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Thursday, March 6, 2025
State Bar of Nevada eNews
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State Bar Membership Awards: Kuzemka Wins Medal of Justice Award | |
The State Bar of Nevada is honored to announce that Kristine Kuzemka is the winner of this year’s Medal of Justice Award.
Kuzemka is recognized for her work spearheading the State Bar of Nevada’s wellness resources, including the Nevada Lawyer and Judge Assistance program, which provides clinical services for attorneys suffering from abuse, addiction and/or mental health issues that may impair professional competence. In addition to that program, she has also been instrumental in helping the bar provide additional wellness support to licensees, including expanding the bar’s free therapy benefit, supporting lawyers struggling with addiction through the Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers program, providing ongoing education and training, and providing crisis support when unexpected events occur.
The state bar’s Membership Awards winners will be recognized at the upcoming annual Bar Conference, which will take place June 12-13, 2025, in Washington, D.C.
We invite all licensees to make plans to join us there as we recognize Kuzemka and our other deserving honorees. These awards recognize individuals and organizations for their service to the bar and their contributions to the legal profession.
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This Week at the State Bar | The State Bar of Nevada is hiring an Assistant Bar Counsel for its Las Vegas office. | The state bar helps you get the CLE you need, at a time convenient for you. In addition to live seminars and webinars, our online CLE store provides pre-recorded seminars on demand, as well as Nevada Lawyer articles for CLE credit. Search our store today! | Did you know you can make changes to your contact information via the state bar’s attorney portal? You can also designate which address to send bar communications to. The site also allows attorneys to designate whether their email address is available to the public. | |
Pro Bono Challenge Points 53 Percent Ahead of Last Year’s Pace | |
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The State Bar of Nevada’s Section Pro Bono Challenge volunteers have helped the points total jump to 476 as of the end of February. This pace will put the challenge ahead of last year’s total. This year ALL section members can earn points, even if your section is not officially participating.
Getting points earns recognition at the annual bar conference in June, a Nevada Lawyer spread, and the top volunteer from each of the top 10 sections will be thanked at a luncheon this fall with the Nevada Supreme Court and Nevada Court of Appeals.
Congratulations to these sections with points on-the-board: Administrative, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Appellate Litigation, Bankruptcy, Business, Cannabis, Elder, Family, Labor and Employment, LGBTQ+, Litigation, Probate and Trust, Public Lawyers, Real Property, Solo and Small Practice, and Young Lawyers. Other participating sections include Gaming and Immigration.
Here’s more on how to get involved:
You can volunteer online and select your preferred legal service provider or reach out to them directly. The 2025 challenge runs through May 31.
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Supreme Court Holding Hearing on Trial Proceeding on Record | |
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Linda Marie Bell and Lidia S. Stiglich, justices of the Nevada Supreme Court, filed a petition in ADKT 0491 requesting the Nevada Supreme Court consider adopting Nevada Rule of Criminal Practice (N.R.Cr.P.) 21 to require all trial proceedings, including bench conferences and settling of jury instructions, be made on the record.
A public hearing will be conducted on the report at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, March 25, in the Nevada Supreme Court Courtroom in Carson City. The hearing will be videoconferenced to the courtroom in Las Vegas.
Written comments and requests to participate in the hearing regarding the proposed amendment are invited and may be submitted electronically or in hard-copy format to: Elizabeth A. Brown, Clerk of the Supreme Court, 201 South Carson Street, Carson City, Nevada 89701 or nvscclerk@nvcourts.nv.gov by 5 p.m. on March 18, 2025.
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Life Insurance Options Available for State Bar Licensees | |
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State Bar of Nevada licensees now have access to an enhanced portfolio of life insurance products through the State Bar of Nevada Insurance Marketplace — including options for licensees up to age 85, and coverage amounts up to $10,000,000.
Visit the Insurance Marketplace to explore the new plans, get quotes, and even apply online.
The Insurance Marketplace is a State Bar of Nevada Business Partner.
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Judiciary Expands Free Legal Resources with Website | |
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The State of Nevada’s judicial branch is proud to announce that the statewide legal self-help website selfhelp.nvcourts.gov now includes features aimed at providing free resources to empower individuals who are navigating the legal system.
The Supreme Court of Nevada Administrative Office of the Courts enlisted the help of technology company CiviLaw.Tech to develop innovative online tools, including instructional step-by-step guides and informative videos. These resources address many common topics including divorce, custody, paternity, child support, separate maintenance, annulment, guardianship, adoption, termination of parental rights, name changes, and more.
The Self-Help Center features an AI-powered chatbot offering multilingual support, available in more than 50 languages. Visitors can access information on court fees and fee waivers in various languages, along with details on free and low-cost legal assistance.
Legal Aid providers throughout Nevada are hosting Ask-A-Lawyer events at which members of the public can consult with a licensed attorney. The first three events are:
- Fallon: 11 a.m. until 2 p.m., Thursday, March 13, at the Churchill County Library
- Yerington: 11 a.m. until 2 p.m., Thursday, April 17, at the Lyon County Yerington Branch Library
- Pahrump: 10 a.m. until 2 p.m., Thursday, May 1, NYE Communities Coalition
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Featured CLE: Trial Academy | |
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Registration is open for the YLS Trial Academy on April 5-6, and April 11. This program provides great trial training for attorneys seeking to gain trial expertise.
The upcoming Young Lawyers Section Trial Academy will be the most immersive and thorough trial academy presented by the State Bar of Nevada. This year, the trial academy will span over three days, allowing participants to hone their skills one-on-one with experienced trial attorneys and to gain experience through a mock trial in front of the judges of the Eighth Judicial District Court.
Participants will learn about the various aspects of the trial process, including opening statements, direct examinations, cross examinations, closing arguments, evidence and objections, and ethics.
Seating is very limited, with only 24 spots. Sign up today!
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Program Date:
April 5-6, and April 11
Time:
9 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Location:
State Bar of Nevada’s Las Vegas office and Eighth Judicial District Courtroom
CLE Hours:
14 General credits and 1 A.A.M.H. credit
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