Recent News

On January 31, the Columbus Bar held its annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration at COSI giving members and guests the opportunity to enjoy a private showing of the nationally acclaimed exhibit, RACE: Are We So Different?

There is still time to register for the final episode of the Bankruptcy Boot Camp series organized by Judith McInturff. The February 10, 3.0 CLE hour, program will focus on drafting and completing a Chapter 13 case.

The Business Tax Committee’s Taxing Matters Series continues with a February 8 presentation on ”Tax Planning for Exiting Partnerships; Sales of Partnership Interests and Distributions from Partnerships.”

Mentors looking to help new lawyers leave the academic world for the real world are taking advantage of the Lawyer to Lawyer Mentoring Program. Around 20 mentors attended an orientation for the program at the Thomas J. Moyer Ohio Judicial Center.

A short survey (Jan. 12 to Jan 17) was sent to members of the Common Pleas Committee regarding the commercial docket. Fifty-seven people responded.

Within 10 to 14 days, the Franklin County Law Library will move to the 6th floor of 375 S. High St., vacating the 10th floor of 369 S. High St.

The ADR community is familiar with divorce mediation. How many within the community are familiar with collaborative law or collaborative divorce, as some call it?

Whether you are interested in real property, probate or bankruptcy law, there is an upcoming CLE institute for you at the Columbus Bar.

Get agenda and speaker information for Real Property Law Institute 2012, plus registration information.

A special meeting of voting members of the Association (as defined in Article III of the Code) was held on Friday, January 13, 2012 at 11:30am at the Columbus Bar offices to ratify a proposed change to the Code of Regulations.

The Supreme Court of Ohio Office of Attorney Services reminds attorneys with last names beginning with the letters A through L that they must file a report of their compliance with the continuing legal education hour requirement on or before January 31.

January marks year two for the collaboration between the Columbus Bar and New York City’s Practising Law Institute (PLI), a non-profit continuing legal education organization chartered by the Regents of the University of the State of New York.

Want to help law students learn how to be representatives in mediation? Want to enhance your resume? Want to be of service? We need you!

Ohio Notary Association seminars are now available online! If you missed the live presentations last year, you can still benefit from the wealth of information shared at these seminars.

The Columbus Bar Association Alliance works to foster understanding of the legal profession through education and community service, including financial contributions to law-related activities, and to promote social relationships among Alliance members.

CBA@noon is back! Join us as we launch another series of casual, informative CBA@noon sessions. This series is free for Columbus Bar members. Lunches may be reserved for $8 each or feel free to bring a brown bag lunch.

The Columbus Bar Lawyer Referral Service has been helping attorneys build their law practice for over 50 years.

Earlier this week, a field of twenty seven talented, enthusiastic young lawyers meet to begin their eight-month journey as members of the initial Barrister Leadership Program Class of 2012.

The Bankruptcy Boot Camp series organized by Judith McInturff concludes on February 10 at 9:00am with a 3.0 CLE hour seminar focused on drafting and completing a Chapter 13 case.

The Business Tax Committee continues its noon program series, Taxing Matters, the second Wednesday of each month through May with a list of hot topics and a fine roster of presenters.

The Department of the Treasury/Internal Revenue Service recently released additional guidance on reporting health coverage costs on the W-2, as required to comply with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (PPACA).

The Supreme Court of Ohio last week voted to create a new Commission on Dispute Resolution. Two of the programs formerly operated by the disbanded Ohio Commission on Dispute Resolution and Conflict Management will be assumed by the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court has adopted an amendment to the Ohio Traffic Rules, clarifying the authority of traffic violations bureaus.

The Real Property Institute, an annual Columbus Bar event, meets for its 2012 program, February 2-3. The Institute is sponsored by the Real Property Committee, William D. Fergus, Jr., chair.

Recent trends and developments in the world of arbitration are topics of discussion at the next ADR committee meeting, January 13.

Shannon Dawes and Mary Lewis are the two newest resident lawyers to join the Columbus Bar inc Professional Development Center.

Come join us at the Hyatt Regency Hotel on Saturday, March 10 as the Columbus Bar Foundation Gala takes you to Paree. Enjoy Springtime In Paris, an evening filled with top-notch entertainment provided by Chris Bliss.

All proceeds from ticket sales of the champagne raffle as well as the earlier Nook Tablet raffle (won by Matt Zenko) - $2462.20 - go to the Open Minds Open Books Fund in support of the media center in the Franklin County Juvenile Detention Center.

For the fourth consecutive year, Ohio attorneys will be asked to report their pro bono activities to identify gaps in the delivery of free civil legal services in the state.

Willis, the Columbus Bar, and UnitedHealthcare are teaming up to communicate vital information regarding ancillary products your group may want to enroll in this year.

Why do I Need a Will and a Power of Attorney?

The Columbus Bar is pleased to introduce a new discount for members: Save 20% on payroll processing costs through ADP.

As someone who was started a solo business litigation practice, I understand the challenges of fitting in the “business of law” when I would rather be practicing law.

While December certainly is the busy season for CLE, the program offerings continue through the oncoming year with a variety of topics covered in January alone.

We don’t want our judges bowling alone. Join us for Rock ’n Bowl 2012 at the Columbus Square Bowling Palace on February 4, 12:30pm-2:30pm to support the Center for Family Safety and Healing at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.

Volunteers needed for District competition.

Can police question a minor without a parent present? Do I have to consent to a search of my vehicle? If the court has placed a protection order against me, can I communicate with the protected person?

While you’re at the Columbus Bar Association between now and December 29, stop by the CLE registration desk and enter a drawing for a chance to win a bottle of Moet champagne in a gold gift box. Raffle tickets are $1.

There is only one week left to earn CLE credit for attorneys, A through L. The CLE department and bar staff are here all week until the last class on December 30, a video replay that covers the ethics, professionalism and substance abuse requirements.

Stop by the Columbus Bar on December 29, noon until 1:00pm and your questions will be answered by representatives from the Franklin County Clerk of Courts.

The Supreme Court has issued seven new standard probate court forms for representation of insolvency cases filed pursuant to Ohio Revised Code statute 2117.15.

It should come as no surprise that Real Property Law is among the hottest topics in the legal community. So, this is fair warning: Save those days in the first week of February for the popular Real Property Law Institute.

The date was December 24, 1945. The place was a small Japanese town about 100 miles northwest of Tokyo. That’s where we, the men of the 303rd Field Artillery Battalion of the 97th Infantry Division, U.S. Army, were stationed on occupation duty.

The John W. McCormac Award was presented this year to Beth A. Smith, Ohio Court of Claims, for her outstanding service to the paralegal profession.

The first two sessions of the 2012 CBA@noon series have been planned for January 24 (Blogging Basics for Attorneys) and February 14 (Living Securely in a Digital World).

Over the calendar year the Columbus Bar offers ethics, professionalism and substance abuse CLE in different flavors. If you missed the live programs, a couple of them were video-taped and will be offered for video replays this month and into the new year.

The CBA and Managing Partners Diversity Initiative are teaming up to offer members a unique opportunity to commemorate the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. and be among the first to tour the nationally acclaimed exhibit, RACE: Are We So Different?

This past summer the state of Ohio invested a great deal of resources in the mitigation of toxic algae blooms in some of its lakes. The implications were far-reaching.

A profile of ColumbusLawyerFinder.com attorney W. Blair Lewis.

Attorneys with last names beginning with the letters A through L need to complete their Continuing Legal Education hours by Dec. 31.

PACO celebrated its holiday social at the Chiller Easton where members and guests were able to ice skate with Santa, decorate ornaments and cookies, play broomball games, and win gifts during the holiday drawings for adults and children.

Have 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.

On Monday, December 12, beginning at 8:00am, the Franklin County Clerk of Courts will be installing an update to the Case Information Online (CIO) system. This will result in an approximate down time of 30 minutes or less.

Writing well takes time and patience. It is a process.

New Lawyers, wrap up your required hours on Tuesday, December 13 at "New Lawyer Training: Core Requirements."

William D. Fergus Jr. is the organizer of the 3.0 CLE hour "Real Property Update 2012" seminar to be presented on December 15.

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.

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.

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.

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 or new lawyers in the Lawyer to Lawyer Mentoring Program.

Practical tips for handling issues related to child visitation during the holiday season.

Watershed Class Action Lawsuits, a 3.0 CLE hour program organized by Anthony M. Sharett and Drew H. Campbell of Bricker & Eckler covering class action lawsuits is set for Tuesday, December 13.

The Open Books Open Minds fund of the Columbus Bar Foundation was set up initially for the purpose of creating a library and media center in the Franklin County Detention Center for the use of the youths held in detention.

Breathe easy. A 3.0 hour CLE on how to manage stress from three different perspectives is on the slate for December 8, 1:30-4:45pm.

In November, LASC sponsored a CLE to train attorneys and paralegals who volunteer at the Pro Bono Wills Clinics that are held once or twice each month. One hundred fifteen attorneys and paralegals attended the CLE.

Being the 200th member!

The Supreme Court of Ohio has released a new comprehensive guide to writing judicial opinions, which will be applied in the Court’s opinions effective Jan. 1, 2012.

While you’re at the Columbus Bar Association between now and December 21, stop by the CLE registration desk and enter a drawing for a chance to win a new Nook Tablet!

A special meeting of voting members of the Association (as defined in Article III of the Code) will be held on Friday, January 13, 2012 at 11:30am at the CBA offices to ratify the proposed change to the Code of Regulations.

Mark Curriden, bestselling author, senior writer for the ABA Journal, regular contributor to the New York Times DealBook, and Writer in Residence at the SMU Dedman School of Law in Dallas will be offering two CLE programs on Wednesday, December 7.

The jury selection process and courtroom culture have been affected by the digital age in a variety of significant ways. On Tuesday, December 6, 2011 from 9:00am-12:15pm, the CBA presents “Juries in the Digital Age.”

OVI law is always changing and it is unnecessarily technical and complex. The basic OVI statute is longer than the United States Constitution.

The Supreme Court of Ohio was recently awarded a $30,000 grant to support and enhance the judiciary’s response on how it handles domestic violence cases.

Chances are you have already taken some form of training on the new Franklin County e-Filing system. Whether you have or you haven’t, you may have some questions.

Over the past year nationwide headlines on state firearms legislation have made it to several major news outlets. Ohio is no exception.

Several courses for the traditional requirements of ethics, professionalism and substance abuse are being offered this fall.

Columbus Bar inc is an innovative pilot program that was created to assist new lawyers who are finding it difficult to establish their career in this difficult economy.

Over 150 young attorneys and CPAs attended a networking and social event at Nationwide Arena prior to the November 15 Columbus Blue Jacket game.

The Columbus Bar Foundation invites you to join us in support of the 2011 Harmony Project Bike and Toy Drive, which will make the holidays brighter for approximately 5,000 foster children in Central Ohio.

A profile of ColumbusLawyerFinder.com attorney Matthew L. Finnegan

2011 holiday closing information for Municipal Court and Clerk of Courts.

Open enrollment for the Franklin County Municipal Court Appointed Counsel List will occur during the month of December, 2011.

Barnes & Noble and the Columbus Bar Association Alliance will host an online Book Fair to support the Media Center at the Franklin County Juvenile Detention Center from November 26 through December 1.

Don’t be overwhelmed by the new E-Filing requirements: take advantage of training opportunities to help you navigate the new system. Training offered by the Columbus Bar Association and the Franklin County Clerk of Courts.