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635 S.14th Street
P.O. Box 81809
Lincoln, NE 65801

ph. (402) 475-7091
(800) 927-0117
fx. (402) 475-7098


NSBA Web Site

E-Counsel is available to members of the Nebraska State Bar at no additional charge.

E-COUNSEL --Wednesday, August 17, 2005

Articles

PRACTICING YOUR PASSION

About five years ago, I got a call from a lawyer in Seattle who was clearly troubled. Exhausted and demoralized, he admitted that he needed help (not exactly a common thing for a lawyer to do). He called me because someone had told him about a book I’d written on a topic that piqued his interest: finding pleasure and meaning in law practice ......(more)

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SEVEN WAYS LAW FIRMS LOSE MONEY

There are many ways to look at your firm—ways that can not only save you some very significant dollars, but if you take them seriously, can help you make your firm even better at taking care of clients and delivering superb legal services........(more)
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NSBA NEWS

NSBA 9TH ANNUAL CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT

The Nebraska State Bar Association (NSBA) is pleased to host the ninth annual NSBA Golf Scramble benefiting the Volunteer Lawyers Project (VLP). This year's tournament is scheduled for Friday, August 26, 2005 at the Platteview Country Club in Bellevue.

Proceeds from the NSBA Golf Scramble are designated for the Volunteer Lawyers Project, which is NSBA's statewide pro bono legal assistance program helping low income Nebraskans with civil legal problems. The program relies on the volunteer assistance of attorneys from all across Nebraska. Each year volunteers donate thousands of hours of free and reduced-fee legal services to low-income people with problems including divorce and custody matters, simple wills, and housing problems.

Please support VLP by helping sponsor or playing in the NSBA Golf Scramble. Tournament Co-Sponsorships are available for only $500 and hole sponsorships are available for $250. Prizes are also needed for door prizes.

THANK YOU TO THE SPONSORS OF THE NINTH ANNUAL NSBA GOLF TOURNAMENT!!

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RULES OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT ADOPTED BY NEBRASKA SUPREME COURT

The Rules of Professional conduct were adopted on June 8, 2005 and will become effective September 1, 2005.

Court Order
Complete Rules

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ADD NSBA EVENTS DIRECTLY TO YOUR OUTLOOK CALENDAR

Simply click on the meeting you wish to download from the NSBA calendar and when prompted click the "Open" button. An Outlook appointment screen should then appear. Click the "Save & Close" button to save to your calendar.

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AUTO AND HOME INSURANCE PACKAGE NOW AVAILABLE THROUGH THE NSBA

Now available to NSBA Members: Marsh Affinity Group is pleased to introduce an Auto and Home Insurance package through Allied Insurance. This product will allow you access to a full range of personal auto and homeowner's insurance coverage and a dedicated service center for any questions you may have.

For more information, please contact Mary Whisenand at 1-800-435-7904.

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NEW WEB PAGE FOR COURT INTERPRETER INFORMATION

A new page has been added to the Nebraska Judicial Branch’s website for court interpreters. It is designed to encourage individuals who are bilingual with potential interpreting talent to contact the Court Administrator's office for information on the process to begin interpreting within the court system. The information is also aimed at those individuals who are already interpreting for courts, but have not completed the necessary steps for certification.

Check the link, www.nebraskacourt.com/community/interpreters/interpreter_events.htm or go to the home page (www.nebraskacourt.com) under "for the Public" then select "Interpreter Project".
Contact Kenneth A. Wade, Associate Administrator, 402-471-2671 or kwade@nsc.state.ne.us

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BEST PRACTICES SEMINAR FOR THE FALL OF 2005

The Best Pratices Series for the fall of 2005 has been scheduled at the Regency Lodge in Omaha starting September 20th. Click here for additional information and the registration form.

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GREAT PLAINS TAX INSTITUTE

The 2005 Great Plains Federal Tax Institute is meeting in Omaha at the Embassy Suites-Old Market on December 1 and 2, 2005

The program will feature current developments in Income, Estate, and Gift Tax and much more up-to-the-minute tax information of interest to CPAs, Attorneys, Financial Planners, Life Insurance Professionals and other Tax Professionals.

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VACATIONING THIS FALL? TRY GLOBAL HOLIDAYS FOR EXCELLENT TRAVEL PACKAGES

Want to go to Ireland, Switzerland, the Black Forest of Germany, Tuscany, the Italian Riviera or Beijing? Global Holidays is offering fall vacation packages to all of these destinations and more. January Caribbean cruises are also available now.

http://www.globalholidaysinc.com/

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RECEPTION/DINNER & GOLF OUTING HOSTED BY THE LINCOLN COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION

Join the Executive Council and the Lincoln County Bar Association for a reception and golf on September 22nd and 23rd at the North Platte Country Club. Click here for the registration form.

If you need a sleeping room, the NSBA has a block of rooms at the Hampton Inn at 1-308-534-6000 and ask for the NSBA block of rooms.

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CLE UPDATES

NCLE SECTION CALENDAR

Click here for a calendar of 2005 CLE programs to be offered in upcoming months.

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NCLE SEMINARS THROUGH SEPTEMBER

Click here to view upcoming seminars through September.

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2005 REAL ESTATE SEMINAR

Mark your calendars for the 2005 Real Estate seminar on September 8th and 9th in Lincoln. More information to come soon. Click here to view the flyer.

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BANKRUPTCY ACT TELESEMINARS

NCLE is offering a series of 7 teleseminars on bankruptcy topics to be offered between August 24 and November 2. Registrants may sign up for one, several, or all of the programs. Price is only $79 per program or $450 for the entire series (a savings of $103 off the total individual cost). Registrants will receive materials and dial in information. Each live program will air at NOON Central Time and will last for 75 minutes. Here is a way to get valuable information without having to leave your office. Bring your lunch and take the class.

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TRIAL SKILLS/DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ADVOCACY

Save the Date – October 7, 2005 – Trial Skills / Domestic Violence Advocacy. A trial skills seminar featuring Colorado Domestic Violence trial advocacy attorney Julie Fields. Co-Sponsored by NCLE and NDVSAC. One day program in Lincoln, Nebraska – additional details coming soon.

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RESOURCES

PRACTICE MANAGEMENT TIP: GIVE A LITTLE REASSURANCE

Buyer's remorse is not limited to the purchases of consumer electronics and automobiles. Many clients also experience second thoughts about the lawyer they just hired. To reassure your new clients that they have made the right choice, immediately show a little extra client care: Send each new client a brief thank you letter with a "gift." The "gift" could be a recent copy of your firm newsletter, a recent topical article you authored, a business card that lists an unpublished telephone number for the client to reach you in an emergency, or a book related to their legal issues that shows you care about them as a client. (You get the idea.) Then follow-up with a personal telephone call several days later to let your client know you have begun work on the matter; let your client know it is a no-charge call. This immediate special attention helps to retain clients and build positive long-term relationships.

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PRACTICE MANAGEMENT TIP: FEES

Remember that clients are often under considerable stress (from their legal problems) the first time they visit a lawyer. Your explanation of your fees and costs may be a model of clarity, but it may not sink in. Give your explanation in writing as well as verbally. If a lot of money is at stake (in the eyes of the client), allow the client time to think it over before committing to your fees. Clients who "buy in" to a fee agreement are more likely to abide by it. Then take the initiative to periodically discuss the amount of fees throughout your representation. If at any given point the fee does not comport with the client's expectations, resolve the situation as soon as possible--don't let it fester until the attorney/client relationship is irreparably damaged.

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