Vol. 4 No. 9 September 2001

Northern Nevada Women Lawyers Association

www.NNWLA.org

 

 

Gabrielle J. Carr, President

Amy Tirre, Vice President

Lori Story, Secretary

Nathalie Huynh, Treasurer

Jill Greiner, Historian

Elizabeth Fielder, Webmistress
 

 

SEPTEMBER MEETING

September 18th

Bricks Restaurant

 

Mr. Ian Hill, a motivational speaker and community activist will be speaking at our September meeting. He will discuss the "Urgency of Now." Mr. Hill is currently the managing partner of BristleCone Ventures, a $30 million dollar early stage venture capital fund. His appearances are always well received and enjoyable. Join us for what will be an uplifting luncheon.

This months menu choices are Roasted Turkey Sandwich with thinly sliced chilled turkey breast, fresh tomato, avocado and lettuce on focaccia or Filet of British Columbia Salmon broiled with a caper vinaigrette and served with grilled vegetables and pasta.

 Cost is $15.00. Make your reservations today by contacting Gabrielle Carr at 688-1958 by no later than September 14th.

NNWLA SUSTAINING MEMBERS

Deborah A. Agosti

Troy Anderson

Sallie Armstrong

Christine Bailey

Nancy Becker

Judge Janet Berry

Linda A. Bowman

Linda G. Brodsky

Sara Beth Brown

Janet L. Chubb

Carol A. Cooke

Judge Val Cooke

Audrey Damonte

Linda Nagy Daykin

Bonnie F. Drinkwater

Miranda Du

Michelle Erlach

Judge Barbara Finley

Kendra Follett

Nancy Moss Ghusn

Julia Gold

Jill Greiner

Ann Hall

Jenny Hubach

Nathalie Huynh

Linda Linton

Pat Lundvall

Peggy Manes

Victoria Mendoza

Alice C. Mercado

Ann Morgan

Kathleen Noneman

Shelly O’Neill

Bridget Robb Peck

Pamela Roberts

Barbara Salerno

Myra Sheehan

Lynne Jones Simons

Jennifer Stern

Lori Story

Amy N. Tirre

Margaret Twedt

Jill Whitbeck

Phillis Whittiker

Sandra Wilson

Joan Wright

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

PROPOSAL APPROVED FOR
PARTNERS IN EDUCATION
TRANER MIDDLE SCHOOL!!!

The NNWLA members approved the proposal made by Valerie Cooke and Cecilia Rosenauer that NNWLA become a partner in education with Traner Middle School for a three-year period, beginning in September 2001. The program will support and advance opportunities for middle school girls who would greatly benefit from such a program!!! If you are interested in assisting Magistrate Judge Valerie Cooke and Cissy Rosenauer in this wonderful opportunity, please contact Gabrielle Carr at 688-1958 for more information about

1. Speakers Bureau

  1. UNR Sports-Pizza Night

  2. Moms and Daughters Clothes Closet

4. Girls Basketball Uniforms

5. Summer Camp Scholarship Fund:

CARSON LUNCHEON

SEPTEMBER 27, 2001

CARSON WOMEN LAWYERS LUNCH

"Legislative Update: Highlights of the 2001 Session"

Mark your calendars! On Thursday, September 27, the Carson chapter will be meeting at noon at Glen Eagles, 3700 N. Carson Street. Please confirm early, as space is limited.

We are pleased to present LINDA LAW, who will present "Legislative Update: Highlights of the 2001 Session". Ms Law is a Policy Analyst with the Office of the Governor. Ms Law has been involved in the legislative process since 1977 with previous experience in the research division of the Legislative Counsel Bureau.

Ms. Law will provide a general overview as well as discuss legislative changes in several areas of interest including trade practices, domestic violence, child custody, child abuse, child support, and other domestic relation issues, as well as civil liability and court issues

Lunch choices are: Chicken Caesar Salad

Chicken Enchiladas Deli Turkey Sandwich

Cost is $14, which includes beverage. Call Ronda Moore at 684-1228 with your choice by Thursday, September 20, 2001.

OUTSTANDING WOMEN LAWYER COMMITTEE MEETING

The next planning committee meeting is scheduled for Noon on Thursday, August 30, 2001 at the law offices of Jones Vargas, 100 West Liberty Street, 12th Floor. You can either bring lunch or buy something from the Corner Café in the building to bring upstairs. Please contact Amy Tirre at 788-2209 for further information.

2001 NNWLA SCHOLARSHIP DONATIONS NEEDED!

In December, 2000 NNWLA established the tax-exempt Scholarship Fund through the Community Foundation of Western Nevada. You can make your tax-deductible contributions to assist a female law student with her law school expenses. The donation is supportive of women in our profession and truly appreciated. Please help support a future colleague. Contact Jill Greiner for more information at 322-8443.

Mini Morale Maximizers: Simple Things To Do To

Make Your Office A Better Place

By Christine Y. Le Bel

George Bernard Shaw once said: "The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and if they cannot find them, make them." If we want a happy workplace, we are partially responsible for it, even if we are not part of the management team. Simple as they are, it’s easy to forget the small, inexpensive, but oh-so important, ways we can contribute to increased morale:

  1. Say hello to people you pass in the hallways.

  1. Ask your co-workers to lunch.

  1. Keep your door open whenever possible.

  1. Keep candy on your desk - it’s a great way to get visitors.

  1. Keep your colleagues "in the loop" when you’re working together; if you have e-mail use it.

  1. Don’t spread gossip - it provokes fear and mistrust.

  1. Remember birthdays, administrative professionals’ observances, and other days important to your colleagues.

  1. Ask "How are you?" and mean it; people are more than their titles in the firm.

  1. If you’re the manager of others, don’t forget to tell them when they’re doing a good job. Don’t fly off the handle when they’re not. Develop constructive ways to criticize.

  1. Give appropriate and detailed instructions, including the priority of a project.

  1. Don’t procrastinate on work in which you need others’ help. They won’t be thrilled to miss their child’s birthday party because you just remembered at 4:00 p.m. to tell them of the 8:00 a.m. deadline.

  1. Lend a hand where you can. While it’s necessary to delegate appropriately, when you think some task is beneath you risk condescension, which no one appreciates.

  1. Introduce your guests to everyone you pass; exclusion breeds contempt.

  1. Smile

Christine Le Bel is an associate at the law firm of Zevnik Horton LLP in Los Angeles. Article published in Young Lawyer, Volume 5, Number 10, 2001.

"SO YOU WANT TO BE A CONTRACT LAWYER. . ."

In a thriving legal market, many firms seek the options provided by contract lawyers -- independent contractors who generally work on a project-by-project basis. Law firms with heavy workloads get the assistance they need without the risk and overhead of hiring a new associate. The contract lawyer gains the flexibility to choose projects and to control the workday and workload. contract legal work also is a way to transition into a solo legal practice. Here are some times if you're thinking of stepping off the partnership track to become a contract lawyer.

1. Determine the contract rate for your area. Hourly rates vary depending on experience and the type of work being preformed. To start, you may consider charging 5-% of the rate at which the firm could bill your work to its clients.

2. Identify the type of work you want to do and tell everyone you know. Consider developing a brochure listing your abilities, experience, and rates. Identify your target market and send your brochure to those firms.

3. Prepare a written contract specifying the work you will perform and the associated deadlines. The contract also should specify the hourly rate you will be paid, your billing cycle, and clarify that you will be paid for all work performed.

4. Underpromise and overperform. Contract legal work is often very time sensitive. Stay in contact with your law firm client and keep them updated on your progress. Your reputation for timely completion of quality work will determine your success as a contract lawyer.

Republished by permission

Young Lawyer , Volume 5, No. 7, April 2001

CHANGES AND CORRECTIONS TO 2001 NNWLA

MEMBERSHIP ROSTER

Please update your 2001 Membership rosters with the following information:

Brodsky, Linda The correct telephone number is (775) 322-3366 and facsimile number is (775) 329-0789. Note that she practices under Debtor Bankruptcy and not Creditor Bankruptcy.

Whitbeck, Jill Her telephone number is (775) 337-8863 and her facsimile number is (775) 337-8873. Please correct page 24 under Litigation, Mass Torts, Nursing Homes and Personal Injury. Please correct page 25 under Product Liability. Please correct page 26 under Tort Law.

WASHOE COUNTY LAW LIBRARY

LAWYER IN THE LIBRARY: The Library staff would like to thank the following attorneys for participating in the Lawyer in the Library program this last month: Glade Hall, Megan Barker and Michael Morrison. Call Diane Swanson at Volunteer Lawyers (329-2727 Ext. 28) if you would like to volunteer.

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:

Closed Monday, September 3 Labor Day

 

Please join

Nevada Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa

For the Ribbon Cutting and Dedication of the

Victims of Crime Labyrinth Garden

Rancho San Rafael Regional Park in Reno, Nevada

September 20, 2001

8:00 A.M. – Continental Breakfast, Ranch House

8:45 A.M. – Dedication Ceremony, Labyrinth Garden

Rancho San Rafael Regional Park

1502 Washington Street

Please RSVP to: Michael Pennington, Office of the Attorney General at (775) 684-1112 by September 18

HEARTFELT THANKS FROM NANCY MOSS GHUSN FOR NEVADA WOMEN’S FUND "WOMEN OF ACHIEVEMENT" NOMINATION

In a letter to the Board, Nancy said:

"Please accept my heartfelt thanks for nominating me as a Nevada "Woman of Achievement". The lunch was good, the company (Amy Tirre escorted me and joined me for lunch) was engaging, and the program, with Madeline Albright as the keynote speaker, was outstanding… However, I must admit that what was truly wonderful was the recognition from an organization such as Northern Nevada Women Lawyers and its members, for whom I have such great respect. I was, and will remain, so very flattered. Thank you again. Very Truly Yours, Nancy Moss Ghusn".

You are welcome and we appreciate you as an incredibly insightful and giving member of this organization.

NITA ANNOUNCES TRAINING THE WOMAN ADVOCATE PROGRAM

The National Institute for Trial Advocacy will present its renowned trial skills program for female litigators, TRAINING THE WOMAN ADVOCATE, at Loyola University Chicago, October 7-12, 2001.

THREE PROGRAMS IN ONE

Each segment of this information-packed program addresses issues unique to the woman advocate in three skill areas: deposition, basic trial, and communication.

TUITION/CLE INFORMATION

Tuition for the program is $1,650. Scholarships and interest-free payment plans are available. The number of CLE credits each state allows will be available prior to the program from the state CLE Administrator's Office and the NITA Admissions Office. Please note that state CLE fees are not included in the NITA tuition fee and are payable at registration for the program.

For more information on TRAINING THE WOMAN ADVOCATE, contact Shari Herman at 1-800-225-6482 ext. 234, or click on the following link to visit their website and learn even more about this unique program:

http://www.nita.org/programorder.asp?Action=Show&Part=WOIL

NITA is a not-for-profit institute headquartered at the University of Notre Dame Law School.

* * * * * *

FINANCE WORKSHOP

You are invited to attend an important workshop Taking Control: A Financial
Management Workshop for Women
Tuesday, September 11, 9 am to 12 pm
Or
Saturday, September 29, 10 am to 1 pm
At New York Life General Office
50 W. Liberty Street, Suite 500
(Bank of America Bldg. - Liberty & Virginia)

Refreshments provided

Presented by Carisse M. Gafni, registered representative of NYLIFE Securities Inc.
50 W. Liberty Street, Suite 500, Reno, NV 89501 775 323-0751
A free workbook with nearly 150 pages of financial strategies will be yours to use as a resource. To reserve a seat and a workbook, call 325-2292 or e-mail: cmgafni@ft.newyorklife.com
Space is limited!