The Sections offer members a greater voice in the programs of the State Bar and up-to-date information on developments in particular fields of law. Join one or more of the State Bar Sections today.

• The Sections will be presenting MCLE programs at The State Bar of California Annual Meeting, September 10-13, 2009 in San Diego
• Week in Legal Hong Kong, November 1 - 6, 2009, Hong Kong
• 2010 Section Education Institute and 2010 Solo and Small Firm Summit, January 21-24, 2010 in Long Beach
• The California Guide to Opening and Managing a Law Office
• 35% Discount on ABA Books for Section Members
• Upcoming Programs
• Online CLE and Self-Study
• Sections Bookstore
• Important Information About Your Member Profile
• Other News

Register now for the largest gathering of California Lawyers and Legal Professionals:

The 82nd State Bar of California Annual Meeting
September 10-13, 2009
San Diego

• Earn up to 18.5 Hours of MCLE
• Strategic Solutions to Practicing Law
• Thought-Provoking Discussions with Lawyers and Judges
• Expand and Build Networks

The Annual Meeting willl feature 130+ legal education courses, exhibit hall, and more! CLE programs at the Annual Meeting are organized across four distinct content tracks, For full information, see State Bar of California Annual Meeting.

A Week in Legal Hong Kong
Co-Sponsored by The Litigation and Real Property Law Sections

November 1 - 6, 2009
Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong, Hong Kong

The program offers 21 hours of MCLE.

The Litigation and Real Property Law Sections of the State Bar of California are pleased to announce the inaugural year for A Week in Legal Hong Kong. We are working with the legal community of Hong Kong to bring you an exciting and informative program that will take you to seven different Courts and Tribunals all the way from the Magistrates Court to The Court of Final Appeal. You will have the opportunity to meet with Judges, Barristers and Solicitors.

There are nine distinctive programs brought to you by members of the Hong Kong legal community. Each day you will learn about the Hong Kong legal system and contrast it with your own. There will be multiple networking opportunities to develop relationships in Hong Kong which benefit you and your clients in this global economy.

We also offer a guest program for spouses and non-attorney guests.

For details of the programs, events, accommodations, and further information and registration, see www.aweekinlegalhongkong.com.

Section Education Institute and California Solo and Small Firm Summit

The State Bar Sections are presenting more than 60 programs at the State Bar of California's

January 21-22, 2010 (Thursday and Friday): Solo Summit

January 22-24, 2010 (Friday through Sunday): Section Education Institute

Westin Long Beach Hotel
333 East Ocean Boulevard
Long Beach

Save the dates! Join us at the Westin Long Beach Hotel for an extensive selection of quality CLE programs and special events offered by the Sections of the State Bar of California.

This 2-1/2 day education event offers up to 16 hours of legal seminars and training programs concerning substantive legal issues and fundamental approaches to the practice of law. Earn up to 16 Hours of CLE Credit in One Weekend!

The California Guide to Opening and Managing a Law Office
Published by The State Bar of California

Available for sale now! See the Sections Bookstore for more details.

As a sole practitioner or the head of a small firm, you must act as so much more than just CEO; you also must also wear the hats of Chief Financial Officer, Human Resources Director, Chief Technology Officer, and more. The California Guide to Opening and Managing a Law Office is your personal executive team:

• Introduction and Road Map to Using the Book
• The BIG Decision to Open Your Own Law office
• Creating a Business Plan
• Finding Office Space and Location - Facilities Manager
• Law Office Systems and Procedures - Chief Financial Officer
• Finance and Cash Management - Chief Financial Officer
• Technology - Chief Technology Officer
• Solo Practice Management - Human Resources Director
• Business Development - Chief Marketing Officer
• Professional Development - Career Development Manager
• Customer Service - Customer Service Manager
• Quality of Life - Chief Wellness Officer Chapter

ABA Books at a Discount - Plus Special Reduction for All Section Members

Members of the State Bar can now recieve a 15% discount on any ABA book (or books) and all Section members receive a 35% discount on any ABA book (or books). This is a great benefit for all Section members as the savings on even a single purchase could be equal to or even exceed the cost of an annual Section membership. For instance, the savings on a purchase of $200 would be equivalent to $70. Here’s how the ABA discount program works:

• All Section members are eligible for a 35% discount. The Section Member Discount Code can be found on a special "member-only" page accessible to all Section members. Once you have the discount code simply visit the ABA web bookstore at www.abanet.org/ababookstore, select any book (or books) for purchase and during checkout, enter the special 35% discount code. To access the 35% discount code, click HERE. You will need to log into your State Bar Profile to access the link.
  
  
• Non-Section members can obtain a 15% discount. Visit the ABA web bookstore at www.abanet.org/ababookstore, and select any book (or books) for purchase. During checkout, enter the special 15% discount code PAB6ECABPW1 at checkout.

There is a wide range of books available at the ABA web bookstore including practice related books and law practice management books focusing on finance, technology, management and marketing. Note: Discount does not apply to ABA-CLE iPod products.)

Upcoming Programs

For a full list of upcoming CLE programs, see the CLE Calendar.

Online CLE & Self-Study

The Sections offer ongoing opportuntities for continuing legal education credit:

State Bar Online CLE for Participatory Credit: It ’s fast, it’s easy, it’s relevant, and it’s time! View Section programs over the internet for participatory MCLE credit. Our catalog contains over 550 individual seminars totaling more than 650 hours of online CLE with 125 individual seminars in the areas of Ethics, Elimination of Bias and Detection / Prevention of Substance Abuse. Includes 450 seminars done by California attorneys for California attorneys. Programs are offered at both modem and broadband connection speeds, and provide participatory CLE credit. For a complete catalog of courses, click HERE.

Self-Study CLE

Versa-Tape Company has a large library of audio cassettes and CDs of educational programs sponsored by the State Bar of California and all of the State Bar Sections. Search for key words or see all the programs sponsored by each section at Versa-Tape's State Bar page. For information, call 626-791-8907, 800-727-8883 or visit www.versatape.com.

For participants with special needs, please contact the State Bar of California Office of Meeting Services at 415-538-2210 or TDD 415-538-2231 for hearing impaired.

Sections Bookstore

In addition to our regular publications such as journals and other member benefits, the Sections also publish materials available for sale to all lawyers and the general public.

• Antitrust and Unfair Competition
• Business Law
• Intellectual Property Law
• Labor and Employment Law Section
• Litigation Section
• Real Property Law
• Trusts and Estates

For more information, see Sections Bookstore.

Important Information About Your Member Profile

Section Members… Have you set up your My State Bar Profile password yet? If not , make it a priority. Here are the important things things you will be able to do when your profile is in place:

• Enter the Members-Only Area of any Section of which you’re a member, and have immediate access to key publications, past newsletters, updates, and special offers available only to members Important note: After June 1, 2004, your only access to the Sections' members-only areas will be via the My State Bar Profile password..
• Participate in Section discussion boards and share ideas, tips and information with your fellow Bar members
• Update your own State Bar membership record quickly and easily without having to go through State Bar offices
• Designate a public email address for your public address of record, and a private email address for your State Bar correspondence
• Pay your State Bar dues online via credit card or electronic debit
• Submit MCLE compliance online

Expanding Benefits - The opportunities afforded by the Sections’ Members Only Areas will be growing steadily, as more Sections add discussion boards and content to their sites. In the future, you will be able to sign up for distribution lists from specific Sections so you can receive important legislative alerts, practice tips, updates and notices in the form of e-communication.

Create your Member Profile NOW! Start by going to www.calbar.ca.gov/members. Then, just enter your State Bar
access code and follow the instructions provided. (Note: Your access code appeared on your 2003 State Bar dues statement. Since we know that you may not have retained that number, we also mailed letters with your access code to all Section members . Letter to attorney members were mailed in mid-May, and to associate (non-attorney) members in June.

For more detailed information, see the pages about the Members Only Area on the sites of the individual Sections.

Join us as we continue to build our community of professionals online, and provide you with the ever-expanding resources for your practice.

Other News

To see the agendas of recent and upcoming Section Executive Committee Meetings, see Sections Agendas.

The State Bar of California and the State Bar Sections are State Bar of California-approved MCLE providers.