The web site of the D.C. Bar http://www.dcbar.org The November issue of "Washington Lawyer" is online, taking a look at the government's use--or abuse--of the states secrets privilege, a thorn in the side of the White House since the Bush years. http://www.dcbar.org/inside_the_bar/bar_news/wl_november09.cfm http://www.dcbar.org/inside_the_bar/bar_news/wl_november09.cfm The Board of Judges of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia has approved amendments to Superior Court Rules of the Probate Division 311, 321, 322, 324, 325, and 350, regarding aspects of guardianship, conservatorship, and protective proceedings. http://www.dcbar.org/inside_the_bar/bar_news/sc_probate.cfm http://www.dcbar.org/inside_the_bar/bar_news/sc_probate.cfm On November 11 the D.C. Bar International Law Section's International Dispute Resolution Committee will hold a luncheon program featuring Meg Kinnear, secretary general of the International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes. http://www.dcbar.org/inside_the_bar/bar_news/intl_kinnear.cfm http://www.dcbar.org/inside_the_bar/bar_news/intl_kinnear.cfm The Young Lawyers Committee of the Federal Communications Bar Association and the FCBA Foundation will raise money for nonprofit organizations at its 20th Annual Charity Auction on November 12. http://www.dcbar.org/inside_the_bar/bar_news/fcba_auction.cfm http://www.dcbar.org/inside_the_bar/bar_news/fcba_auction.cfm The Office of Bar Counsel has always had the opinion that flat fees are entrusted funds, but among District of Columbia practitioners, the question has always been, "Whose money is it anyway?" http://www.dcbar.org/inside_the_bar/bar_news/barcounsel_flatfees.cfm http://www.dcbar.org/inside_the_bar/bar_news/barcounsel_flatfees.cfm On November 19 the D.C. Bar Continuing Legal Education Program will offer the course "Dealing With the Foreclosure Crisis: What to Do for Your Client," which is designed to guide attorneys on how to assist clients facing the prospect of losing their homes. http://www.dcbar.org/inside_the_bar/bar_news/cle_foreclosure.cfm http://www.dcbar.org/inside_the_bar/bar_news/cle_foreclosure.cfm The D.C. Bar Pro Bono Program will hold the training session "Representing Political Asylum Seekers" on November 20, a course intended to prepare pro bono attorneys to represent indigent clients in asylum cases at the affirmative stage. http://www.dcbar.org/inside_the_bar/bar_news/probono_asylum.cfm http://www.dcbar.org/inside_the_bar/bar_news/probono_asylum.cfm On November 12 the Washington Council of Lawyers will hold its annual Awards Reception honoring individuals and firms for their support of pro bono and public interest law practice. http://www.dcbar.org/inside_the_bar/bar_news/wcl_reception.cfm http://www.dcbar.org/inside_the_bar/bar_news/wcl_reception.cfm On November 5 the D.C. Bar Continuing Legal Education Program will offer the course "Navigating the Road to Naturalization: A Guide for Immigration Lawyers," which will guide attorneys through the complexities of the naturalization process. http://www.dcbar.org/inside_the_bar/bar_news/cle_naturalization.cfm http://www.dcbar.org/inside_the_bar/bar_news/cle_naturalization.cfm The D.C. Bar Continuing Legal Education Program will present an immigration course on November 12 that focuses on teaching attorneys what to expect when they appear before an immigration judge at a master calendar hearing or an individual hearing. http://www.dcbar.org/inside_the_bar/bar_news/cle_immigration.cfm http://www.dcbar.org/inside_the_bar/bar_news/cle_immigration.cfm The District of Columbia Judicial Nomination Commission is calling for candidates to fill a vacancy on the D.C. Superior Court resulting from the retirement of Associate Judge Cheryl M. Long. http://www.dcbar.org/inside_the_bar/bar_news/jnc_scvacancy.cfm http://www.dcbar.org/inside_the_bar/bar_news/jnc_scvacancy.cfm In September the D.C. Bar Board of Governors acted on proposed revisions to the D.C. Rules of Professional Conduct governing Interest on Lawyers' Trust Accounts, approving a new comment to Rule 1.15 and voting to exclude a provision to monitor Bar members' participation in the IOLTA. http://www.dcbar.org/inside_the_bar/bar_news/iolta_revisions.cfm http://www.dcbar.org/inside_the_bar/bar_news/iolta_revisions.cfm The D.C. Bar Pro Bono Program and the D.C. Department of Small and Local Business Development (DSLBD) will hold an eight-part business law training series beginning September 22. http://www.dcbar.org/inside_the_bar/bar_news/probono_businesstraining.cfm http://www.dcbar.org/inside_the_bar/bar_news/probono_businesstraining.cfm Lawyers who want to learn how to run a solo or small firm might want to attend a basic training session being offered November 13 by the D.C. Bar Practice Management Advisory Service. http://www.dcbar.org/inside_the_bar/bar_news/pmas_training.cfm http://www.dcbar.org/inside_the_bar/bar_news/pmas_training.cfm As a convenience to members, the D.C. Bar has begun accepting American Express as a form of payment for dues, section memberships, registrations, and publications. http://www.dcbar.org/inside_the_bar/bar_news/amex.cfm http://www.dcbar.org/inside_the_bar/bar_news/amex.cfm In the midst of challenging economic times, Bar members are encouraged to take advantage of the Bar's many free and low-cost services. http://www.dcbar.org/inside_the_bar/bar_news/lawyer_services.cfm http://www.dcbar.org/inside_the_bar/bar_news/lawyer_services.cfm D.C. Bar members have inquired about the nature of the D.C. Bar's relationship with Seattle-based Avvo, Inc., an Internet-based for-profit attorney marketing service. http://www.dcbar.org/inside_the_bar/bar_news/membership_AVVO.cfm http://www.dcbar.org/inside_the_bar/bar_news/membership_AVVO.cfm Gala http://www.dcbar.org/for_lawyers/events/details.cfm?sessionAltCD=290041&link=RSS http://www.dcbar.org/for_lawyers/events/details.cfm?sessionAltCD=290041&link=RSS Reception http://www.dcbar.org/for_lawyers/events/details.cfm?sessionAltCD=290042&link=RSS http://www.dcbar.org/for_lawyers/events/details.cfm?sessionAltCD=290042&link=RSS The purpose of this course is to assist attorneys that seek to represent nonprofit organizations on a pro bono basis. http://www.dcbar.org/for_lawyers/events/details.cfm?sessionAltCD=752296&link=RSS http://www.dcbar.org/for_lawyers/events/details.cfm?sessionAltCD=752296&link=RSS Session will cover substantive landlord and tenant law. http://www.dcbar.org/for_lawyers/events/details.cfm?sessionAltCD=752295&link=RSS http://www.dcbar.org/for_lawyers/events/details.cfm?sessionAltCD=752295&link=RSS For information and registration call 202-265-8305,ext. 126. http://www.dcbar.org/for_lawyers/events/details.cfm?sessionAltCD=752292&link=RSS http://www.dcbar.org/for_lawyers/events/details.cfm?sessionAltCD=752292&link=RSS This program will train attorneys to represent victims of domestic violence in Civil Protection Order cases and in prosecutions for criminal contempt violations of Civil Protection Orders. http://www.dcbar.org/for_lawyers/events/details.cfm?sessionAltCD=752293&link=RSS http://www.dcbar.org/for_lawyers/events/details.cfm?sessionAltCD=752293&link=RSS This panel presentation will discuss recent decisions, such as Southgate and Castle Harbor, applying the economic substance rule and other judicial doctrines. http://www.dcbar.org/for_lawyers/events/details.cfm?sessionAltCD=316-0910-67TAS-2&link=RSS http://www.dcbar.org/for_lawyers/events/details.cfm?sessionAltCD=316-0910-67TAS-2&link=RSS This brown bag program is the first in a series of informal discussions organized by the Inter-American Legal Affairs Committee, focusing on current issues affecting the Western Hemisphere. http://www.dcbar.org/for_lawyers/events/details.cfm?sessionAltCD=120959&link=RSS http://www.dcbar.org/for_lawyers/events/details.cfm?sessionAltCD=120959&link=RSS Join us to hear Ms. Meg Kinnear, the new Secretary-General, International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), discuss current developments at the preeminent investment treaty arbitral institution and investor-State arbitration genera http://www.dcbar.org/for_lawyers/events/details.cfm?sessionAltCD=120954&link=RSS http://www.dcbar.org/for_lawyers/events/details.cfm?sessionAltCD=120954&link=RSS This seminar will cover the procedures counsel should engage in to obtain relief, how to defend interested parties who have an interest in the property being foreclosed upon, the post-judgment procedures for issuance of a tax deed and commentary from the http://www.dcbar.org/for_lawyers/events/details.cfm?sessionAltCD=150901&link=RSS http://www.dcbar.org/for_lawyers/events/details.cfm?sessionAltCD=150901&link=RSS Our experienced panel will compose and address a medley of irregular probate practice issues, including the treatment of real estate under the pre-1981 probate law, nuances in interested person status, landlord/tenant issues in probate,.... http://www.dcbar.org/for_lawyers/events/details.cfm?sessionAltCD=308-0910-04ETPS&link=RSS http://www.dcbar.org/for_lawyers/events/details.cfm?sessionAltCD=308-0910-04ETPS&link=RSS Come hear officials from the Department of Homeland Security discuss the FAR changes requiring Federal Contractors to use E-Verify. http://www.dcbar.org/for_lawyers/events/details.cfm?sessionAltCD=120961&link=RSS http://www.dcbar.org/for_lawyers/events/details.cfm?sessionAltCD=120961&link=RSS On October 7, 2009, the IRS issued final regulations under Internal Revenue Code (Code) sections 430 and 436. http://www.dcbar.org/for_lawyers/events/details.cfm?sessionAltCD=316-0910-11EBS-3&link=RSS http://www.dcbar.org/for_lawyers/events/details.cfm?sessionAltCD=316-0910-11EBS-3&link=RSS Panelists will briefly describe the need for amending the rules governing juvenile proceedings and the process that took place to draft, vet and promulgate the new rules. http://www.dcbar.org/for_lawyers/events/details.cfm?sessionAltCD=040963&link=RSS http://www.dcbar.org/for_lawyers/events/details.cfm?sessionAltCD=040963&link=RSS The panel will discuss select tax issues surrounding the partnerships created as part of the Treasury's Legacy Loans Program to purchase troubled and illiquid loans and other bank and thrift assets seized by the FDIC. http://www.dcbar.org/for_lawyers/events/details.cfm?sessionAltCD=316-0910-53PTS-2&link=RSS http://www.dcbar.org/for_lawyers/events/details.cfm?sessionAltCD=316-0910-53PTS-2&link=RSS The discussion will include practical advice for advising boards in light of such decisions http://www.dcbar.org/for_lawyers/events/details.cfm?sessionAltCD=030960&link=RSS http://www.dcbar.org/for_lawyers/events/details.cfm?sessionAltCD=030960&link=RSS Join us to hear Prof. Bermann give an account of developments in this important project. http://www.dcbar.org/for_lawyers/events/details.cfm?sessionAltCD=120953&link=RSS http://www.dcbar.org/for_lawyers/events/details.cfm?sessionAltCD=120953&link=RSS This program will focus on the benefits of a Roth IRA. Beginning next year, even your wealthiest clients can exploit these benefits by converting to a Roth IRA http://www.dcbar.org/for_lawyers/events/details.cfm?sessionAltCD=316-0910-20EPS-3&link=RSS http://www.dcbar.org/for_lawyers/events/details.cfm?sessionAltCD=316-0910-20EPS-3&link=RSS Starting with the basics, this program is designed to help you understand residential real estate lending and how you can help your client prevent, defend and survive foreclosure actions and deficiency judgments. http://www.dcbar.org/for_lawyers/events/details.cfm?sessionAltCD=851165&link=RSS http://www.dcbar.org/for_lawyers/events/details.cfm?sessionAltCD=851165&link=RSS This essential course for new or seasoned attorneys teaches participants how to recognize and correct common writing problems. http://www.dcbar.org/for_lawyers/events/details.cfm?sessionAltCD=851161&link=RSS http://www.dcbar.org/for_lawyers/events/details.cfm?sessionAltCD=851161&link=RSS This class will provide lawyers and firm trust account administrators with the practical information they need to comply with the governing rules on trust accounts. http://www.dcbar.org/for_lawyers/events/details.cfm?sessionAltCD=851164&link=RSS http://www.dcbar.org/for_lawyers/events/details.cfm?sessionAltCD=851164&link=RSS This course will focus on current hot topic issues, such as the Entity List and new procedures for removal or modification, revisions of controls on thermal imaging cameras, and the implementation of the Authorization Validated End-User for China and India. http://www.dcbar.org/for_lawyers/events/details.cfm?sessionAltCD=851162&link=RSS http://www.dcbar.org/for_lawyers/events/details.cfm?sessionAltCD=851162&link=RSS In this session, you will learn the minimum legal requirements for different types of tax-qualified retirement plans, such as vesting, service crediting, coverage, nondiscriminatory benefits and distribution options. http://www.dcbar.org/for_lawyers/events/details.cfm?sessionAltCD=851156P2&link=RSS http://www.dcbar.org/for_lawyers/events/details.cfm?sessionAltCD=851156P2&link=RSS This session will focus on the practical questions that arise in operating a retirement plan. http://www.dcbar.org/for_lawyers/events/details.cfm?sessionAltCD=851156P3&link=RSS http://www.dcbar.org/for_lawyers/events/details.cfm?sessionAltCD=851156P3&link=RSS This course is designed to teach you the fundamentals of immigration court practice including what to expect when you appear before an immigration judge at a master calendar or individual hearing. http://www.dcbar.org/for_lawyers/events/details.cfm?sessionAltCD=851159&link=RSS http://www.dcbar.org/for_lawyers/events/details.cfm?sessionAltCD=851159&link=RSS