The CLE and New Projects Committee is hard at work to bring about a new CLE in July 2008.  Working hand in hand with the Solo and Small Firm Committee of the regular NC Bar Association, the CLE committee is putting together a timely and important CLE about law firm management.  The CLE will be held in Wilmington, NC in late July 2008 and is designed to be fun and family friendly.

 

The topics of the CLE include: Human Resource Issues for Law Firms, how to set up and start your own firm, Choice of Business Entity, Law firm Technology, Business Plans, File Storage Issues, Client Development and Marketing, Ethics, Law Firm Accounting, Substance Abuse/Mental Health issues, and Small Firm Support/Outsourcing.  The CLE is designed to help interested lawyers to open a new practice and show those attorneys working in large law firms the dynamics of the law practice.  Speakers should range from solo practitioners to managing members of large NC law firms.

 

The CLE and New Projects Committee is also working to perform similar mini-classes at each of NC's law schools in the first six months of 2008.
 
The Law Week/Liberty Bell Committee has several upcoming deadlines for school competitions.  We would appreciate your assistance in encouraging schools and students to participate in these competitions. A brief description of each competition is listed below:
 
Essay Contest for 6th-8th Graders and 9th-12th Graders: 

The theme of Law Day 2008 is "THE RULE OF LAW: Foundation for Communities of Opportunity and Equity."  Students must write a 750-1000 words essay to express what this means to them. Submissions must be postmarked no later than March 3, 2008. 
 
High School Moot Court Competition for 9th-12th Graders:  This year's moot court problem, Montez v. Citizenship Club Mini-Team Basketball, is rooted in the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). It is focused on the topic of whether a child with learning disabilities should be allowed to play basketball on a team, that is organized by a civic group and that plays on a privately owned basketball court, when the child is older than team rules allow.  This competition will allow students the opportunity to gain first hand experience on how the legal systems works. 

 

Students will also have to opportunity to appear in front of attorneys, and potentially North Carolina Supreme Justices and Court of Appeal Judges if they advance to the State Finals.  The deadline for schools to submit a registration form is February 6, 2008.
 
Poster Art Contest for 4th and 6th Graders: 

The contest is intended to be both a fun experience and a challenge for students. The theme for Law Day 2008 is "THE RULE OF LAW: Foundation for Communities of Opportunity and Equity." Students may interpret this theme as they see fit in creating their posters.  Submissions must be postmarked no later than March 7, 2008.
 
Photo Essay for 8th Graders: