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LOCATION: Capital Club
Three James Center, Fourth Floor
1051 East Cary Street
COST: $15.00 for members
$18.00 for non-members
RSVP:
marhsmit@aol.com
voice mail: 213-9295
Please respond by 10:00 a.m.,
Monday, April 30
PAYMENT: Mail in advance to:
MRWBA
P.O. Box 538
Richmond, Virginia 23218-0538
PARKING: Use James Center parking deck
Validated parking up to $5.00
NOTICE:
All
luncheon reservations must be made by the deadline specified
above. Reservations may be cancelled prior to this deadline.
You must make a reservation even if you mail your check. No
reservations made after the deadline are guaranteed. Limited
walk-in spaces are available for each luncheon on a
first-come-first-served basis.
If you do not attend the luncheon
after making a reservation and do not cancel prior to the deadline, you
will be charged for the cost of the luncheon. If you have made a
reservation and cannot attend the luncheon, you may substitute someone
in your place. However, you (or your substitute) must advise ,
Margaret H. Smither, President (213-9295) or
marhsmit@aol.com) of such substitution prior to or at the luncheon.
If you have any questions about the billing process, please contact Susan Atkinson, Treasurer (935-7762 or
swa89jmu@aol.com).
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MRWBA Newsletter May 2001
Page 1
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COMMITTEE REPORTS
Vice President's Report
The
Vice President this year served as the Chair of the Ad-Hoc Committee
for the development and implementation of the MRWBA's web site,
www.mrwba.org. After an intensive search, the MRWBA contracted with the
Internet Tutor, run by Jennifer Palazzolo, to implement and manage our
web site. Even though the initial time line did not call for judicial
candidate endorsements to take place via the web site until the
2001-2002 bar year, Bev Powell was able to successfully implement an
endorsement round via the web site in March of this year. Thanks to the
web site, the MRWBA drastically reduced its spending on postage and
printing and received state-wide recognition during both sessions of the
BLI conference.
Carolyn A. White
Treasurer's Report
The MRWBA began the year with a budget, exclusive of grant money, that
predicted $22,325.01 in income and $23,804.00 in expenses. The majority
of the difference between income and expenses was due to two new
items. The first new budget item was the new administrative
assistant. The second new item was the web site design and
maintenance. Both budget items have been enormously beneficial to
the organization and the Board, next year, plans to improve the
utilization of both resources.
With the fiscal year ending May
30, 2001, I am projecting total actual receipts of $21,636.10, which is
$688.91 less than expected. I am also estimating expenses of $14,457.26,
which is $9,346.74 less than expected. The savings on the
expenses came from a variety of categories. First, the
administrative assistant did not bill for as much time as
anticipated. Second, the use of electronic mail to forward notices
and the posting of the newsletter on the Internet saved a great deal in
printing costs. In addition, the legislative reception was held
in conjunction with a luncheon, which covered most costs that would have
been incurred if a separate function was held. In net terms,
therefore, the MRWBA is currently predicted to end the budget year
having no budgeted deficit. The MRWBA should end the year holding
reserves of approximately $21,700.00, which represents approximately
nine months' worth of our annual expenses. The Board is examining
the feasibility of placing a portion of the reserve in a certificate of
deposit, which will earn interest at a higher rate than is currently
accrued in the checking account.
Susan W. Atkinson
Awards Committee
The
MRWBA hosted its Seventh Annual Women of Achievement Awards Ceremony at
the Capital Club on December 6, 2000. The award recipient was
Mary R. Spain, Senior Attorney, Commonwealth of Virginia, Division of
Legislative Services. The December lunch ceremony was not as well
attended as in past years. For this reason, I would suggest a more
formal mailing, in addition to the e-mail reminders, announcing the
Awards luncheon and inviting our members to attend. The deadline
for the award nominations was November 1, 2000, and the Committee,
consisting of Stephanie E.
Grana, Nancy Cook, Teri C. Miles, Clair A. Harrington and Karen S.
Elliott, met on November 10, 2000, at the offices of
Shuford, Rubin & Gibney, P.C. to consider the nominations. The
Committee received applications from many, well-qualified nominees and
had a difficult decision. Input has been received from committee
members concerning potential changes to the nomination and award process
for the 2001-2002 bar year.
The Awards Committee also advised MRWBA members through newsletter
announcements and submitted nominations for awards sponsored by other
bars and organizations in the Richmond Metropolitan area.
Stephanie E. Grana, Chair
CLE Committee
The CLE Committee organized two luncheon CLE presentations this
year. The MRWBA's November luncheon featured a program entitled
"2000 Update: Avoiding Malpractice Claims and Ethical Complaints." Wendy
Inge, Esq., Assistant Vice President of American National Lawyers
Insurance Reciprocal (Risk Retention Group), presented six video
vignettes based on actual claims, ethics complaints and malpractice
insurance problems. Attendees were eligible for one hour of CLE
credit (ethics). At the April luncheon, James B.
Comey, Jr., Assistant Managing United States Attorney for the Richmond
area, entertained members with stories of his successful prosecution of
Mafia cases in a presentation entitled "Investigating and Prosecuting
Organized Crime." The Committee has applied for one hour of CLE
credit for the April luncheon. Mr. Comey's presentation was a
result of joint efforts between the CLE Committee and the Programs
Committee.
Kimberly M. Magee, Chair
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MRWBA Newsletter May 2001
Page 3
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Legislative Committee
Although
the Fall Legislative Reception had to be canceled due to legislators'
calendar conflicts, the MRWBA Legislative Committee had a successful
schedule of other activities during the year. The annual Legislative
Issues Survey revealed the subjects of legislation that members were
interested in having the Committee monitor during the 2001 Session of
the Virginia General Assembly. During the Session, the Committee
identified and tracked more than 60 bills and resolutions and
disseminated six Legislative Updates Reports, informing members of the
progress of these measures. At the March 2001 membership luncheon,
we were joined by four Richmond area legislators: Senators Walter
Stosch and John Watkins and Delegates Viola Baskerville and Sam
Nixon. Each shared a personal and candid reaction to the
just-completed Session.
The Chair wishes to thank the Committee for their diligent work: Nancy Cook; Clair Guthrie Gastañaga, Katja Hamel; Deanna Hathaway; and
Christina Kearney.
Gail D. Jaspen, Chair
Membership Committee
This
year our organization received a boost of recognition when two of our
members were appointed to the bench. Barbara J. Gaden was
appointed to the Richmond General District Court and Garland Bigley was
appointed to the Petersburg General District Court.
Congratulations to them. Our membership numbers remain strong at
approximately 280, but we encourage you to solicit new members whenever
the opportunity arises.
Jennifer A. Crossland, Chair
Programs Committee
The
Programs Committee wishes to thank the Capital Club for continuing to
provide a wonderful location for our luncheons and delicious food!
We tried to present an interesting variety of programs this past year
and believe we were successful in this regard. We offered
presentations on such topics as alcoholism, financial planning, computer
crimes,
state legislators and the mafia. Our final program of the year,
featuring James Comey from the Richmond Office of the United States
Attorney, was particularly well-received. Thanks to everyone for
making this a terrific year!
A. Ann Berkebile and Amy Hay Schwab, Programs Committee Co-Chairs.
Public Service Committee
This
year the Public Service Committee secured a grant from the Virginia Law
Foundation of $20,000.00 to publish and distribute 50,000 domestic
relations pamphlets. Advance order forms have been sent to more
than 300 non-profit organizations around the Commonwealth to solicit
orders for the pamphlets, which will be distributed in early June
2001. In April, Susan North and Lori Lord coordinated revisions to
the pamphlet to reflect changes to the law enacted during the 2001
General Assembly Session. Susan and Lori are also negotiating with
printers for a flat fee for the cost of printing and mailing the
pamphlets.
In January, the Committee submitted a letter of intent to the Virginia
Law Foundation for its 2001 - 2002 funding cycle. We were invited
to submit a full grant application without making a presentation to the
VLF Grant Committee. It is our understanding that this signals the
Committee is likely to grant our funding request. Lori Lord and
Kristi Wright prepared the letter of intent, which requested $24,490.00
for the printing of 60,000 pamphlets next year.
The
Public Service Committee continued serving the Flagler Home through St.
Joseph's Villa. In 2000-2001, the Committee helped Flagler by 1)
conducting a professional-clothing drive, 2) collecting holiday
decorations for and decorating the large "cottages" that house homeless
mothers and their children, and 3) performing a Spring Cleaning of the
three cottages. Future Flagler projects will include
re-implementing the legal education programs, painting the common areas
of each cottages, and updating the decor in the common areas.
Finally,
the Committee decided to help St. Andrew's School, a private
tuition-free school for grades K-5 for children from families of very
limited resources. The school, located in Oregon Hill, provides a
number of volunteer opportunities that we encourage next year's
Committee to pursue.
K. Loraine Lord, Chair
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MRWBA Newsletter May 2001
Page 4
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FLAGLER HOUSE SPRING PROJECT - June 9, 2001
The
three Flagler cottages are in need of some major spring cleaning. While
it may not be the most "appealing" project, it will be a
great benefit to Flagler House. This will also be a
learning exercise for many of the Flagler women who participate in the
Spring Cleaning Project. MRWBA members will meet at Flagler Cottage No. 8
at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 9. Non-members are welcome to
participate! This is a great opportunity to include potential members,
staff, family or friends who want to volunteer for a one-day public
service project. With enough volunteers and a plan of action, we should
be done by noon - just in time to enjoy lunch together!
Project Captains and Volunteers are needed for the following projects:
- Carpet Shampooing
- The carpet cleaning crew will shampoo the carpets throughout each
cottage. Hopefully a merchant will donate the use of three steam
cleaners for the day.
- Window Cleaning
- The window cleaning crew will clean each cottage's windows inside
and out. A garden hose hooked up to a "Windex Outdoor Window Cleaner"
will make cleaning the outside windows simple while the inside windows
are simultaneously cleaned!
- Wood Polishing
- This crew will wipe down the stairwell railing, various wood
furniture and doors in each cottage with Old English and/or polish so
they look brand new!
- Miscellaneous Cleaning
- This crew will tackle a few well-needed cleaning projects specific to
each cottage (such as the tile grout on the kitchen floor).
- Donations and Incentive Packages
- This team will coordinate donations made by MRWBA members and by
various merchants in the community. Donations will be used for:
1. Cleaning supplies specifically needed for the Spring Cleaning Project.
2.
Incentive Packages - Each Flagler woman has her own efficiency
apartment, per se, which consists of a living/sleeping area with an
adjacent bathroom. Each Flagler woman is responsible for cleaning her
room each week with cleaning supplies that she is required to purchase
herself. MRWBA members are encouraged to bring donations, such as
buckets and various cleaning supplies, to the May 2001 luncheon. A
"Bucket Package" containing various cleaning supplies will be given to
each Flagler woman who participates in the Spring Cleaning Project. Any
leftover "Bucket Packages" will be used by the Flagler administration
for an incentive program. Flagler is in the process of coordinating an
incentive program recognizing a Flagler woman each month who has
fulfilled the expectations of the Flagler program for the past 30 days
and has done additional good deeds.
- Food Team - A
lunch will be coordinated by this team to be enjoyed by the
MRWBA members and the participating Flagler women after finishing the
Spring Cleaning Project. We will eat on the patio furniture that was
donated during last year's MRWBA Spring Project!
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MRWBA Newsletter May 2001
Page 5
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DONATIONS ACCEPTED AT THE MAY 2nd LUNCHEON!
This is a great way to participate if you are unable to come June 9th. Take it one step further and coordinate a donations drive within your office! Here is the Wish List:
Supplies for the Spring Cleaning Project (Large quantities of each are needed)
Window Cleaner (non-streak type preferred)
Old English (dark)
Furniture Polish (the kind with wax)
Tile Grout Cleaner (often found at a hardware store)
Lysol/Pine-Sol All Purpose Cleaner
Paper Towels
Polishing Cloths
Sponges (probably large size needed most)
Garden Hoses (6 hoses needed - 2 for each cottage)
Windex Outdoor Window Cleaner
(3-6
needed. It is a jug full of window cleaner that is hooked up to a
garden hose. Often found at Costco, Sam's Club or Wal-Mart, etc.)
Supplies for the Incentive Packages (Goal is to make
15 "bucket packages")
Feel free to make one up yourself or bring items and we'll make it up for you!
Buckets
Toilet Bowl Brushes
Toilet Bowl Cleaner
Shower & Curtain Mildew Cleaner
Sponges (all sizes)
Comet/Soft Scrub/Scrubbing Bubbles/Lysol Bathroom Cleaner
Lysol/Pine-Sol/Fantastik or other All Purpose Cleaner
Carpet Freshener
Furniture Polish
Windex
Cleaning Towels/Polishing Cloth
Money - $$$$ - To Purchase:
Cottage No. 7's guest bathroom has 2 windows that need mini blinds and/or curtains
Carpet Shampoo
Other cleaning supplies needed that are not donated
Summer Time Fun for the Flagler Children!
Each cottage would
appreciate a sprinkler that the children can play in. The
administration discourages kiddie pools because they are a safety danger
when water is left in an unattended pool.
As you can see, this Spring Project can be divided up into manageable tasks that combined will create a
huge success! Please contact Lori Rinaldi if you are interested in being a Project Captain, a Volunteer or making a Donation. Lori can be reached at
344-6336 (work), 355-2392 (home) or lrinaldi@morrismorris.com.
Can't make it to the May 2nd Luncheon? Drop off your donations before June1!
Lori
Rinaldi
Karen
French
Morris and Morris
LeClair
Ryan, P.C.
801 East Main Street
4201
Dominion Blvd, Ste 200
Wytestone Plaza, 12th Floor
Glen Allen, Virginia
344-6336
783-7537
lrinaldi@morrismorris.com
KFrench@leclairryan.com
Directions to Flagler House - Cottage No. 8
I- 95 North to Parham Road West (Exit 83B)
Proceed to Brook Road - Turn LEFT onto Brook Road
Stay in the outside lane (the Lowe's/Wal-Mart entrance will be on your left)
At the very next light, - Turn RIGHT which leads you directly into the St. Joseph's Villa
Circle half way around and past the church
Follow the signs
"MRWBA Spring Project" which will lead you to Cottage No. 8
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MRWBA Newsletter May 2001
Page 6
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NEWS
RELEASE The law book,
Virginia Landlord-Tenant Law, 2nd edition, written by
Jerome ("Jerry") P.
Friedlander, II of McLean, Virginia, is being discontinued as a result
of the corporate reorganization of the Lexis Law Publishing company
(formerly The Michie Co) and its subsidiary companies (Shepard's,
McGraw-Hill, etc). The 2000 Virginia General assembly made a number of
changes to the Virginia Residential Landlord-Tenant Act which
supplemental material has not yet been sent to its readers. The
supplement for the year 2000 will be issued by its author directly.
Because Lexis Law company has not given Jerry a copy of its customers,
Jerry needs to identify the book's subscribers to determine whether they
want to receive the 2000 supplement and to reach those who simply want
more information or want the book.
For those who do wish to receive the 2000 supplement mailing, please
contact Jerry Friedlander via phone at 703-893-9600; fax at
703-893-9650; via e-mail at
friedlander@friedlander.com or by regular mail at 1364 Beverly Road, Suite 201, McLean, Virginia 22101-3627. Jerry plans to follow the Lexis Law Publishing's return and payment policies. Jerry has established his own Virginia
LLC, Lexstone Publishing LC, to handle the administration of this venture, with its own phone, fax and e-mail, all located at Jerry's law office in McLean.
The toll free number is 1-800-299-9658 to fax or phone. Lexstone e-mail is
jpfriedlander@lexstone.com. The address is the same as above. Prices: The 2000 supplement is $35.00 and the
book+supp+forms-diskette is $85.00 (including tax and handling)
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Every attorney wants to
make a difference.
Sometimes it just takes the right organization to
LINC-up with. LINC,
the Legal Information Network for Cancer, is seeking attorneys to help
cancer patients deal with the business side of cancer by providing pro
bono services in the following areas: insurance appeals, social
security disability appeals, drafting of wills, advance medical
directives and powers of attorney, employment, bankruptcy and child
custody.
Attorneys
in all areas of practice are welcome; attorneys with expertise in
insurance and estate planning are particularly needed.
For more information contact:
Tamar Schwartz Eisen, Executive Director
P.O. Box 0156
Richmond, VA 23173
phone: (804) 287-6609 fax: (804) 287-6558
e-mail: LINC@uofrlaw.richmond.edu
Webpage: http://law.richmond.edu/linc/linc.htm
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MRWBA Newsletter May 2001
Page 7
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Click here to visit our
sponsor Virginia Lawyer's Weekly
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Law Suits Day
The Virginia Association of Black Women Attorneys is sponsoring a Law Suits
Day on Wednesday, May 2, 2001 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the entrance to
the John Marshall Courts Building, 400 N. Ninth Street, Richmond, Virginia.
Women are asked to drop off their clean and ready to wear professional
clothing and accessories which in turn will be delivered to the Greater
Richmond Employment Assistance Team (GREAT).
GREAT is a welfare-to-work initiative that assists women who are
re-entering the workforce. GREAT’s
mission is to provide welfare recipients and their families the opportunity to
begin their journey to self-sufficiency through skills assessment, job
readiness, training and employment.
Please note the date of this worthwhile event on your calendar.
Also, please forward this e-mail to anyone who may have professional
clothing and accessories to donate. Your
contribution is tax deductible for income tax purposes to the extent allowed
by law and you will receive a receipt for donated items.
For more information, or if you are interested in serving as a
volunteer for the event, please contact Kimberly Smith at 643-8401.
For more information about GREAT, please contact Sandee Smith at
222-0400. |
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P.O. Box 538
Richmond, VA 23218-0538
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MRWBA Newsletter May 2001
Page 8
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