft Internet Explorer) by pressing <ctrl-f> or in the Edit menu clicking on "Find(on this page)." That action will bring up a box where you can enter a word or phrase and have the browser search the case or document.

It is a feature of the browser and not of Casemaker. There are similar features in most other programs and many of you have probably used the technique when working with a word processing document. I assume the Netscape browser has the same capability.

Casemaker is supposed to come out with a 'go to next hit' ability in the near future but the <ctrl-f> search can be done with any words of your choice and is not limited to the words and phrases used in the Casemaker query.

Doug Kluender
dkluender@law7000.com

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