Announcments

Game On!!!  Compete to Win a New Apple iPhone!

BASF wants to make you the owner of a brand new Apple iPhone!  Refer individuals to sign up for BASF membership during the month of February and you will immediately become eligible to win when they join. See contest rules and guidelines.

VLSP Announces Appoints New Directors to its Board

Read the press release.

UC Hastings presents Waking from the California Dream: The Past, Present, and Future of California's Fiscal Constitution on February 25

UC Hastings Constitutional Law Quartely is hosting its 37th annual symposium--Waking from the California Dream: The Past, Present, and Future of California's Fiscal Constitution--on Thursday, February 25, from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. at UC Hastings.  Academics, policymakers, and practitioners will come together to discuss the origin of California's fiscal crisis, the state's options given the current constitutional constraints, and the practicality of reform measures.  This event is open to the public and approved for MCLE credit by the State Bar of California.  Please visit http://www.uchastings.edu/clq/symposium.html to register and for more information.  Cost: $25 in advance, $35 at the door, and free for students.

BASF sends letter to in regards to Judge Edward Chen's Appointment

In a letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, BASF wrote to request that he promptly bring to the Senate floor an up-or-down vote on the nomination of the Honorable Edward M. Chen to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. 

Read the letter. (187KBPDF)

BASF sends letter to Obama Administration regarding the appointment of Sharon Browne

The BASF Board of Directors sent a letter to the Obama Administration asking for the withdrawal of the nomination of Sharon Browne to the Legal Services Corporation board of directors.

Read the letter. (170KBPDF)

Save the date: VLSP Happy Hour Fundraiser on March 1

Join VLSP after work for a drink on March 1 at Bin 38. The event will take place on the heated and tented back patio. Bin 38 has generously agreed to donate $4 for every glass of wine and $2 for every beer sold. We hope to see you there! For more information please email Andrea Fitandies.

Join BASF's Delegates to the Conference of Delegates for an informational reception for prospective delegates.

BASF Endorses Public Broadcasting of District Court Proceedings

Read the press release and letter from BASF.

ABA Seeks Judges for Moot Trial Competition

The ABA Law Student Division is hosting a moot court competition in San Francisco, February 25-27, 2010.  The division is seeking licensed attorneys to serve as competition judges.  The competition will be held at the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California (450 Golden Gate Ave., San Francisco, CA 94102).  Judges may earn CLE credit if California provides credit for judging law student moot court competitions.

Specific details about the regional competition can be found on the ABA Web site.

BASF Board of Directors Appeals to the Governor for Court Funding

Read the letter. (1MBPDF)

Save the Date: Project for Attorney Retention Annual Conference is March 18

Registration information will be posted in January on the Project for Attorney Retention Web site at http://www.AttorneyRetention.org.

The Second Annual Crystal Ball is March 20

Please join us on Saturday, March 20, 2010 in your semi-formal attire and be ready to dance the night away while enjoying complimentary appetizers, wine & beer. Or you could spend your evening trying to outbid your colleagues at the Crystal Ball Silent Auction. Get your tickets now.

Law Firms Continue to Give Through the Head Start Holidy Gift Program

View the list of firms that sponsored Head Start classed in 2009.

Hastings Leadership Academy for Women presents a program for Women Law Firm Partners July 11-15

The Project for Attorney Retention and The Center for WorkLife Law at Hastings College of the Law are pleased to announce the 2010 Hastings Leadership Academy for Women, an executive education program designed exclusively for women law firm partners. The program is designed to help experienced women lawyers stride confidently to the highest levels of success in their law firms, their communities and the legal profession.

For more information visit http://www.attorneyretention.org/LAW.

Law Academy Youth Program Needs Mentors

BASF’s Law Academy high school pipeline program needs volunteers to mentor students on how to prepare for a legal internship and guide them through a research project. The program is designed to make the classroom curriculum more relevant, broaden the students’ sense of their own potential and expand the walls of the classroom with professional experiences. To learn more contact Barristers Club Law Academy committee co-chair Ryan Sandrock at rsandrock@sidley.com.

Law Firms: Sign the Pro Bono Pledge

The Volunteer Legal Services Program, along with Supreme Court Chief Justice George and U.S. District Court Chief Judge Walker, are asking law firms to reaffirm their commitment to pro bono work by signing the San Francisco Bay Area Law Firm Pledge in Support of Pro Bono Services.

Join the growing list of Bay Area law firms who encourage and support attorney involvement in pro bono work, including giving affirmative consideration to pro bono activity in determining compensation and career advancement.

Read and download the Pro Bono Pledge.

Publish and Prosper: Get Published in San Francisco Attorney magazine or the BASF Bulletin newspaper

Writing an article for San Francisco Attorney magazine and the BASF Bulletin newspaper is not only a great way to help your colleagues better understand issues and topics of mutual concern, publication also positions you as an authority on your subject. Both publications are always seeking articles authored by members of BASF on relevant legal trends, practice management issues, and solo and small firm experiences, to name a few.

CLE Credit: Authors may also receive State Bar of California MCLE self-study credit for the preparation of written materials accepted for publication. For MCLE guidelines for “Writing Published Legal Materials,” visit http://www.calbar.ca.gov/state/calbar/calbar_generic.jsp?cid=13310&id=5007#writing.