CONGRATULATIONS! Upon taking the Attorney's Oath, you will become an active member of the State Bar of Nevada. While the privileges of active membership are presently afforded to you, you will not be required to pay membership dues until the 2004 membership year.
MEMBERSHIP IN THE STATE BAR OF NEVADA
The State Bar of Nevada is a public corporation created by statute in 1928. Its responsibility is governing the legal profession in Nevada, subject to the approval of the Supreme Court of Nevada. Among other purposes, the State Bar strives to advance the science of jurisprudence, improve the administration of justice, promote reform in the law and in judicial procedure, and uphold the honor, integrity, professionalism and dignity of the profession of law. The following general information about the Bar is offered for your perusal.
As a new admittee to the State Bar of Nevada, you are automatically enrolled as a member of the Young Lawyers Section. This section is open to all Nevada attorneys who are 36 years of age or less or who have been admitted to practice in Nevada for no more than three years. The Young Lawyers Section is involved in many public service and public education activities, including programs in elementary and high schools, Ask-A-Lawyer programs, other organized activities and events to support specific charities and social events that provide new Nevada lawyers with an opportunity to interact with colleagues. The section membership dues are $15.00 annually. When you receive your invoice for 2004 membership fees, we encourage you to continue membership in the Young Lawyers Section. For more information about section activities, watch for news in Nevada Lawyer and on our website at www.nvbar.org or call the State Bar.
Participation in the State Bar Continuing Legal Education Program is an outstanding professional opportunity. Our award-winning CLE Department offers seminars on fifty topics each. The mandatory "Bridge the Gap" course is scheduled for Wednesday, November 5, 2003 in Reno and Friday, November 7, 2003 in Las Vegas. Attendance at this seminar is required for all new admittees as provided in Supreme Court Rule 214.1(a)(i) which states, "… each active member of the state bar, within the first year following the successful completion of the Nevada state bar examination, shall complete the Bridge the Gap program …". This seminar focuses upon practical matters concerning the basic tenets of practicing law in Nevada. Special enrollment information is enclosed.
Although attendance at "Bridge the Gap" is mandatory, you are exempt from other CLE requirements during 2004. However, beginning in 2005, you will be required to attend twelve hours of CLE annually, two of which must be in the area of ethics. Members of the CLE staff of the State Bar are eager to respond to your inquiries regarding this important professional responsibility.
The State Bar is responsible for the administration of the attorney disciplinary system. Bar Counsel receives grievances filed against members of the Bar and investigates all matters involving possible attorney misconduct or incapacity. While attorney discipline is the primary function of the Ethics Department, attorneys within this department are an excellent resource for members seeking non-binding ethical advice based upon Supreme Court Rules and the ethics opinions of the State Bar's Ethics and Professional Responsibility Committee. The staff will be pleased to provide you with relevant advisory ethics opinions or to informally discuss ethical issues that may arise within your practice. We encourage you to contact our Ethics Department staff if you feel you need assistance in making a decision regarding attorney ethics.
2004 ANNUAL MEETING
The 2004 Annual Meeting of the State Bar of Nevada is scheduled for June 16-19, 2004, at the Loews Coronado in Coronado, California. This event is an unparalleled opportunity to meet your colleagues, attend CLE seminars and enjoy planned recreational activities. A special discounted registration fee is being offered to members of the Young Lawyers Section. President Patrick Flanagan and the Board of Governors would like to extend a personal invitation to you to attend the 2004 Annual Meeting in Coronado, and encourage you to contact the State Bar for more information.
The State Bar of Nevada is dedicated to the principle of providing exemplary service to our members and to the citizens of Nevada. With your support, the Board of Governors will continue its efforts to improve the administration of justice, strengthen the bonds of professionalism within the Bar and renew our commitment to the legal profession. We urge your participation in State Bar of Nevada activities that feature this goal.
The Board of Governors and members of the State Bar of Nevada congratulate you on passing the Nevada State Bar Examination. You have accepted this distinction as a public trust. We are confident that you will be able to combine the legal profession's challenges and opportunities with a goal of serving the citizens of Nevada.
Please accept my personal best wishes for a successful legal career.
Sincerely,
Allen W. Kimbrough
Executive Director
State Bar of Nevada