Vote for 2012-13 officers, ABA delegate by May 25

You received an e-mail yesterday (May 15) containing a link to a ballot for this year's election of ISBA officers and ABA delegate. The ballot must be completed and returned by May 25.

The ISBA Board of Governors (BOG) at its March quarterly meeting nominated Guy Cook, Des Moines, for president-elect. He currently serves as vice president. Governors nominated Joe Feller, Sibley, for vice president. They nominated Alan Olson, Des Moines, to serve another two-year term as ABA delegate.

Cynthia Moser, Sioux City, automatically becomes president on June 20. She currently serves as president-elect.

This year’s voting is being conducted electronically. This link in the e-mail takes you to the electronic ballot. However, you may vote via paper ballot if you are unsure about voting electronically. Simply reply to the e-mail and request a paper ballot. It will contain mailing instructions for sending back to the ISBA.

Notice of judicial vacancy in judicial election district 5C

The judicial nominating commission for Judicial District 5C is soliciting applications for a district court judge to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Donna Paulsen. Deadline for application is June 11.

Anyone wishing to be considered for the position must be an attorney admitted to the practice of law in Iowa, a resident of the Judicial District 5C, and be able to complete the initial and one regular term of office prior to reaching age 72. The regular term of a District Court Judge is six years.

For more information, including how to apply, read the notice.

Drake triumphs again in Dean’s Cup golf contest

Drake University took the honors for the seventh consecutive year in Monday’s (May 14) annual Dean’s Cup competition that pits the law school alumni from Drake against those from the University of Iowa. Iowa Legal Aid was the ultimate winner, however.

All proceeds from the eight-year-old rivalry, including a portion of the registration fee, sponsorship funds and silent auction purchases, are given to Iowa Legal Aid. A final tally was still being figured at press-time, but all parties involved were optimistic that this year’s proceeds might be the best in recent years. For one thing, a record number of 120 golfers participated this year, according to Greg Kenyon, one of the organizers of the annual event.

The final score was 52-46 in favor of Drake. Drake captain Chief Justice Mark Cady and his team won the match play portion of the contest 49-39. U of I captain Judge Eliza Ovrom and her team won the scramble 7-3. View a couple of photos.

New Family Law Manual contains up-to-date Iowa code and caselaw

The new Family Law Manual now available incorporates Iowa code and caselaw updates through March 1, 2012, along with a new chapter on contempt and substantially revised chapters on subjects such as dissolution of marriage, property division, child support, etc.

The 2012 version is a significant revision of the 2008 manual, according to chief author Andrew Howie. About the only thing that hasn’t changed in the four years since the last revision are the forms. Those have been standard for 20 years or more, he says.

The manual was written primarily for new lawyers and lawyers who don’t have a lot of experience in the Family Law arena. However, experienced family practitioners will also benefit from the updates, particularly of the code and caselaw, Howie believes.

Purchase the manual in the ISBA’s Online Store.

Bench-Bar Conference described as one of the “best” in recent years

Approximately 85 judges and attorneys attended the 2012 Bench-Bar Conference at the Inn of Okoboji the first three days of May. Attendees, many of whom have participated in the Bench-Bar conferences for a number of years, described this year’s event as one of the best they’ve attended.

The theme of this year’s conference was “Citizen Lawyer/Citizen Judge.” Topics revolved around how to guarantee access to justice to all Iowans given the tight financial resources facing the judicial branch. A panel discussion on Thursday morning entitled “Triage Justice” examined priority scheduling and the resourceful use of scarce resources from the viewpoints of a supreme court justice, two district court judges and two attorneys.

A panel discussion on Friday morning entitled “Courts: Society’s Emergency Room – Access to Justice, Challenges in Delivery of Due Process and Outreach” followed up on the theme with a mix of judges and attorneys. Sprinkled in with the panel discussions were presentations on ethics, the new advertising rules under consideration and the Civil Justice Reform Task Force recommendations.

A major benefit of the conference was the opportunity for interaction between judges and attorneys. Since its inception in 1989, the conference has been an informal affair where coats, ties and titles are not allowed, only first names are to be used, and time is set aside for social interaction. As one first-time attendee, an attorney, pointed out: “I’ve been to a lot of conferences, but this is by far the best.” See photos here.

General Practice Section’s Two-Person Best Shot coming up

Speaking of golf, the ISBA’s General Practice Section is still taking registrations for its annual Two-Person Best Shot tournament on Monday, June 11. The tournament will be held at Glen Oaks Country Club in West Des Moines, home of the Principal Charity Classic Golf Tournament on the Seniors tour.

Registration begins at 9 a.m. An ethics presentation good for one state hour of CLE credit, including one ethics hour, starts at 10:30. Lunch is at 11:30, followed by a shotgun start to the golf tournament at 12:30. Prizes are awarded after the golf outing.

For more information and to register, click here. Deadline for registration is June 6.

Deadline for newsletter submissions

Items for each Wednesday’s Iowa Lawyer Weekly newsletter must be submitted by 10 a.m. the day the newsletter is published to be considered for inclusion. The deadline is necessary so the newsletter can be formatted, reviewed and sent out by early afternoon. Please send all submissions to Steve Boeckman at sboeckman@iowabar.org.