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Services
The
Somerset County Bar Association provides a wide range of services
to its member attorneys, the Somerset Judiciary and the community.
BENEFITS TO MEMBERS
1.
Committees and Seminars
The SCBA
has numerous committees on both substantive areas of the law,
i.e., Civil, Criminal, Family, etc., and working committees
for the Bar, i.e., newsletter, website, programs, etc. The
substantive Committees meet periodically to discuss issues
affecting Somerset County, new developments in the law and
to plan seminars or other events.
We are proud that attendees at our seminars are generally
awarded CLE credits. The seminars are presented by Judges,
Experts and prominent attorneys in the field. See
the list of our Committees, and see
our calendar of upcoming seminars,
2. Cocktail Parties and Dinners
The SCBA
hosts cocktail parties and dinners throughout the year that
give our members a chance to socialize and network in a relaxed
atmosphere with other attorneys and local judges. These parties
include our Induction Dinner in September which kicks off
the year. In September 2002, the SCBA honored Somerset County
Attorneys who have served over 50 years in the legal community.
New Jersey Supreme Court Justice Peter Verniero was on hand
to speak and pass out plaques.
In October the SCBA hosts its annual judges and clerks cocktail
party where the Somerset County Judges introduce their law
clerks. New Jersey Supreme Court Justice Barry Albin spoke
at the October 2002 event.
In November, the SCBA hosts a cocktail party for new members
to meet and greet the officers, trustees and committee chairs.
It is a good place to learn more about our organization.
The Holiday Party in December is a big night for the SCBA.
Whether we give gag gifts to the judges, or have a professional
Comedian and DJ, as we did in 2002, it is always a fun event.
In January or February the SCBA teams up with other Bar Associations
from the Vicinage (Hunterdon and Warren) for a Vicinage Dinner.
Each County takes turns hosting the event. In February 2002,
it was our turn and Judge John Hughes from the Federal Bench
in Trenton presented his highly amusing multi media show on
Survival in the Federal Courts.
Also, in the February to March time frame, the SCBA hosts
a dinner to honor volunteer attorneys who do pro bono work
for Legal Services or for service on various mediation panels.
The guest speaker on March 6, 2003 was the Honorable Peter
Harvey, the New Jersey Attorney General. In the Spring, the
SCBA generally has another cocktail party to get everyone
together. In May, we have a final dinner for the season at
which we honor any judges, members or friends who have passed
away.
In May 2002, the Bar had a high turnout to honor Connie Hermes,
our Executive Director for 11 years who had passed away. In
addition to the above, the SCBA will from time to time have
a special cocktail party to mark an important event. On January
9, 2003, for example, the SCBA honored Judge Helen Hoens on
her elevation to the Appellate Division. The Honorable Sylvia
Pressler, Presiding Judge of the Appellate Division was one
of our guest speakers at the event.
3.
Disability Policy
Available
to SCBA members beginning in 2002 is a long term professional
disability policy tailored specifically for our association
at affordable rates. For more information email us at info@somersetbar.com
4. Events
The SCBA
also organizes a number of fun events for members, their friends,
clients and family. We host an annual Golf and Tennis Outing
in May or June; a night at the Bridgewater Patriots in June
where we encamp in the picnic area and the President throws
out the first ball; and a softball game also in June between
the Judges and Clerks against the Bar Association.
Last year the SCBA introduced two new events: A Day at the
Races at Monmouth Park and a Halloween Laser Light show at
the Raritan Valley Community College Planetarium. At Monmouth
Park the SCBA enjoyed a buffet luncheon at trackside. The
Laser show was a sing along for members and their children
that everyone enjoyed. See our upcoming
events.
Periodically, the SCBA also organizes a trip to Washington,
D.C. where members are sworn into the United States Supreme
Court. The SCBA reserves rooms and organizes trips for members
and their families to make an exciting weekend out of it.
BENEFITS TO THE COMMUNITY
1. The
SCBA organizes a number of events to benefit the community.
Each year from January to March, dozens of attorney volunteers
coach and judge Somerset County High School students who compete
in the state wide Mock Trial Competitions. Each year teams
of students square off in the Somerset Courthouse and present
a "trial" complete with opening statements, testimony of witnesses
and closing arguments. Real judges and attorney volunteers
decide which team advances, ultimately perhaps to the State
finals.
2. May
1 is Law Day and every year the SCBA does something to celebrate.
The SCBA attorneys in alternate years conduct public tours
of the Courthouse, or hold questions and answer sessions for
the community. In 2002 the SCBA also held a seminar for high
school students on an interesting issue affecting students.
Judge Thomas Dilts was our mediator.
3. In
2002, the SCBA had a booth at the Somerset County 4-H Fair
where volunteers handed out literature to the public with
information regarding Social Security, Consumers Rights, and
education law among others. See our
upcoming events.
THE
LAWYER REFERRAL SERVICE
The SCBA
Lawyer Referral Service benefits both the public and our members
by providing a means by which a prospective client can locate
an attorney. Our referral service uses a traditional phone
service where the public calls in to the SCBA office and the
coordinator assists in finding a suitable referral. Also,
the SCBA now has a website referral service where the public
can peruse biographical information on a number of lawyer
members and decide who they want to meet. There is a minimal
$50 consultation fee for a half hour (except for personal
injury, social security or workers' compensation matters -
where the consultation is free). For more information click
here.
MEDIATION
PANELS
Volunteer
attorneys serve pro bono on a variety of mediation panels
to assist the judiciary and the public by resolving litigation.
Panel members meet with litigants to assist in settling economic
and intricate family law claims. Their success rate is exceedingly
high.
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