Tuesday, February 20, 2001, 12 noon at

1695 S. Virginia Street

Our speaker this month will be

Judge Adams will provide us with insight into the new Business Court, what types of matters will be handled; how the court will be organized and what is expected of attorneys.

Lunch Choices include: Broiled Chicken Breast over Caesar Salad or Portabella Mushroom and Swiss on Whole Wheat Bread with Mixed Green Salad.

Cost is $12.00 (includes beverage). Make your reservations today by contacting Chris at Gabrielle Carr’s Office – 324-1011.

Mark your calendars! The next meeting of the Carson chapter of NNWLA will be Thursday, March 22 at noon at Station Grill & Rotisserie at 1105 So. Carson St., Carson City.

We are pleased to have CARISSE M. GAFNI, a Registered Representative with New York Life Securities, Inc., as our speaker in March. Ms. Gafni will speak on the subject of WOMEN, MONEY AND FINANCIAL SECURITY, providing guidance on financial planning and management for women in these changing financial times.

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Ms. Gafni has a broad range of expertise and experience. Prior to entering the financial services industry two and a half years ago, she was a Clinical Social Worker. She has a B.A. in Psychology from U.C.L.A., a Master's in Social Work from San Diego University and is presently working toward her LUTCF designation. Her presentation promises to be both interesting and informative.

The scholarship committee and NNWLA are very interested in donations to the fund to assist a female law student with her law school expenses. Our goal is to exceed the $1,000 scholarship award amounts that we have provided to women students for the past two years. The donation is tax deductible and truly appreciated. Please help support a future colleague. Contact Jill Greiner for more information at 322-8443.

After careful consideration of the nominations presented to the board members of NNWLA. The board proposes to the NNWLA members that Honorable Magistrate Judge Valerie Cooke be nominated as the 2001 Outstanding Woman Lawyer. The nomination will take place at a vote of the members at the NNWLA luncheon to be held on Tuesday, February 20, 2001.

The NNWLA Board generally votes to donate money to various organizations to either support women or others in the legal community such as our donations to the Washoe County Law Library and Federal Bar Association last year. We also have donated funds to help victims of crimes including women and children. NNWLA has chosen to donate $250 to the VICTORY program so that it can be dedicated during Victims’ Rights Week in April 2001. The VICTORY program is a Labyrinth Garden Proposal to Recognize Victims of Crime and is expected to be located in Rancho San Rafael Park. If you are interested in making a donation, please write to VICTORY, P.O. Box 60144, Reno, Nevada, 89506.

The "Lawyer in the Library" program was not scheduled for the last two weeks of December. We started the program again on Wednesday, January 3, with attorney J.T. Cardinalli. I would

like to thank J.T. Cardinalli for volunteering his time and encourage others who can volunteer for one Wednesday evening from 5-7 p.m. to call Tammy at Volunteer Lawyers. Her number is 329-2727 Ext. 25. I know she would appreciate some new volunteers to add to her list for 2001.

It is also time to renew your book circulation card for the year 2001 if you have not already done so. You should not throw away your present card as it has a permanent bar code on the back that enables you to use the automated circulation system. You can renew your card by completing an application and returning it to the law library with a check for $30.00. The law library staff will update the circulation system with current information allowing you to reuse your card. Your card must be renewed for the year 2001 in order to check out books.

LIBRARY HOURS

M-Th 8 a.m. -- 9 p.m.

F 8 a.m. -- 5 p.m.

S-Sun 10 a.m. -- 5 p.m.

HOLIDAYS

M. Feb. 19 Presidents’ Day Closed

Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa is seeking nominations for the Seventh Annual Nevada "Women’s Role Model Awards." The recipients, five each from the north and south, will be announced during media events in March, Women’s History Month.

"Every community in Nevada has a women’s role model who deserves to be recognized for her contributions to the community at large, and women and young girls specifically," Del Papa said. "The Women’s Role Model Awards seek to honor those women in our state who have actively worked to better the lives of others through their contribution of time, energy, devotion, spirit and community activism."

Nomination forms are available by calling the Attorney General’s office in Las Vegas at (702) 486-3420, in Reno at (775) 688-1818, or in Carson City at (775) 684-1100, or forms can be accessed on the Attorney General’s web site at http://ag.state.nv.us. Completed nomination forms should be postmarked no later than February 11, 2001. They can be mailed to:

Office of the Attorney General

Attn: Steve George

100 N. Carson Street

Carson City, NV 89701-4717

Nominations may also be faxed to (775) 684-1108.

"This is an opportunity to recognize outstanding Nevada Women: their achievements and their impact on our state," Del Papa said.

Previous recipients have included educators, health care workers, administrators,

community activists, business leaders, and individuals active in community-minded organizations.

"What they all have in common is their dedication and commitment to not only their communities, but to the unfolding history of our state," Del Papa said. For more information, please contact Steve George at (775) 684-1114.

Our membership continues to grow which allows so many more wonderful opportunities for our members. Please join and enjoy the networking opportunities as well as long lasting relationships with your colleagues!

Dues are as follows: Thirty-Five Dollars ($35.00) for those who have practiced less than 2 years. Fifty Dollars ($50.00) for those who have practiced for more than 2 years. One hundred dollars ($100.00) for sustaining members. We are enclosing our annual questionnaire in order to update our membership roster. Please fill it out and send it in with your 2001 dues to Gabrielle Carr, Esq., 499 W. Plumb Lane, Suite 202, Reno, Nevada 89509.

Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk.

When you lose, don't lose the lesson.

Follow the three Rs: Respect for self, respect for others responsibility for all your actions.

Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.

Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.

When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.

Spend some time alone every day.

Open your arms to change, but don't let go of your values.

Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.

Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you'll be able to enjoy it a second time.

A loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation for your life.

In disagreements with loved ones, deal only with the current situation.

Don't bring up the past.

Share your knowledge. It's a way to achieve immortality.

Be gentle with the earth.

Carisse M. Gafni

New York Life - Reno General Office

(775) 323-0751

Everyone wants financial success for themselves and their families. The dreams that we spend long hours working towards---whether it’s a first home, a college education for the children, or a retirement home some place warm---these are all goals on the path to financial security.

Unfortunately, it’s all too easy to stumble on the way to your destination. I’ve compiled a list of what I’ve found to be the most common errors people make in achieving their insurance and financial goals. They’re all potentially costly, and they could mean the difference between financial success and failure.

1. Failure to Plan---An old saying goes: "Most people don’t plan to fail, they fail to plan." This is particularly true when it comes to insurance and finances. If any planning is done it’s on a piecemeal basis, but that’s just not enough. To have a shot at accomplishing what we want, we must first set our goals, analyze what it will take to achieve those goals, and then implement a plan. The plan should include everything from savings and checking accounts, to longer term vehicles like annuities, CDs and IRAs, and the protection provided by life, health, and disability income insurance.

2. Insufficient Diversification---Another old adage still rings true: "Don’t put all your eggs in one basket." Diversification is generally considered a key to reducing risk and enhancing potential return. Some people believe that because they have CDs in three different banks they’re properly diversified. True diversification cuts across product types, lengths of maturity,

and asset categories. With a well diversified portfolio, you’re never too dependent on how well one product performs.

3. Insufficient Life Insurance---We’re quick to insure or cars and our homes, but too often we overlook our most important asset---ourselves. With mortgages, tuitions, and bills to be paid, it’s important to have proper coverage on all income earners. Some people may have group term life insurance through their employers, but this alone may not be sufficient. Be careful not to be overly dependent on group term, for these plans can be inflexible, may not be portable, and may not be available when you need it most---after age 65. Look into purchasing individual coverage to suit your particular needs. How much life insurance is enough? That depends on a number of personal factors including income and number of dependents. It’s best to sit down with an insurance professional to go over your needs and look at the available options.

4. Inadequate Disability Income Insurance---Your earning power is the generator that keeps the wheels of your household running smoothly. But what if that generator breaks down? The risk of disability, as well as its potential cost, is simply too great to ignore. Once again, a company-sponsored plan may be too limited for your needs. Typically, disability income insurance plans will cover 50 - 60% of your annual income for a predetermined period of time. You’ll want to study the policy carefully to understand all of the provisions, including the definition of disability, the waiting period following disability before you can collect, and the length of the payment period.

5. No Estate Plan---Some people have the impression that estate planning is just for the rich. Unfortunately, that view can be costly to their heirs. Your estate includes such items as your home, cash, investments, personal property, and other assets you and your spouse may own

jointly or as community property. These may add up to a lot more than you thought you were worth. Federal estate taxes begin at 37% for estates valued at more than $675,000* and can climb as high as 60% for larger estates. Add in state death taxes and final expenses and your death can be quite costly to your loved ones.

You owe it to your family to have an estate plan in place. An effective will, a trust arrangement, and adequate life insurance are some of the options available to you to help your heirs get what they deserve.

"To err is human" is yet another pearl of wisdom. Sure, everyone makes mistakes, but all of the ones outlined above can be avoided. With proper insurance products and financial strategies you can steer past those costly blunders and be on the road to financial success.

*New York Life and its agents do not provide tax, legal, or accounting advice. Please consult with your professional advisors regarding your particular situation.

*Gradually increasing to $1,000,000 by 2006

Carisse M. Gafni is an agent with New York Life and a Registered Representative of NYLife Securities Inc., 50 W. Liberty Street, Suite 1000, Reno, NV 89501. Carisse can be reached at: (775) 325-2292 or cmgafni@ft.newyorklife.com.

Office suites available February 1, 2001 in the charming, historic area near downtown Reno. The "Cooke House" is located at 421 Court Street, walking distance to state and federal courts and city offices. Please contact Kathleen Cooke, Property Mgr., 826-0977 or 852-1504.