president’s column
THE STATE OF THE MBA
Annual Meeting, my goal for the MBA for 2014 is to better serve our members. Tat includes starting new programs, but also making sure that we educate our members about the services that the MBA currently offers.
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For example, did you know that the MBA has sixteen (16) sections representing many diverse practice areas from criminal defense to probate to intellectual property? Tose sections offer networking and referral opportunities, sponsor law school moot court teams, and provide resources relevant to that practice area.
Te MBA also offers outstanding CLE, which costs on average $10-$15 dollars less per credit hour than our competitors.
In December alone the MBA sponsored
twenty-four (24) different live or webcast CLE programs. We currently offer twenty-seven (27) different online programs on the MBA website. We also have a CLE package called the “passport”.
It costs $350, and entitles
you or a member of your firm to obtain fifteen (15) hours of CLE at MBA sponsored seminars. Tis passport applies to the vast majority of the seminars offered by the MBA. Multiple attorneys at one firm can use this passport, so it is not limited to only one person.
For those of you who represent individuals or small businesses, the MBA can process credit card payments for your fees.
Te examples listed above are but a sample of the services that the MBA has to offer. I hope that everyone was aware of these services, but I am willing to bet that many of you were not aware of all of them.
Additionally, as part of our goal to have the MBA better serve its membership, we developed a new program this fall. It’s called Esq. Build, and it’s an incubator project for new attorneys who graduated from the University of Memphis Law School within the last three (3) years. Participants
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am very honored and excited to begin my term as President of the MBA. As I discussed at the
are assigned attorney mentors, as well as business mentors who help them learn how to run a small business and draft a business plan. Tey receive office space at greatly reduced rent and are required to donate service hours to both Memphis Area Legal Services and the MBA.
Te MBA partnered with the University of Memphis Law School, Memphis Area Legal Services, the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) and the MBA Solo/Small Firm Section in developing Esq. Build. To our knowledge, it is the only legal incubator project in the county involving such diverse groups.
As part of Esq. Build, we have fashioned monthly CLEs designed to teach young attorneys about the practical aspects of practicing law, such as obtaining court appointments, the use of technology in your practice and avoiding ethical pitfalls. Tese CLEs are open to all attorneys, and we have had good attendance at these seminars. Te MBA is also videotaping these seminars to be placed on the website so others can benefit from this information.
Esq. Build is designed to transition young attorneys into the real world of practicing law, and give them the skills and resources to be successful. We believe this is a service that will benefit everyone in the legal community by helping train the next generation of competent, responsible attorneys.
As we have always done, the MBA will continue to offer its other services and programs, such as Law Week activities, the Bench, Bar and Boardroom Conference and the award- winning Summer Law Intern Program.
With your help and involvement, we can reach the goal of having the MBA be responsive to its member’s needs. I look forward to working with you throughout the next year, and please feel free to contact me if you have any comments or suggestions regarding how we can make this year successful.
Kirk A. Caraway
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