November 13, 2001 at 12:00 Noon

1695 South Virginia Street

NNWLA is proud to present a panel discussion from various individuals who have obtained a law degree and have chosen alternative careers to the practice of law.

Lunch choices include:

To RSVP, please contact Gabrielle Carr at 688-1958 by Friday, November 9, 2001.

________________________________________________________________________________________

As of October 2001, we have been approved for the following CLE credits:

(Carson City Lunch too)

* 1 hour for Legislative changes in 2001.

* 1 hour for Internet Research

(Carson City Lunch Only)

Congratulations to Magistrate Judge Valerie P. Cooke! On October 18, 2001, NNWLA honored U.S. Magistrate Judge Valerie P. Cooke as the Outstanding Woman Lawyer of the Year at an award dinner at the Eldorado Hotel & Casino. The event was a big success. We had over 250 attendees. Judge Cooke expressed her sincere appreciation for this honor and really enjoyed the event.

Our president, Gabrielle Carr, opened the program with a welcome and introductions. The Honorable Deborah Schumacher served as the Master of Ceremonies. She ensured that the program ran very smoothly. The Reed High School Navy Junior R.O.T.C. provided a color guard for the presentation of the flag. Jessica Otto, who is the Battalion Commander of the R.O.T.C., sang our national anthem. What a voice! Following the national anthem, Justice Agosti, amused us with a poem ending with "God Bless the Cook."

Margo Piscevich presented a proclamation to Judge Cooke from Governor Kenny Guinn. Following the proclamation, we heard personal remarks from Judge McKibben, Angie Taylor, and Judge Griffin. Judge McKibben entertained us with photos representing Judge Cooke’s impact on the local federal bench. Angie Taylor regaled us with stories of why Judge Cooke is "phenomenal." Judge Griffin’s remarks were humorous and yet touching, drawing from his experience with Judge Cooke serving on the Nevada Judicial Discipline Commission.

Jamie Felten, Judge Cooke’s husband, produced a terrific video, reflecting Judge Cooke’s multi-faceted personality. He coordinated music with photographs and video clips of Judge Cooke - running in marathons, being a soccer mom, and dressing for success (those Halloween costumes are truly amazing!).

Our keynote speaker was Donna Shavlik, who is the former Director of the Office of Women in Higher Education, American Council on Women. Actually, her accomplishments are quite impressive and extensive. Ms. Shavlik’s speech touched upon the advances of women in our modern world, but also reminded us that equality is still a dream for women in some parts of the world. She attended the Human Rights Convention (Gabrielle - please edit) in China in 1995 and spoke of the ten resolutions that emerged from the program to strengthen women’s rights. Ms. Shavlik’s tone was warm yet serious and very appropriate for our times.

The Honorable Phyllis Halsey Atkins presented the Outstanding Woman Lawyer Award to Judge Cooke. Her remarks were thoughtful and complimentary to her successor on the bench. The actual award is a gorgeous crystal vase with an engraved base, designating the award. Judge Cooke will receive a bouquet of flowers every month for the next year for the vase.

Judge Cooke also recognized four teachers and administrators from Traner Middle School, which is the school that NNWLA has selected for its "Partners in Education Program." Judge Cooke has been an inspiration and driving force behind this program, which NNWLA knows will meet with great success.

Judge Cooke also acknowledged the many people who made the Outstanding Woman Lawyer Award Dinner possible. Amy Tirre, Cissy Rosenauer, Becky Bruch, Gayle Kern, Debra Newman, and Lori Story served on the planning committee. Judge Cooke’s husband, Jamie Felten, single-handedly put together the terrific video, which was a great deal of work. McDonald Carano Wilson McCune Bergin Frankovich & Hicks donated the excellent Ferrari Carano merlot and chardonnay for the dinner - thank you again, Miranda Du. Nell Lawver, Amy Tirre’s assistant, was invaluable in putting together the program and coordinating the RSVP’s. Chris Cendagorta and the Washoe County Bar made it possible for NNWLA to send out invitations to the bar. The event was the product of a true teamwork!

Valerie P. Cooke was appointed to the position of United States Magistrate Judge on November 1, 1999. Prior to her appointment, she was a partner in the law firm of McDonald Carano Wilson McCune Bergin Frankovich & Hicks LLP, where she devoted her practice to creditors’ rights in bankruptcy and commercial litigation. Judge Cooke graduated cum laude from the University of Nevada, Reno with a bachelor of arts degree in English. A third generation Nevada lawyer, she received her juris doctorate from Northwestern School of Law of Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon, where she served on the law review and was a member of the Cornelius Honor Society.

In 1995, Governor Bob Miller appointed Judge Cooke to the Nevada Tax Commission, where she served as vice-chair until her appointment to the bench. From 1997 until her appointment, she also served on the Nevada Judicial Discipline Commission. Judge Cooke has been a member of the Northern Nevada Women Lawyers Association since 1983 and served as its president in 1990. She is a member of the Bruce R. Thompson Inn of the American Inns of Court and the National Women Judges Association.

In 1997 and 1998, Judge Cooke served as the president of PackPAWS, an organization affiliated with the University of Nevada, Reno to promote and advance women’s intercollegiate athletics, and she continues to serve on the executive committee.

Past and current recipients of the Outstanding Woman Lawyer Award include:

1989 Charlotte Arley

1990 Janet Chubb

1993 Honorable Deborah Agosti

1994 Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa

1997 Honorable Miriam Shearing

1999 Honorable PhyllisHalsey Atkins

2001 Honorable Valerie P. Cooke

Northern Nevada Women Lawyers Association acknowledges the generous contributions of the following individuals, businesses, and organizations in making this event possible:

Washoe County Bar Association
Chris Cendagorta
Jones Vargas
Kern & Rosenauer, Ltd.
McDonald Carano Wilson McCune Bergin Frankovich & Hicks
John Ries Photography
Jamie Felten
Troy Anderson

The Outstanding Women Lawyer dinner was very successful thanks to the incredible amount of time and effort provided by the OWL Dinner Committee as mentioned above. They did a wonderful job of organizing the many details and taking the time to ensure that the event was one of the best dinners we have had. Our greatest appreciation goes to these individuals for dedicating so much for our benefit. Thank you again to each of you and all of those who attended, gave and supported this event. We are so very grateful for all of you.

NNWLA is sponsoring a Moms and Daughters Clothes Closet on December 1st for the moms and daughters at Traner Middle School. (Clothing for boys is welcome, also.) The girls need everything from good shoes, jeans, and sweatshirts to skirts, dresses, coats, mittens, and hats. Moms need work clothes, suits, shoes, pants, purses, jackets, coats, and even accessories. If you have clothing for younger children, that will also be greatly appreciated. Also, you can help by purchasing underwear and socks. These are items that people need, but may not be able to afford.

We know you are busy people, but taking time to help others by donating clothing and volunteering an evening or morning brings great rewards.

ADVERTISEMENT

Beautiful and spacious Tahoe lakefront condo in Incline Village/Crystal Bay available for rent beginning 12/1; 2 bedroom 2 1/2 bath plus loft, garage, decks and views. Share w/ professional female; N/S, N/P; $810 per month plus 1/2 utilities. Call (775) 831-9102.