Palm Beach County Bar Association

Dear Fellow Bar Member:

Since 1922, the Bar has had a long history and tradition of service to Palm Beach County's legal community and to the public. We would like to invite you to join the Bar in its continuing service in these areas. The upcoming year promises continued opportunities for committee membership, including the following:

· Continued changes with the Bench Bar Conference organized by the Judicial Relations Committee
· Outstanding CLE programming
· Service to the community through numerous public service committees

Please consider joining your colleagues in service to the Bar and the community. Committee service not only provides an excellent opportunity to develop leadership skills, it also provides an opportunity to build collegiality with your fellow members of the Bar and the Judiciary.

If you are interested in actively serving as Chair of any committee, please let me know. Please select no more than three committees and indicate your preference by checking 1, 2 or 3. You must fill out this form even if you currently serve on a committee. Failure to do so will result in your name being purged from the committee.

You may submit this application by clicking on the "submit" button below or you may print the form and fax it to the Bar office at (561) 687-9007 or mail it to 1601 Belvedere Rd #302E, West Palm Beach, FL 33406. PLEASE REMIT BY MAY 15, 2008. You will be contacted in June as to your committee appointments.

We appreciate your willingness to volunteer and hope you will remember that the success of the Bar and its committees is only possible through the active participation of each committee member. Please stay involved.....this is YOUR Association.

Sincerely,
Richard D. Schuler, President-elect

Title:	Mr., Mrs., Ms.
First Name:
Last Name:
Firm/Office Name:
Business Address:
Address2:
City:
State:
Zip:
Business Phone:
Fax:
Email:
	*Please type the red letters/numbers in the box above.

First Choice :	Check if willing to serve as chair
Second Choice :	Check if willing to serve as chair
Third Choice :	Check if willing to serve as chair


DESCRIPTIONS OF AVAILABLE COMMITTEES: Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee promotes the use of ADR to lawyers, businesses and the public by sponsoring programs which enhance ADR skills. Blood Bank Committee coordinates our blood bank drives with the Palm Beach Blood Bank. Client Relations Committee handles minor complaints from clients, mediates informally in an effort to assist clients, and works to avoid grievances against attorneys and promote better public relations. The Continuing Legal Education Committees gives members an opportunity to interact with others practicing in similar areas of law. General committee meetings may be submitted for possible CLER credit from The Florida Bar. The function of each committee is to plan, organize and conduct at least one CLE program per fiscal year. Members are also asked to participate in the Speakers’ Bureau by addressing community organizations as requested. Bankruptcy Law CLE Commercial and Business Litigation CLE Community Association Law CLE Construction Law CLE Employment / Labor Law CLE Estate & Probate Law CLE Family Law CLE Personal Injury / Wrongful Death Law CLE Real Estate Law CLE Court Advisory and Practice Area Committees initiate and consider suggestions to improve the practice in their respective area. Members are also asked to participate in the Speakers’ Bureau by addressing community organizations as requested and assisting in the coordination of the agenda for the annual Bench Bar Conference. Appellate Law Practice Circuit Court Civil Law Practice Criminal Law Practice Probate & Guardianship Law Practice Unified Family Practice Workers’ Compensation Law Practice Diversity and Gender Sensitivity Committee addresses the issues of diversity, to encourage awareness of and sensivity to diversity issues raised by the practice of law and access to legal services. It will also continue to coordinate the Bar's Minority Initiative whereby minority students are placed in law firms and governmental agencies for internships. Elder Law Affairs Committee addresses the needs of the elderly such as crimes against the elderly, Alzheimer's, access to the Courts and educating the elderly. Also sponsors a CLE seminar for members of the Bar on elder law issues. Guardianship Education Committee staffs guardianship education classes required for all wards to attend. The committee also works with the judiciary by reviewing the contents of the classes. Historical Committee dedicated to preserving the history of the Palm Beach County legal profession, and writing articles of historical interest for the Bulletin. Independence of the Judiciary and Bar Committee educates the public on the role of judges and lawyers as the third branch of government, and the need for an independent judiciary Judicial Relations Committee serves as liaison between the Bar and the Judiciary; plans, implements and coordinates programs for better understanding and relations between the Bench and Bar including the bi-annual judicial evaluation and the Bench/Bar Conference. Law Week Committee plans, organizes, promotes and coordinates the activities of Law Week 2009. These programs include conducting mock trials in the schools as well as providing various opportunities for the public such as free legal clinics, ask-a-lawyer and dial-a-lawyer programs. Lawyers for Literacy works on programs to raise awareness in the community about illiteracy Membership Committee serves to build membership, welcomes new members and reviews and evaluates potential member benefit programs and services. Professionalism Committee addresses ways to instill a sense of professionalism in Bar members; responds to negative publicity concerning the legal profession; reviews complaints referred to the Professionalism Council and conducts an annual CLE program on ethics and professionalism. Quality of Life/Stress Management Committee promotes finding equilibrium between work, family and community involvement to maximize good health and minimize stress in one's career. Small Claims Court Clinics Committee presents monthly clinics for the public on small claims court procedures at locations throughout the county. Participants must have recent experience in small claims court matters in order to participate on this committee. Solo/Small Firm Practitioner's Committee plans and hosts luncheons throughout the year for the solo practitioner and small firm attorney with the focus on networking and seminars on topics relating to “The Business of Law Meets the Practice of Law.” Special Needs of Children Committee handles projects that address the special needs of children, such as drug abuse, divorce and child advocacy. Western County Committee addresses the needs and services to attorneys practicing in the Western Community as the growth in that part of the County continues

Calendar of Events

Address Change Form

Continuing Legal Education

Dues Renewal Form

Members Only Site

Membership Application