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Services
The Somerset County Bar Association provides a wide range of services to its member attorneys, the Somerset County 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, Receptions and Dinners
The SCBA
hosts cocktail parties, receptions 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 social events
include our Officers and Trustees Installation Dinner in September which kicks the year off.
In October, the SCBA hosts its annual "Meet the Clerks" reception where the Somerset County Superior Court Judges introduce their law
clerks.
In November, the SCBA Young Lawyers Committee (YLC) 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 always well attended as together we share the holiday spirit.
To help celebrate the New Year, the YLC hosts another cocktail party. Frequently notable guest speakers including jurists, are asked to briefly speak on subjects relevant to the Association-Judiciary relationship.
In January or February, the SCBA teams up with other Bar Associations
from the Vicinage (Hunterdon and Warren Counties) for a Vicinage Dinner. Sponsorship of the event rotates between the three counties.
The SCBA hosted the Vicinage Dinner in February, 2008, where Chief Justice Stuart A. Rabner of the New Jersey Supreme Court was our guest speaker.
Also, in the February to March time frame, the SCBA hosts
a dinner to honor volunteer attorneys and other professionals who do pro bono work
for Legal Services or for service on various mediation panels.
In the Spring, the
SCBA generally has another cocktail party to get everyone
together.
In
addition to the above, the SCBA will from time to time have
a special reception or dinner to mark an important event such as the retirement or appointment of a judge.
3.
Financial Resources Federal Credit Union
SCBA members, their families and employees are entitled to excusive benefits of credit union membership featuring free checking, free bill payer service, free debit card with broad access, and competitive rates on a wide variety of loans, Certificates, IRAs and Money Market accounts. The Credit Union also offers complimentary Financial Planning, and employee benefits and commercial loans for members' business.
For more information email us at cawinder@somersetbar.com
4. Events
The SCBA
also organizes a number of fun events for members, their friends,
clients and families. We host an annual Golf and Tennis Outing
in May or June; a night at the Bridgewater Patriots in June or September
where we encamp in the picnic area with family, friends and co-workers; and a softball game with attorneys and members of the Prosecutor's and Sheriff's Offices also in June.
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 for an exciting weekend.
BENEFITS TO THE COMMUNITY
1. The
SCBA organizes a number of events to benefit the community.
Each year from January to March, dozens of member 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 County Courthouse and present
a "trial" complete with opening statements, testimony of witnesses
and closing arguments. Real judges and attorney volunteers
hear the cases and ultimately decide which school will represent Somerset County in the State-wide competition and potentially in the National event.
2. May
1 is Law Day and every year the SCBA does something to celebrate.
In the past, SCBA attorneys have conducted public tours
of the Courthouse, and held question and answer sessions for
the community.
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 website has a Lawyer Referral Service page on which the public
can peruse biographical information on lawyer
members. 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. The success rate of this program is exceedingly
high.
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