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Introduction to Jeff Wright, State Public Defender

Jeff Wright was supposed to speak at the April meeting of the LCBA, however he was unable to do so since the meeting was canceled due to COVID-19. We plan to invite Jeff back to speak once it is safe for us to meet in person. In the meantime, Jeff put together this brief video explaining his background and his role as the state public defender. We would like to thank Jeff for taking the time to put together this video. We look forward to hosting him at a future LCBA meeting! If you have questions for Jeff, please feel free to email us at linncobar@gmail.com and we will pass them along.

Click here to view the video.

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Notice of Annual Meeting & Elections June 18, 2020

Members:
Each year in June the LCBA votes on the slate of officers for the next year. Due to Covid-19, our June meeting will be held electronically over Zoom. Please see the Notice of Annual Meeting below.

To permit members to cast their votes on the proposed slate of officers and not delay the meeting, an Electronic Poll will be sent out the day before the meeting. This will be similar to the lunch RSVPs emails you have received in the past.
In addition to voting on the slate of officers there will also be votes to ratify the Board of Governors decisions to conduct the annual meeting and the election via electronic means.
Voting will be open from June 17, 2020 at 11am until June 18, 2020 at 11am. The results will be announced during the meeting on June 18, 2020.
If you have further questions, please contact the Linn County Bar at linncobar@gmail.com.

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF LINN COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION VIA ZOOM

The 2020 Annual Meeting of the Linn County Bar Association will be held via Zoom in Linn County on Thursday, June 18, 2020 from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m. The speaker will be Rob Sand, Auditor of the State of Iowa. Business to be conducted at the annual meeting shall include the following:

  1. Ratification of the Board of Governors decision to conduct the annual meeting of the Linn County Bar Association via electronic means, specifically Zoom; and,
  2. Ratification of the Board of Governors decision to conduct the election of new officers and members via electronic means, specifically Google forms with voting open from 11:00 AM on June 17, 2020, until June 18, 2020 11:00 AM. Results will be announced during the Annual Meeting of the LCBA on June 18, 2020.
  3. Announcement of the election results.
    The Linn County Bar Association’s Nominating Committee has selected a slate of nominees to be placed on the ballot for election at the Annual Meeting, which is normally held on the third Thursday of June (June 18, 2020). Due to COVID-19, the Board of Governors has approved a motion to conduct the annual meeting of the Linn County Bar Association via electronic means, specifically Zoom. The Board of Governors also approved a motion to conduct the election via electronic means, specifically Google forms.
    Details will be sent at a later date with information for members to participate in the LCBA annual meeting via Zoom; and information for members to participate in the election via Google forms. The Proposed Nominees are:

    President-Elect (term of presidency 2021-2022): Laura Hyer, Bradley & Riley, PC

    Treasurer (two-year term 2020-2022): Erin Grabe, Hills Bank and Trust Company

    Board of Governors (three-year term 2019-2022):
    Lisa Gavin, Iowa Legal Aid
    Shannon Powers, Lederer Weston, Craig, PLC
    Holly Corkery, Lynch Dallas, P.C. (completion of year three of three-year term for Laura Hyer)

    Current President-Elect Megan Merritt, Shuttleworth & Ingersoll, P.L.C., will become President at the Annual Meeting.

    In addition to the names submitted by the Nominating Committee, any member of the Association may have his or her name placed upon the ballot for a position by submitting to the LCBA a petition with at least ten (10) LCBA members’ signatures. Nomination petitions shall be submitted to LCBA President Phillip Seidl (pseidl@sccrlaw.com) by no later than May 21, 2020, a date at least four weeks prior to the June 18 Annual Meeting date. Members will vote on and elect the officers and governors for the open positions through Google forms with balloting conducted commencing June 17, 2020 until 11:00 AM June 18, 2020 with results announced at the Annual Meeting

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LCBA Summer Outing postponed

The LCBA Board of Governors has voted to postpone the LCBA’s Summer Outing, previously scheduled for Thursday, July 9. The plan for now is to “wait and see” our community’s progress toward reopening as the pandemic subsides and then hold a celebration or some other event to welcome LCBA members back.  We know members had looked forward to our annual summer event and will keep you updated with future plans. Stay safe!

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Cancelled: March LCBA Luncheon

Please note that the March LCBA luncheon scheduled for Thursday, March 12th at noon has been cancelled due to public health concerns. Please feel free to contact the LCBA with any questions or concerns.

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Linn Law Club – January Happy Hour

Please join the Linn Law Club at 5:00 PM tonight (January 23rd) for their January Happy Hour! This event will take place at Moniker 86, 821 3rd Avenue SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403. There will be drinks, appetizers, and great company! We hope to see you there!

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LCBA Bench Bar Gala

The 2020 LCBA Bench Bar Gala will take place on Thursday, January 16th from 4:30-6:30 at the Eastbank Venue, 97 3rd Avenue SE, Cedar Rapids.

This annual event is an opportunity for our members to socialize and will feature:

  • A tribute to our 50 year members of the LCBA
  • Recognition of our retiring judges
  • Recognition of the recipient of the LCBA’s annual Citizenship Award

Members are encouraged to arrive beginning at 4:30 to enjoy complimentary hors d’oeuvres, wine, beer, and refreshments.

Please plan to attend this important and fun event. This event is free of charge to all dues-paid LCBA members.

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Last Chance for Ethics CLE Dec. 12

The LCBA Last Chance (for Ethics) CLE will be held on December 12, 2019 at the Ideal Social Hall, 213 16th Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids. Doors Open at 3:30 p.m. Cash bar, but free snacks!

Please click here to RSVP for the CLE by Friday, December 6, 2019.

UI College of Law Professor Emily Hughes will present, followed by Lynch Dallas Associates Nathan Kooker and Ben Roberson who will conduct a rapid-fire disciplinary case law update. At 5:15 p.m., Sixth Judicial District Court Judge Christopher Bruns and his panel will take over to discuss a lawyer’s ethical duties when “zealously representing” their clients.

Free to dues-paid bar members! However, please note that LCBA has collected through voluntary contributions less than $1,000 this year for our charitable giving committee. We used to distribute $40,000, which would be $114 per member. In this season of giving, consider making that donation now since many of you did not make the contribution with your dues. You can make a donation with your credit or debit card at the LCBA Last Chance (for Ethics) CLE—see Erin and Sarah at the door or drop cash in the hat. We will deliver what we collect to the LCBA’s charitable giving committee. Thank you!