SBN eNews: LGBTQ+ Repeats as Section Pro Bono Challenge Winner

Thursday, June 6, 2024

State Bar of Nevada eNews

LGBTQ+ Repeats

as Section Pro Bono Challenge Winner

The LGBTQ+ Section is once again the winner of the Section Pro Bono Challenge and will be recognized at the State Bar of Nevada’s Annual Bar Conference June 27-28 in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

The challenge ended on May 31 with 1,137 total points earned by all participants. The 2024 challenge saw an increase of 43 cases taken compared to 2023. In total, 184 attorneys accepted 154 cases, participated in 334 Ask-A-Lawyer or Lawyer in the Library sessions, or donated in lieu of pro bono. Volunteers donated $4,200, with 100 percent donated to legal aid organizations based on the IOLTA formula. Cases earned three points, “Asks” earned two points, and donations earned one point for every $500.

The top 10 sections and top section volunteers (ranked in order) are:

LGBTQ+ – Bonnie Smith;
Bankruptcy – Sean Patterson;
Family Law – Robert Cerceo;
Probate and Trust – Carmen Avello;
Public Lawyers – Homa Woodrum;
Solo and Small Practice – Sharon Green;
Real Property – Keith Routsong;
Appellate Litigation – Timothy Wiseman;
Labor and Employment – Doreen Spears Hartwell, and
Cannabis – Carly Krygier.

A more detailed breakdown is available on the leaderboard.

In addition to recognition at the annual bar conference, the top 10 volunteers from the top 10 sections will receive invitations to an upcoming lunch with the Nevada Supreme Court and Nevada Court of Appeals this fall. The top sections and volunteers will also be featured in an upcoming issue of Nevada Lawyer.

Thank you to all the section leaders, section volunteers, and the Nevada judiciary for supporting the challenge.

This Week at the State Bar

The Second Judicial District Court’s SJDC’s eFlex system will be unavailable beginning at 5 p.m. Friday, June 7, until 8 a.m. Monday, June 10.

Please join the State Bar of Nevada in expressing sincere appreciation for the sponsors of the upcoming Bar Conference! With their help, the state bar can provide access to exciting expert presenters in destination locations.

Interested in attending the 2024 Bar Conference in Santa Fe? Attendees can now register to attend and book hotel rooms. Be sure to join us June 27-28, 2024!

The state bar is committed to your health and well-being. If you are dealing with a difficult life situation, stress, or anxiety, and would like to speak with a licensed professional, you are entitled to three free therapy sessions through the Nevada Lawyer Assistance Program.

Call 1-866-828-0022 to speak with a fellow attorney and receive the names of approved therapists in your area. Both the call to NLAP and subsequent therapy sessions are confidential.

View Upcoming Bar Events

OPENING: ABA House of Delegates Representative

The Board of Governors of the State Bar of Nevada is seeking applicants for a delegate representative to the American Bar Association (ABA) House of Delegates. An application form is available on the state bar’s website . Applications must be received no later than noon on Friday, June 7, 2024.

The control and administration of the ABA is vested in the House of Delegates, the policy-making body of the association. The house meets twice each year, at the ABA’s annual and midyear meetings. The State Bar of Nevada has three delegates representing Nevada in the ABA House of Delegates. The bar’s Board of Governors appoints two of them.

The board is currently seeking a qualified applicant to fill a vacancy in one of these slots. The selected applicant will serve a two-year term beginning at the conclusion of the ABA Annual Meeting in August 2024.

Wellness Support Group Established for Attorney Women of Color

The State Bar of Nevada is starting a weekly virtual support group titled “Your Blues Ain’t Like Mine: A Wellness Circle for Women of Color Attorneys.” The group will meet at noon on Thursdays. There is no cost to attend.

Facilitators Adrienne O’Neal and Valerie Taylor will lead the support group, which is designed to be a safe place to confidentially deepen connections and both provide and receive support from others with similar experiences. Group members will process the occupational hazards of the profession while defining success and navigating to the next level.

For information, contact O’Neal at adrienne@redrockcounseling.com or Taylor at valerie@redrockcounseling.com.

U.S. District Court Seeks Volunteers for CJA Panels

The U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada is accepting applications to the Criminal Justice Act (CJA) Panels in both Reno and Las Vegas. The deadline to apply is Thursday, August 1.

There are four panels: Las Vegas Trial, Reno Trial, Direct Appeals, and Habeas. There is also a mentor program to help less-experienced attorneys prepare to accept CJA appointments.

The application is posted to the Federal Public Defender’s CJA website. Questions and completed applications must be submitted to NV_CJAResource@fd.org.

Is Your Summer Smile Ready? Enroll in a Dental Insurance Plan

June is Oral Health Month! Make your dental hygiene a priority with a MetLife group PPO dental plan through the State Bar of Nevada Insurance Marketplace.

The Comprehensive Plan option gives enrollees the freedom to visit any licensed dentist in the country — or stay in-network and save by choosing from 521,000-plus participating dentist access points. Plan highlights include a high annual max of $1,750 per person and no waiting period for preventative coverage.

Enroll by June 30 for a July 1 effective date.

First Judicial District Bar Association Hosting CLE Lunch in June

The First Judicial District Bar Association (FJDBA) is hosting a one-hour general credit CLE titled “Legal Pitfalls and Strategies for Personal Injury Cases with Workers’ Compensation Crossover” at noon on Friday, June 7, at Red’s Old 395 Grill at 1055 South Carson Street in Carson City. Craig Kidwell will be the speaker.

The cost is $25 for nonmembers and $20 for FJDBA members. To RSVP, email fjdba1@gmail.com or call Anne Laughlin at 775-671-2414.

Featured CLE: Safeguarding Justice: Protective Measures for Lawyers Facing Aggression

This comprehensive two-hour webinar will address the unique challenges attorneys face when dealing with aggressive behavior that begins to spiral out of control. The first hour will feature a panel discussion moderated by a distinguished judge and includes attorneys who have navigated threats to their safety, underscoring the importance of maintaining civility even in contentious proceedings. The second hour offers expert presentations on practical measures for ensuring personal safety, navigating the procedural aspects of filing complaints with the bar, and managing the emotional toll such encounters can impose.

Learning Objectives:

Understanding Risks and Responses: Learn from firsthand accounts of attorneys who have felt unsafe and explore legal avenues for protection, including court orders and state bar complaints.

Legal and Ethical Considerations: Gain insights into appropriate circumstances and procedures for filing complaints against opposing counsel.

Personal Safety Strategies: Receive practical advice from an experienced former police officer on personal safety measures and the judicious use of restraining orders.

Emotional and Professional Support: Discover resources available through the state bar for attorneys facing emotional challenges stemming from aggressive encounters in the legal profession.

Program Date:

Friday, July 12

Time:

11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m.

Location:

Webinar

CLE Hours:

1 Ethics and 1 AAMH Credit