Ballots will be mailed this month for the election of five new members of the State Bar Board of Governors. The openings are in District 4, Marin and San Francisco counties; District 6, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties; District 7, Los Angeles County (offices 1 and 2); and District 8, Orange County.

The last day to vote is Sept. 3.

Any active bar member who maintains his or her principal office for the practice of law within the district with a vacancy is eligible to run for a seat on the board. Lawyer members are elected for three years and will assume their offices at the conclusion of the 1999 annual meeting in Long Beach.

The California Young Lawyers Association also will elect district representatives. Because the group did not hold an election last year, 10 seats are open in districts 2, 3, 4, 6, 7 and 8. Some have two-year terms, others three years.

For nominating papers or further information about the CYLA, contact Ann Wassam at 415/538-2240.

For nominating petitions or information about the State Bar board of governors, contact Biljanna Sivanov at 415/538-2274.

Counseling program

The Lawyers Personal Assistance Program (LPAP), which provides crisis counseling and treatment referral for attorneys with stress, chemical dependence and related difficulties, has renewed its contracts with The Other Bar and the Center for Human Resources/West.

As a result of funding difficulties during the past year, LPAP was cut by more than 70 percent. However, part of the special assessment ordered by the Supreme Court is being used to reinstate about 65 percent of the program.

The Other Bar, which assists attorneys suffering from alcohol-related problems, can be reached through its president, Richard Ewaniszyk, at 619/245-7332.

The Center for Human Resources/

West assists attorneys and their families with stress, depression, burn-out and chemical dependency issues. The number is 1-800/341-0572.

ADR committee members

The State Bar's Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Committee is seeking applications for appointment to the committee for the 1999-2000 year.

Applicants should contact Ellen Miller at: ADR Committee Inquiries, c/o E. Miller, 2380 Greenbriar Drive, Suite E, San Diego 91915, or by e-mail at emmiller@ix.netcom.com.

Legal specialist exam

The biennial exam for attorneys wishing to become certified legal specialists is scheduled for Aug. 29 in Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Unaffected by the financial problems that have beset the State Bar, the board of legal specialization is forging ahead with the exam as well as plans to add two new legal specialties in real estate and labor law. Exams for those areas are likely in 2001.

The board is self-funded by dues and fees paid by specialists who voluntarily participate in the program.

There are more than 3,300 certified legal specialists practicing in eight areas: family law; appellate law; criminal law; estate planning, trust and probate law; workers' compensation; immigration and nationality law; personal and small business bankruptcy; and taxation law.

The exam will be given at the Westin Hotel at the San Francisco Airport and the Wyndham Hotel at the Los Angeles Airport between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. There is a $200 fee, or $250 for those who wish to type. Registration deadline is July 16.

For further information, visit the web site at www.calbar.org/lgl-spec.htm or call the board of legal specialization at 415/538-2100.

Conference web site

The State Bar's Conference of Delegates, whose members address a wide array of legal issues, has created its own web site: www.ca-cod.com.

In addition to names and addresses of executive committee members, the site lists all resolutions pending before the conference, the State Bar rules relating to its operations, and a meeting schedule.

Domestic violence group

The executive committee of the State Bar Family Law Section is seeking volunteers for a new Standing Committee on Domestic Violence.

Interested individuals may contact John DeRonde Jr. at 707/429-8700 (northern California) or Tracey Jensen at 714/541-1010 (southern California).

New corporate sponsor for bar's foundation

Cable & Wireless, a company specializing in telecommunications solutions for the legal industry, has joined the Foundation of the State Bar of California as an exclusive corporate sponsor. Based in Vienna, Va., the company began in 1975 and in 1998 expanded its internet presence with its $1.75 billion purchase of MCI's internet business.

"Partnering with a legal organization, such as the Foundation of the State Bar, that shares our commitment to the industry, is the perfect way to bring our unique products and services to this marketplace," said Bill Coyne, vice president of large business sales.

The company offers customized calling programs for firms of all sizes. Its suite of service that particularly benefits the legal community includes personalized call accounting to allow for tracking of billable phone time, security codes, toll-free calling, client-ready statements, and a Cable & Wireless personal office phone card which gives attorneys options such as receiving confidential faxes while traveling.

To kick off its participation as a new corporate sponsor, the company made a substantial contribution to support the bar's last election for the board of governors.

Other foundation corporate sponsors include MBNA America (credit cards), United Parcel Service, Chase Mortgage Corp., Acordia of Califor-nia (insurance), Subscription Services (magazines), and Publishing Company of North America, publisher of the Legal Directory.