The Sections offer members a greater voice in the programs of the State Bar and up-to-date information on developments in particular fields of law. Join one or more of the State Bar Sections today.

• Register now for the Section Education Institute and California Solo and Small Firm Summit
• The California Guide to Opening and Managing a Law Office
• 35% Discount on ABA Books for Section Members
• Upcoming Programs
• Online CLE and Self-Study
• Sections Bookstore
• Important Information About Your Member Profile
• The Administrative Office of the Courts is currently submitting nominations to fill upcoming vacancies on Judicial Council advisory committees. For more information, see Judicial Council nominations.
• Other News

The State Bar Sections are presenting more than 60 programs at the State Bar of California's

Register Now : 2009 Section Education Institute and California Solo and Small Firm Summit

January 16-18, 2009
Claremont Resort and Spa
Berkeley

Save the dates! Join us at the beautiful Claremont Resort and Spa in Berkeley for an extensive selection of quality CLE programs and special events offered by the Sections of the State Bar of California.

This 2-1/2 day education event offers legal seminars and training programs concerning substantive legal issues and fundamental approaches to the practice of law.

Earn up to 16 Hours of CLE Credit in One Weekend! More information will be posted at www.calbar.ca.gov/sei as it becomes available.

NEW THIS YEAR! CALIFORNIA SOLO AND SMALL FIRM SUMMIT

The State Bar of California will present the inaugural California Solo and Small Firm Summit on January 15-16, 2009 at the Claremont Resort and Spa in Berkeley, California. Held in conjunction with the State Bar 2009 Section Education Institute (SEI), CSS education will continue throughout the weekend as a new CSS Track at the SEI.

The California Solo and Small Firm Summit provides strategic solutions for the practice of law and the management of a practice. Designed for legal professionals who work in a solo or small firm practice, the Summit will feature power networking events, mentoring circles, legal education classes, business management courses, and showcase products and services unique to the solo or small firm practitioner. Its overall objective is to offer strategies and tools that promote a thriving law practice.

The California Solo and Small Firm Summit opens at noon on Thursday, January 15 with a plenary luncheon program. CSS education sessions are presented through Friday noon, followed by a networking luncheon/wrap-up.

New Sections Publication:
The California Guide to Opening and Managing a Law Office
Published by The State Bar of California

Books will ship starting January 1! See the Sections Bookstore for more details.

As a sole practitioner or the head of a small firm, you must act as so much more than just CEO; you also must also wear the hats of Chief Financial Officer, Human Resources Director, Chief Technology Officer, and more. The California Guide to Opening and Managing a Law Office is your personal executive team:

• Introduction and Road Map to Using the Book
• The BIG Decision to Open Your Own Law office
• Creating a Business Plan
• Finding Office Space and Location - Facilities Manager
• Law Office Systems and Procedures - Chief Financial Officer
• Finance and Cash Management - Chief Financial Officer
• Technology - Chief Technology Officer
• Solo Practice Management - Human Resources Director
• Business Development - Chief Marketing Officer
• Professional Development - Career Development Manager
• Customer Service - Customer Service Manager
• Quality of Life - Chief Wellness Officer Chapter

ABA Books at a Discount - Plus Special Reduction for All Section Members

Members of the State Bar can now recieve a 15% discount on any ABA book (or books) and all Section members receive a 35% discount on any ABA book (or books). This is a great benefit for all Section members as the savings on even a single purchase could be equal to or even exceed the cost of an annual Section membership. For instance, the savings on a purchase of $200 would be equivalent to $70. Here’s how the ABA discount program works:

• All Section members are eligible for a 35% discount. The Section Member Discount Code can be found on a special "member-only" page accessible to all Section members. Once you have the discount code simply visit the ABA web bookstore at www.abanet.org/ababookstore, select any book (or books) for purchase and during checkout, enter the special 35% discount code. To access the 35% discount code, click HERE. You will need to log into your State Bar Profile to access the link.
  
  
• Non-Section members can obtain a 15% discount. Visit the ABA web bookstore at www.abanet.org/ababookstore, and select any book (or books) for purchase. During checkout, enter the special 15% discount code PAB6ECABPW1 at checkout.

There is a wide range of books available at the ABA web bookstore including practice related books and law practice management books focusing on finance, technology, management and marketing. Note: Discount does not apply to ABA-CLE iPod products.)

Upcoming Programs

For a full list of upcoming CLE programs, see the CLE Calendar.

Online CLE & Self-Study

The Sections offer ongoing opportuntities for continuing legal education credit:

State Bar Online CLE for Participatory Credit: It ’s fast, it’s easy, it’s relevant, and it’s time! View Section programs over the internet for participatory MCLE credit. Our catalog contains over 550 individual seminars totaling more than 650 hours of online CLE with 125 individual seminars in the areas of Ethics, Elimination of Bias and Detection / Prevention of Substance Abuse. Includes 450 seminars done by California attorneys for California attorneys. Programs are offered at both modem and broadband connection speeds, and provide participatory CLE credit. For a complete catalog of courses, click HERE.

Self-Study CLE

Versa-Tape Company has a large library of audio cassettes and CDs of educational programs sponsored by the State Bar of California and all of the State Bar Sections. Search for key words or see all the programs sponsored by each section at Versa-Tape's State Bar page. For information, call 626-791-8907, 800-727-8883 or visit www.versatape.com.

For participants with special needs, please contact the State Bar of California Office of Meeting Services at 415-538-2210 or TDD 415-538-2231 for hearing impaired.

Sections Bookstore

In addition to our regular publications such as journals and other member benefits, the Sections also publish materials available for sale to all lawyers and the general public.

• Antitrust and Unfair Competition
• Business Law
• Intellectual Property Law
• Labor and Employment Law Section
• Litigation Section
• Real Property Law
• Trusts and Estates

For more information, see Sections Bookstore.

Important Information About Your Member Profile

Section Members… Have you set up your My State Bar Profile password yet? If not , make it a priority. Here are the important things things you will be able to do when your profile is in place:

• Enter the Members-Only Area of any Section of which you’re a member, and have immediate access to key publications, past newsletters, updates, and special offers available only to members Important note: After June 1, 2004, your only access to the Sections' members-only areas will be via the My State Bar Profile password..
• Participate in Section discussion boards and share ideas, tips and information with your fellow Bar members
• Update your own State Bar membership record quickly and easily without having to go through State Bar offices
• Designate a public email address for your public address of record, and a private email address for your State Bar correspondence
• Pay your State Bar dues online via credit card or electronic debit
• Submit MCLE compliance online

Expanding Benefits - The opportunities afforded by the Sections’ Members Only Areas will be growing steadily, as more Sections add discussion boards and content to their sites. In the future, you will be able to sign up for distribution lists from specific Sections so you can receive important legislative alerts, practice tips, updates and notices in the form of e-communication.

Create your Member Profile NOW! Start by going to www.calbar.ca.gov/members. Then, just enter your State Bar
access code and follow the instructions provided. (Note: Your access code appeared on your 2003 State Bar dues statement. Since we know that you may not have retained that number, we also mailed letters with your access code to all Section members . Letter to attorney members were mailed in mid-May, and to associate (non-attorney) members in June.

For more detailed information, see the pages about the Members Only Area on the sites of the individual Sections.

Join us as we continue to build our community of professionals online, and provide you with the ever-expanding resources for your practice.

Other News

To see the agendas of recent and upcoming Section Executive Committee Meetings, see Sections Agendas.

The State Bar of California and the State Bar Sections are State Bar of California-approved MCLE providers.