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E-mail address will be required starting Feb. 1

All California attorneys must provide an e-mail address to the State Bar beginning Feb. 1, 2010, under a new rule of court approved by the Supreme Court. Inactive lawyers over 70 are exempt from the new requirement.

Under Rule 9.7, all members of the State Bar must create an online profile through the bar’s secure membership system. Currently, 150,000 lawyers already have done so and they need do nothing further.

But on Feb. 1, attorneys who move will be able to change their address and phone number only through their profile. Online address change capability has been available for several years and is widely used. In 2008, 58,000 address changes were processed, 40,000 online. The remainder were processed manually.

Lawyers are statutorily required to keep their addresses updated within 30 days of a move.

The private e-mails will be recorded in the bar’s database and will be used only for official communications, such as courtesy reminders related to deadlines and updates of new regulations that affect numbers. Attorneys also will have the option to provide a public e-mail address, which will be available to the public on the bar’s Web site.

Notification of disciplinary or regulatory proceedings that may lead to a loss of license will continue to be sent through regular mail.

In addition to the 150,000 private e-mails the bar now has, another 30,000 lawyers have provided a public address. About 40,000 lawyers have not provided an e-mail address.

Although not required by the rule, the bar’s administrative policy will provide an exemption to inactive lawyers over 70. In addition, lawyers who do not have an e-mail address may apply for an exemption by completing a form provided by the bar.

The member services center will conduct an outreach campaign in the coming months in order to fully apprise the membership of the new requirement.

Hertz signs on as new CalBar Connect partner

CalBar Connect, the State Bar’s affinity program offering special benefits to its members, now partners with Hertz to provide discounted rental car rates to bar members. The program offers a 20 percent discount on Hertz’s Daily Member Benefit rates in the United States, waives the enrollment fee for the #1 Club Gold program, and offers discounts on other domestic and international rental rates.

“Hertz is very pleased to be selected as the exclusive provider of car rental services to the 220,000 State Bar of California members,” said Robert J. Stuart, senior vice president of global sales. “As the exclusive partner of more professional organizations than any other car rental company, Hertz has the global footprint and the quality products and services to ensure California lawyers the best value for their travel dollar, whether they travel for business or pleasure.”

Members can enroll in the program by visiting calbarconnect.com and following the links to the Hertz enrollment page.

CalBar Connect has also added FromYouFlowers.com, which will offer a 20 percent discount on floral and gift items, and H&R Block Tax & Business Services, offering an accounting services package to solo practitioners and small firms.

CalBar Connect, part of the bar’s member services and benefits initiative, provides discounts to all State Bar members.

Other partners include T-mobile Celluar, Lenovo Computers, Corevault, Lettermark; ESQSites123.com; Threads Apparel & Merchandise; MarketYourLaw Practice.com; Bank of America; insurance brokers and companies Marsh Affinity, Liberty Mutual and AI&PS. UPS, Office Max and Brooks Brothers also are bar partners.

Complete details are available at calbarconnect.com.

Hong Kong CLE program set for Nov. 1-6

The Litigation and Real Property Law sections are planning a continuing legal education program in Hong Kong Nov. 1-6.

Participants can earn 21 hours of MCLE credit and will have numerous networking opportunities for forming relationships on the Pacific Rim.

If you are interested in receiving information, please call or e-mail Kristina Robledo at kristina.robledo@calbar.ca.gov or 415-538-2467. Full details can be found at www.aweekinlegalhongkong.com.

Amnesty for some suspended attorneys

Any attorney suspended for non-payment of State Bar membership fees for 2008 and earlier may take advantage of an amnesty program approved by the board of governors last month.

Under a new bar rule, a lawyer may be able to regain his or her license by paying half of the amount owed from 2008 and earlier, plus the full amount of dues owed for 2009. Attorneys suspended for other reasons, such as non-compliance with MCLE requirements or disciplinary actions, must resolve those issues separately.

For further information, call 1-888-800-3400 or e-mail msc@calbar.ca.gov.

Law Suits drive to collect clothing goes national

The “Law Suits” program, originated in Orange County in 1997 by the State Bar’s Litigation Section as a way to help people seeking self-sufficiency get back on their feet, has gone national. Next month, in partnership with Men’s Wearhouse, the project will again collect business attire for men and women in need.

The clothing store giant began its nationwide effort, called the National Suit Drive, last year. Norm Rodich, the Irvine lawyer who started the program, said the Litigation Section’s efforts continue throughout California.

Donations of suits, shirts, ties, belts and shoes, as well as casual wear, can be made at any Men’s Warehouse store during September. The clothing collected through Law Suits is given to nonprofits throughout the state, and in the national program, throughout the country.

Last year, in California alone, Rodich said multiple thousands of suits were donated. He expects this year’s drive to collect “many times that nationally.”

The Litigation Section program also continues its relationship with Working Wardrobes for a New Start, an Orange County nonprofit that helps adults in crisis return to the workforce. Each year, Working Wardrobes sponsors a Day of Self-Esteem, offering job counseling and other services as well as new clothing for people returning to the workforce.

Details can be found at calbar.org/lawsuits.

Bar will offer low cost career change workshops

The State Bar Lawyer Assistance Program will offer a six-week workshop in Los Angeles to help lawyers learn strategies for taking their career to the next level.

The program includes advice on identifying career goals, creating a game plan, developing skills to eliminate barriers to success and connecting with a supportive community of other professionals.

The sessions, from Sept. 16 to Oct. 21, last an hour and a half, once a week. The fee is $75 and the program offers one hour of MCLE credit.

The bar also will offer a one-day program Oct. 1 in San Francisco. The morning session is called "300 Things You Can Do With a Law Degree", and the afternoon session will address the promises and pitfalls of transitioning to a new career. The fee for attending a half day is $15 and the full day fee is $25. Attendance at the afternoon session includes one hour of MCLE credit.

To register or obtain additional information, contact Richard Carlton, 415/538-2355, richard.carlton@calbar.ca.gov or lap@calbar.ca.gov.

Opt out of list sales

Attorneys who wish to remove their names from lists the State Bar provides to qualified outside entities may do so by logging on to Member Login at calbar.ca.gov. After registering with My State Bar Profile, go to “Account Information” and select “Update my mailing preferences (opt out).”

Members also may e-mail their opt out request to memrec@calbar. ca.gov.

Include your bar number.

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