GP|Solo Committee Appointments

"Do Something" is the theme for Chair-Elect John P. Macy's upcoming bar year. What better way to get started than volunteering to serve in GP|Solo's committees?

Apply now, the deadline is March 1, 2006.

ABA Presidential Appointments

ABA President-Elect Karen J. Mathis is seeking applications or nominations for appointed positions throughout the ABA. President-Elect Mathis, a past Chair our of Division, will be filling vacancies on the ABA Standing and Special Committees, Commissions, Working Groups, Task Forces, and other ABA entities for the 2006-2007 Association year. Please note that all recommendations must be made using the online nomination form. The deadline for submitting recommendations is March 1, 2006.

The GP|Solo Division was the primary sponsor of Resolution #103, a proposed bankruptcy rule to the House of Delegates that would put solo and small firm practitioners on equal footing with attorneys in large multi-state firms in obtaining access to the bankruptcy courts to file papers electronically on behalf of clients.

The Recommendation and Report were written by GP|Solo leaders Larry Feinstien and Chris Kaup, several members of the Business Law Section, a law professor and a bankruptcy judge - all members of the ABA Working Group on Local Rules for Electronic Case Filing in the Bankruptcy Courts.

We are pleased to report that the ABA House of Delegates passed Recommendation #103 at the Midyear Meeting in Chicago on February 13, 2006. The Recommendation will now be forwarded to the Advisory Committee on Bankruptcy Rules of the Judicial Conference of the United States.

Download the approved rule.

More on Bankruptcy Law

GP|Solo has much to offer lawyers who practice in the area of bankruptcy law.

Our Bankruptcy Committee is very active and GP|Solo offers several books on the subject.

Attorney Liability In Bankruptcy (coming in early March)
$79.95 GP|Solo members; $94.95 regular price
If you value your professional reputation
If you want to keep your malpractice insurance
If you don't want to turn your fee over to the trustee

It's time you learned how to comply with the requirements of the new Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act.

Letters for Bankruptcy Lawyers: Essential Communication for Clients, Creditors, Opposing Counsel and Others
$40.00 GP|Solo members; $55.00 regular price

Nine Traps and One Slap (Downloadable PDF)
$9.99 GP|Solo members; $12.99 regular price

Goal IX Honor Rolls

GP|Solo has just received Honor Roll recognition in for its efforts towards diversity in both the Commission on Racial and Ethnic Diversity and the Commission on Mental and Physical Disability Law Goal IX publications. We are proud of these honors and hope to build on them in the coming year.

Diversity Fellowship

The Division's Diversity Committee and Membership Board identifies and nominates four lawyers of color who will be appointed by the Chair-Elect to funded fellowship positions within the Division, effective during the following bar year.
Deadline April 28, 2006.
Find out more and apply to the Diversity Fellows program

Upcoming Diversity Conferences

GP|Solo is also co-sponsoring programs with the following three diversity-related commissions:

The Commission on Women in the Profession
Women in Law Leadership (WILL) Academy.
March 30-31, 2006
Hyatt Regency McCormick Place Hotel
Chicago, IL
This WILL Academy is intended for young women lawyers, specifically those three to ten years out of law school. Its primary focus is career and legal skills development with an eye toward leadership.

ABA Commission on Mental and Physical Disability Law
National Conference on the Employment of Lawyers with Disabilities
May 22-23, 2006
Renaissance Washington Hotel
Washington, D.C.
Conference Topics Include:

• Is Disability Diverse or Just Different?
• Does It Pay to Hire Lawyers with Disabilities?
• Best Practices in Law Firms

National Conference for the Minority Lawyer
June 22-23, 2006
Philadelphia, PA
This unique two day program for litigators, business lawyers, in-house counsel, solo practitioners, and government lawyers will include practical training to help you:

• Improve your presentation techniques to promote success
• Facilitate a better understanding of diversity
• Market yourself by building your credentials
• Learn how to successfully transition your career

May 4-7, 2006
Kansas City, Missouri
The InterContinental Kansas City at the Plaza

Some highlights of this meeting include:

Thursday: The Opening Reception will include a private tour of the Negro League Baseball Museum with the legendary Buck O’Neil, and the best of KC style BBQ and live jazz at the American Jazz Museum.

Friday: ABA President-Elect Karen Mathis will lead a plenary session in the morning on her initiative for the 2006-07 bar year. The topic will be, "Mainstreet Lawyers — The Glue that Holds Society Together." The evening will feature a dinner at the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art honoring military lawyers and a Swearing-In ceremony to the Bar of the U.S. Supreme Court.

The negotiated room rate is $159 per night for a single or double. Please call 1-888-424-6835 to reserve your room and don't forget to mention that this is for ABA GP|Solo Spring Meeting.

Find out more about the Spring Meeting

Each October, Solosezzers from around the country and around the world get together in Washington with friends and family for a group admission to the Bar of the United States Supreme Court. This event is a highlight of the legal career for many. It is truly awe-inspiring to be admitted in person in front of all nine Justices.

This event is very popular and there are only about 15 spots still available for the October 2006 Swearing-In, so don't delay.

Find out more about the Solosez U.S. Supreme Court Swearing-In.

Read a description about the Swearing-In experience from three of the participants of last January's visit.

Solosez is an electronic mail discussion list that has matured into a worldwide community of more than 2,000 solo and small firm practitioners.

Because GP|Solo's theme this year is "Celebrating America's Main Street Lawyer," we asked our readers to write a short narrative about what makes them a Main Street Lawyer. Highlighted below is one of the responses we received:

"I first realized I might be a Main Street Lawyer when I was back in the judge's chambers last year for a pretrial conference.  I was sitting there with some of the local lawyers and the out-of-town lawyer opposing me in my case.  My case was going to be first to try that week.  When we were finished with the conference the judge told me and my opposing counsel to stay behind to discuss some issues in our case.  As each local lawyer passed me they shook my hand or patted me on the back and said "Good luck this week," or "Hope things go well."  There was a conspicuous lack of friendly comments to the other attorney.  This was not out of unkindness but they just didn't know him.  I knew him and did not like him, so I enjoyed the moment."

Tell us what makes you a Main Street lawyer!

Congratulations to Olu A. Stevens (former GP|Solo Diversity Fellow) who was sworn in as President of the Louisville Bar Association.

Congratulations to Jeffrey Allen who recently passed the QLTT examination for admission to the British Bar and will be enrolled by the Law Society as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of England and Wales.

Congratulations to Henry DeWoskin who was recently promoted to Major, Judge Advocate General's Corps, United States Army, in his reserve capacity.

Congratulations to Yvonne Cryns who won an iPod by entering a contest for our law students sponsored by the National Arbitration Forum. Students another opportunity is coming your way really soon!

GP|Solo held several military law-related events at the Midyear Meeting including the Keithe E. Nelson Memorial Military Law Luncheon. The Keynote speaker was H. F. “Sparky” Gierke, Chief Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces. His speech is available on our Military homepage.

Please note - our military links section has also been expanded.

ABA Dispute Resolution
Eighth Annual Spring Conference
April 5-8, 2006
Hyatt Regency Atlanta
Atlanta, GA
Download brochure(PDF)

ABA TECHSHOW
April 20-22, 2006
Sheraton Chicago Hotel and Towers
Chicago, IL
GP|Solo members save $100!
Choose "Program Promoter" registration and specify code PP127.
Register by March 18, and save another $200!

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