SEPTEMBER 2021 E-NEWSLETTER |
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Ada Sawyer Centennial Celebration Postponed |
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Due to the worsening pandemic and in consideration of the health and safety our members and attendees, we must postpone our Ada Sawyer Centennial Celebration scheduled for October 14, 2021 at Rhodes-on-the-Pawtuxet. The event will be rescheduled for a date in the spring of 2022.
The event, organized by the Bar Association’s Ada Sawyer Centennial Planning Committee and supported by the RI Women’s Bar Association and the Roger Williams University School of Law, will feature a plated dinner and cash Bar with several exciting speakers. More information on the event will be disseminated in early 2022.
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2021 Aon Sponsored FREE
Ethics Seminars
The 28th annual FREE ethics program is open for registration! This year's speaker is nationally acclaimed attorney Larry J. Cohen. His program, “An Ethical Day at the Movies,” is a unique and entertaining presentation, encouraging you to think and talk about your dealings with clients, judges, third parties, and other lawyers. Using film clips, news footage, and excerpts from television and the media, the speaker will demonstrate lawyers at their ethical best and, at their worst, and will review what we can learn from them. Among the topics to be discussed include client communication, dabbling, civility, and diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Please be aware that due to the worsening pandemic, we are offering two presentations as live webinars only via Zoom and one presentation in-person only. Register online today to ensure you are signed up for your preferred date!
5:30 – 7:30 p.m., 2.0 ethics
Rhodes-on-the-Pawtuxet, Cranston
Please note, we will be requiring all attendees, regardless of vaccination status, to wear a mask during this in-person presentation when not eating or drinking and encourage attendees to practice social distancing. Masks, socially distant seating of 3-4 attendees per table, and ample sanitizing stations will be provided during the program.
2:00 – 4:00 p.m., 2.0 ethics
Live Webinar Only
9:00 – 11:00 a.m., 2.0 ethics
Live Webinar Only
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The Cares Act & Implications for Family Law FREE October Seminar
Wednesday, October 20, 2021
2:00 - 5:00 pm
2.5 credits + .5 ethics
At this seminar, skilled practitioners will discuss the family law issues that may arise in conjunction with the Cares Act, which was signed into law in March of 2020. This Act, intended to assist families in need of immediate financial assistance due to the COVID-19 pandemic, has provided individuals with advance tax credit payments. The panel will discuss the parallel issues that surface relating to child support/divorce and share their strategies for handling these matters.
This seminar will be available as a live webinar through Zoom or in-person at the Rhode Island Bar Association classroom. Please indicate your preference when calling to register. In-person seating is limited.
If you are not a member of the Volunteer Lawyer Program, Elderly Pro Bono program, or US Armed Forces Legal Services Project, please contact us to join today and receive further information on the upcoming registration process.
Please note you must be a member of the pro bono programs and agree to accept a family law case to register.
Staff members John Ellis, [email protected] or Elisa King, [email protected] will be happy to provide further details. You may also reach them at 401-421-7758 or 421-7799. |
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2021-22 Bar Member Dues Invoices Now Available |
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The Rhode Island Bar Association online dues invoices are now available for the 2021-22 year. The Bar no longer postal mails invoices to members. Please go to the Bar's website at ribar.com and log in with your Bar ID and password. Click DASHBOARD and then MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL. Once there, you may access your personalized invoice and make your payment online by following the prompts. *Please note: your username to login to the RIBA website is your Bar number.
This year the Rhode Island Bar Association is going digital with our Bar ID Cards and will no longer postal mail hard copies to members unless requested. Once your dues have been paid and processed, you can access your bar card through the DASHBOARD area of the MEMBERS ONLY section on our website. From there click on MEMBERSHIP CARD which will allow you to print the card or download it to your phone for easy access! Please note, once your payment has been processed it may take up to 24 hours for your card to become available. You may request a paper copy of your card by contacting Office Manager Susan Cavalloro by phone at 401-421-5740 or email at [email protected].
You do not have to pay your dues online. As an alternative, you may download your invoice and pay by check. Or, you may contact the Bar at (401) 421-5740 and request your invoice be sent to you via postal mail. Please remember you must request the postal mailed invoice, as otherwise the only way to access your invoice is online.
If you have any questions, please contact Office Manager Susan Cavalloro by phone at (401) 421-5740 or email: [email protected]
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The CLE Office is busy finalizing programs for the fall. New programs for October will be open for registration soon. In the meantime, check out the programs available for registration now below!
LA Law(less)
1:00 – 2:00 p.m., 1.0 ethics
Live Webinar Only
Fantasy Supreme Court League: The 2021 Season
12:00 – 2:00 p.m., 2.0 credits
Live Webinar Only
The Intersection of Ethics and Artificial Intelligence
1:00 – 2:00 p.m., 1.0 ethics
Live Webinar Only
Initiating and Defending Discovery in Plaintiff's Cases - Beyond the Basics
12:45 – 1:45 p.m., 1.0 credit
Live Webinar Only
“Micro” Self-Care: Quick, Simple, Replenishing Practices You Can Use Throughout the Workday
1:00 – 2:00 p.m., 1.0 ethics
Live Webinar Only
Smart Devices: In Your Home, Car & Office
11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.,
1.0 credit + .5 ethics
In-Person at the Rhode Island Law Center
Boston (Il)legal
1:00 – 2:00 p.m., 1.0 ethics
Live Webinar Only
Don’t forget to visit the CLE calendar for all of our program offerings! |
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Do you have an idea for an article? |
The editors of the Rhode Island Bar Journal invite Bar members to submit articles and information for Rhode Island Bar Journal publication consideration. As a primary source of news and information for all Rhode Island Bar Association members, the Bar Journal is an outstanding forum for articles concerning all areas of practice. The Journal seeks original articles, written expressly for the first publication in the Bar Journal, by members of the Rhode Island Bar Association. Rhode Island Bar Journal submissions include:
- Articles written about specific areas of the law or relating to the practice of law.
- Case Studies of historic or recent past cases.
- Counterpoint pieces to recent, previously published articles.
- Histories regarding the practice of law and government in Rhode Island.
- Book Reviews about law practice, legal, or political topics.
- Bar Committee reports and information of interest to members.
Please click here to review the Rhode Island Bar Journal Article Selection Criteria, which also appears on page 4 of every Rhode Island Bar Journal. All issues of the Bar Journal since 2009 are located in the Bar Journal Archive on our website or by clicking here. To view the most recent issues of the Bar Journal, please click here or visit the Bar Journal Homepage. If you have any questions concerning Bar Journal article or news item submissions, please contact Rhode Island Bar Journal Editor Erin R. Cute by telephone: (401) 421-5740 or email: [email protected]
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Follow Us on Social Media So You Never Miss an Update! |
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The Bar is going paperless! As a reminder, the Rhode Island Bar Journal is now being distributed to members in a digital format via email, as well as our monthly CLE seminar brochures. Make sure you are following us on all our social media accounts, so you never miss an update!
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Lawyer Referral Service Renewal
Please note the quickest and easiest way to renew your Lawyer Referral Service membership is on your Rhode Island Bar Association Membership Dues Invoice. Simply check off the box for the Lawyer Referral Service and include your $100.00 LRS annual membership fee when paying your annual member dues. If you prefer, you may send your check directly to the LRS, 41 Sharpe Drive, Cranston, RI 02920 to the attention of Caitlin Poland. If you have any questions on the renewal process or joining, please email [email protected] or phone 401-421-7799. |
Spotlight on Pro Bono Cases |
Highlighted below are two cases in need of placement through one or more of your Bar Association’s pro bono programs including the Volunteer Lawyer Program, Pro Bono Program for the Elderly and/or US Armed Forces Legal Services Project. Please take a moment and review the case summaries below. Whether you are already a member or may be interested in joining, we are in dire need of your expertise and assistance. Mentors are available through the programs. For further details, please contact Susan Fontaine, [email protected] or 401-421-7758.
Program for the Elderly
Alimony (Contempt of Court) Woonsocket – Client’s husband was ordered to pay her $50.00 a week in
alimony but has not paid her since June. Client was a stay- at- home Mom during the marriage and gets very little in Social Security.
Volunteer Lawyer Program
Bankruptcy – Client from North Providence had a stroke on March 11 and wants to file a Chapter 7 bankruptcy. He did not have adequate health care insurance and he is $80K in debt from medical bills, credit cards, and utilities. He is currently convalescing in a nursing home but wants to return to his house soon.
If you are interested in taking one of the cases listed above, please contact Elisa King for the Elderly program, [email protected] and John Ellis for VLP, [email protected]. You may also contact them via phone at 401-421-7758. |
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6 Tips for a Healthy Fall
Fall is right around the corner which means we are entering cold and flu season! As the temperatures drop, so does our motivation to stick to our healthy habits. Are you ready to finish the last days of the year strong? Here are 6 fall wellness tips to keep you feeling your best!
Boost Your Immune System: as the weather gets colder and flu season starts, it’s important for your immune system to be in tip-top shape. Eating healthy foods with vitamin C are key to fighting off infections. Remember to drink plenty of water and wash your hands often.
Buy In-Season Produce: during this time of year, a variety of vegetables and fruits make their appearance in grocery stores. Get adventurous and try a new produce item! Some of the nutrient dense options to consider adding to your plate: brussels sprouts, butternut squash, crab apples, cranberries, and turnips.
Prepare for Daylight Savings Time: as the sun goes down earlier, it can throw off your natural circadian rhythm. Go to bed earlier when you can, especially the week before the clocks change and try to maintain a sleep schedule of at least seven hours per night.
Moisturize Your Skin: harsh temperatures can make your skin dry, which can make it susceptible to infections and outbreaks. Remember to use a daily moisturizer during the colder months that is preferably made up of all-natural ingredients and is best suited to the type of skin that you have.
Try a Tech Detox: as the weather turns colder it can be tempting to spend even more time on your phone, laptop, tablet, or other gadgets—but this can be a detriment to your health. Fall is the perfect time for a tech detox. Instead of picking up your phone or tablet, pick up a book or take up another hobby.
Sterilize Your Most Touched Items: your cell phone, keyboard, remote, and tablet are all germ habitats. It’s good to make it a habit to sanitize these areas with Clorox wipes frequently. Especially throughout cold and flu season, make sure you’re sanitizing these areas weekly.
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Many lawyers still love to dictate. Lots of lawyers use Microsoft Word every day. Yet, a number of attorneys tend to rely on staff or old school recording devices for dictation. But, there’s a simpler solution; and, it likely won’t cost you any money. Look at the ribbon in Microsoft Word and find the microphone icon. That’s a dictation tool, built into Word. Click on it, and start talking. This is the droid you’re looking for.
This tech tip is brought to you by the Bar Association’s Law Practice Management Consultant, Jared Correia, of Red Cave Law Firm Consulting. If you need help with billing, client relations, data management, financial management, marketing, office technology, time management, disaster prevention & recovery, or any other area related to managing your practice, Red Cave Law Firm Consulting will provide Rhode Island Bar Association members with unlimited virtual consulting services (email, telephone, chat, video) FREE OF CHARGE. To get started, visit the Bar’s LPM page here, or just email Jared directly at [email protected]. |
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It’s Not Too Late to Sign Up for Your 2021-2022 Bar Committees!
If you have not yet signed up as a member of a 2021-¬2022 Rhode Island Bar Association Committee, you can still do so! Bar committee membership runs from July 1st to June 30th. Even Bar members who previously served on Bar committees must reaffirm their interest for the coming year, as committee membership does not automatically carry over from one Bar year to the next.
Please join no more than three committees.
Anyone signing up for Bar committees after August 15th can do so by contacting Membership Services Coordinator Sherilyn Gutierrez at [email protected]. |
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Seeking Law Related Education Program Attorney Volunteers!
Your Bar Association supports law related education (LRE) for Rhode Island children and adults through three, longstanding programs: Lawyers in the Classroom and Rhode Island Law Day for upper and middle school teachers and students, and the Speakers Bureau for adult organizations. Responding to LRE requests, Bar volunteers are contacted – based on their geographic location and noted areas of legal interest – to determine their interest and availability.
If you are interested in serving as an LRE volunteer, and even if you have previously served as LRE volunteer, we are asking you to complete the new application to ensure our database is current with your continuing interest. Please click here to sign up as a volunteer for the Bar's classroom-based and adult non-profit organization-based Law Related Education programs.
Questions? Please contact: Director of Communications Erin Cute by phone at (401) 421-5740 or email at [email protected]
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Rhode Island Bar Association
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