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Warm holiday greetings from the Columbus Bar, and best wishes for happiness in the new year.

In this issue...

1. Enter to Win a Nook Tablet: Drawing on December 21
2. E-Filing Q&A: 3 Free Sessions at the CBA
3. Judicial Elections 2012
4. Columbus Bar inc Announcements
5. News from the Ohio Supreme Court
6. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration to be Held at COSI
7. Nominations Sought for Awards of Excellence
8. What If Anyone Could Give Legal Advice?
9. Columbus Commons Holiday Fair, December 16-18
10. Where's Alex?
11. Et Cetera

Enter to Win a New Nook Tablet
Drawing to be held on December 21

While you're at the Columbus Bar between now and December 21, stop by the CLE registration desk and enter a drawing for a chance to win a new Nook Tablet (or, purchase raffle tickets online)!

Proceeds from the raffle support the Media Center at the Franklin County Juvenile Detention Center (through the Columbus Bar Foundation's Open Books, Open Minds Fund).

Purchase raffle tickets online; more details

E-Filing Q&A: Three Free Sessions at the Columbus Bar

Questions about E-Filing? Stop by one of three informal drop-in sessions and get your questions answered by representatives from the Franklin County Clerk of Courts, Office of Maryellen O'Shaughnessy, and Franklin County Common Pleas Court. Sessions to be held from 12-1pm on December 15, 22, and 29 at the Columbus Bar offices. These events are free and there is no need to RSVP.

Learn more about the Q&A sessions

Judicial Elections 2012

Have you checked out the Columbus Bar's "In Brief" Blawg, lately? CBA President David Bloomfield, Jr. recently wrote two blog posts previewing the 2012 Franklin County judicial elections as well as next year's Ohio Supreme Court races. Click the links below to read each post.

Ohio Supreme Court Races – One Primary for the Democrats; Two Other Contested Races Set

Franklin County Judiciary – Only One Contested County-wide Judicial Race in 2012

Columbus Bar inc Announcements

The Columbus Bar is pleased to announce that two new attorneys will be joining the Columbus Bar inc Professional Development Center in January: Shannon Dawes is a 2010 graduate of Capital University Law School, and Mary Lewis is a 2011 graduate of The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law.

Additionally, attorney Jocelyn Armstrong - a current participant in the Columbus Bar inc program - will take over as Program Administrator for Columbus Bar inc. She will replace Danielle Murphy, who has taken a full-time attorney position at the Ohio Nurses Association.

Columbus Bar inc relies on the generous support of local partners to underwrite this innovative program. We are currently seeking financial contributions, in-kind donations of needed services, educators, and mentors.

Learn more about Columbus Bar inc

Download a sponsorship packet (PDF)

Thomas J. Moyer Ohio Judicial Center Dedication, December 2

Around 400 members of the judiciary and guests honored the late Chief Justice Thomas J. Moyer on December 2 as the Supreme Court of Ohio dedicated the Ohio Judicial Center in his name. The dedication of the Thomas J. Moyer Ohio Judicial Center honors Chief Justice Moyer’s significant contributions to civility, public service, and the rule of law. Continue reading...

View photos of the Dedication Ceremony

Supreme Court of Ohio Expands Mentoring Program

The Supreme Court of Ohio has expanded the pool of lawyers who can participate in its mentoring program. While "pleased with the growth and success" of the Lawyer to Lawyer Mentoring Program, the Commission on Professionalism proposed, and the Supreme Court adopted, a rule change to allow attorneys who are registered for corporate status to participate as mentors for new lawyers. Previously, only attorneys registered for active status were eligible. Continue reading...

Attend the 2012 Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration at COSI

Be one of the first people in Columbus to see the nationally acclaimed exhibit RACE: Are We So Different? at this private event open only to Columbus Bar members and guests, on January 31, 2012.

Your event ticket includes parking, entrance to COSI and a private screening of the RACE exhibit, Hors d’oeuvres, drink tickets, entrance to a "Generational Conversation" panel discussion among attorneys of color about the changing landscape of the legal community, featuring Melinda Molina, Carl Smallwood and Ben Espy, moderated by members of the John Mercer Langston and Asian Pacific American Bar Associations.

Individual tickets are $25 each. Firms may purchase a block of 10 tickets for $200.

Reserve your tickets

Learn more about the RACE Exhibit

Nominations Sought for Annual Community Service Awards

Each year, lawyers and non-lawyers are recognized for community service. The Association Relations Committee, led by Immediate Past President Hon. Stephen McIntosh, reviews nominations and makes recommendations to the Board of Governors.

Name your nominee with proposed award, and email or fax to Donna Sweet (donna@cbalaw.org or 221.4850) a paragraph describing why you believe the individual deserves to be recognized. Include your name and phone number. Deadline for nominations is 5:00pm on Friday, February 3.

Read the award descriptions

What If Anyone Could Give Legal Advice?

Lots of people have advocated for the repeal of lawyer licensing requirements, but what would actually happen if all the unauthorized practice of law statutes disappeared? In 5 posts, Andy Mergendahl of Lawyerist.com explores this issue.

Read all 5 posts at Lawyerist.com

Columbus Commons Holiday Fair: Food Trucks, Santa, Carousel Rides and More

Looking for an event to help you get into the holiday spirit? From Friday, December 16 through Sunday, December 18, Columbus Commons will feature a full slate of activities for the whole family. Grab a meal from one of our local food trucks, see the Columbus Children's Choir, visit with Santa, roast marshmallows, ride the carousel and trackless train, and enjoy the downtown lights display.

Full schedule of events

Where's Alex?

Wondering how Alex Lagusch has been spending his time, since his retirement as Executive Director of the Columbus Bar Association?

Back in the saddle again: it's been decades since 'Alex the Equestrian' was pictured on horseback. Where's Alex now? He recently visited a horse owner friend near Granville, and now he's taking lessons. Yes... he'll be wearing a helmet. If you would like to drop Alex a line, click here to send him an email. But be patient, he does not ride-and-text. Safety first!

Check back next month for another installment of "Where's Alex?"

Et Cetera

ABA Journal's Annual Blawg 100:
Best Law Blogs of 2011
(ABA Journal)

Annual Lawyers Holiday Gift Guide
(Reid My Blog!)

The 25 Greatest Legal TV Shows
(ABA Journal)

What’s Hot and What’s Not in the Legal Profession for 2012
(Martindale.com Blog)

DISCLAIMER: The CBA provides links to various sources of information in Columbus Bar News Bytes eNewsletter purely for the convenience of readers. The opinions expressed by the authors are their own, and the CBA is not responsible for reliance on any such information.

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