ASL's Department of Continuing Legal Education invites you to join us for "Show Me the Money!"

 

Show Me the Money! Finding Credits, Deductions, Rebates, Investments, Grants and Loans for Your Clients' Use of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiencies   When Monday, August 12, 2013 9:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.     Where Appalachian School of Law Booth Center Classroom 1169 Edgewater Drive Grundy, VA 24614 AND The Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center One Partnership Circle Abingdon, VA 24212 ASL's Department of Continuing Legal Education invites you to join us for "Show Me the Money!" This three-hour seminar will provide the background necessary to take advantage of various financial incentives for renewable energy and energy efficiencies.  The program appeals to attorneys whose clients want to make energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements on their properties; practitioners who represent or hope to represent renewable energy companies; business people serving renewable energy companies; entities or individuals who transact with renewable energy providers; practitioners and business counselors looking to save money for their clients in their energy usage; and localities, builders and property owners interested in learning about the financial incentives that exist to encourage 'green' energy practices.  The first half of the seminar will cover several major incentives for the renewable energy industry, such as production tax credits, section 1603 grants, DOE loan guarantees, renewable energy credits and proposals to expand certain tax advantageous corporate structures to entities seeking private investment in energy efficiency and renewable energy projects.  The second half will focus on incentives available for general commercial businesses, builders, localities and property owners to utilize renewables and/or increase efficiencies - investment tax credits, PACE financing, net and dual metering, green building incentives and other energy efficiency measures.  While there are countless regulations and programs to encourage energy efficiencies and the development of renewables, this seminar will focus on the law relating to financial incentives -- such as tax credits and deductions, business structures to encourage investment, and government grant and loan programs.   Presented by: Mark "Buzz" Belleville Associate Professor of Law Appalachian School of Law *3 hours of CLE credit is pending approval by the Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Board of the Virginia State Bar Association Program Registration includes: Program Materials Mid-morning break (w/ refreshments) Early Registration Fee:               $60.00 Registration Fee (at the door):    $75.00   Please click the link below to register.  Register Now! We look forward to seeing you at this CLE! Please contact us if you have questions regarding this, or any other, continuing legal education program presented by ASL.   Department of Continuing Legal Education Appalachian School of Law cle@asl.edu (276)244-1302

2003 ASL Graduate Rochelle Richardson Opens First Legal-Aid Clinic for Homeless Veterans

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/baltimore-city/south-baltimore/bs-md-federal-workplace-homeless-vets-20130712,0,1194314.story

VA opens first legal-aid clinic for homeless veterans

Lawyers hope to help vets navigate the benefits application process

University of Baltimore law students Christopher Moschkin (left) and Janice Shih (right) pose for a portrait with Americorp fellow and attorney Rochelle Richardson (center). All three work with the Homeless Persons Representation Project. (Erin Kirkland / Baltimore Sun / July 2, 2013)

 

By Justin George, The Baltimore Sun

12:09 p.m. EDT, July 21, 2013

Honorably discharged decades ago, a former Marine was living in a Baltimore homeless shelter, surviving with the help of $255 a month for a disability he suffered while in the service.
Then he met Rochelle Richardson.
Richardson, an attorney who works with the Homeless Persons Representation Project to provide indigent veterans free legal counsel, learned that the man had an outstanding claim for post-traumatic stress disorder.
Richardson untangled his claim and submitted others for other unreported disabilities the former Marine sustained while he was in the corps.In June, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs issued the man a back payment of $23,396 and began sending monthly benefit checks of $1,503. He is no longer homeless.
Richardson hopes to continue securing back pay and benefits for former service members as she oversees the state's first Veterans Administration Medical Center legal clinic.
The clinic, which opened this month on the fifth floor of the Baltimore VA Annex on West Fayette Street, fills what Richardson says is a longtime need to help the growing number of homeless veterans who struggle to navigate the complex process of applying for benefits.
Nearly 18 percent of Baltimore's shelter population are homeless vets, according to recent census figures.
Richardson says she grew up in a military family. "For people who come from the military community, there's an aspect of our military culture that you don't leave anybody behind," she said. "They are former service members."
The clinic was created by the VA, the Homeless Persons Representation Project and Equal Justice Works AmeriCorps, which is paying Richardson's salary. Additional legal assistance, which is free to veterans, is to come from area law students and other attorneys who Richardson hopes will volunteer a few hours a week to help veterans.
"This is a case where having a lawyer makes a big difference," said Joe Surkiewicz, a spokesman for the Homeless Persons Representation Project.
Veterans advocates, President Barack Obama and lawmakers including Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski have pushed the VA to reduce a historic backlog in disability claims.
Baltimore's VA office is one of the worst-performing in the nation, weekly data released by the agency show. Nearly 79 percent of the 12,596 disability claims at the office are more than 125 days old. The national average is about 67 percent.
The average wait for a decision in the Baltimore office, which serves all of Maryland, is nearly 22 months. The error rate is among the highest in the country at 18.8 percent; the national average is 10.1 percent.
The Homeless Persons Representation Project had been talking with the VA for years about starting a legal clinic. It has been training volunteer attorneys to handle disability claims and sending them to health fairs and shelters since 2008.
But Antonia Fasanelli, executive director of the Homeless Persons Representative Project, believed that a permanent clinic was needed to handle the demand. She enlisted the support of Equal Justice Works AmeriCorps, and the VA cleared space in its downtown medical facility for the operation.
Richardson, who had worked as an attorney to the Board of Veterans' Appeals helping review benefit claims decisions made by local offices and subsequent appeals, was chosen to run the project.
Richardson said attorneys with the clinic will represent veterans all the way through the claims process.
"We knew there were veterans who had pretty complex claims," Fasanelli said. "It would be wonderful if there were some lawyers who could help out."
On a typical night, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development estimates, more than 62,600 veterans are homeless. The National Coalition for Homeless Veterans says twice that many veterans are likely to experience homelessness at some point over the course of a year.
After the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, veterans associations expect the number of homeless veterans to grow. About 12,700 veterans involved in recent wars or operations were homeless in 2010, the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans reported.
jgeorge@baltsun.com
twitter.com/justingeorge

Read more: http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/baltimore-city/south-baltimore/bs-md-federal-workplace-homeless-vets-20130712,0,1194314.story#ixzz2ZxtVy1a2

ASL’s Professor Patrick Baker and 2010 ASL Alumni Blair N.C. Wood to Speak at Mineral Rights Seminar

ASL’s Professor Patrick Baker and 2010 ASL Alumni Blair N.C. Wood will give a seminar in Roanoke, Virginia On October 10, 2013:  “Mineral Rights, What You Need to Know Now!” as part of the National Business Institute’s Continuing Legal Education series. Also presenting are Timothy W. Gresham and Wendy Inge.

Amidst the changing landscape of mineral rights law, attorneys are fielding more questions than ever before. Attorneys need to be prepared to answer lease and royalty questions, handle clouds on titles involving mineral interests, and stay current on the latest issues regarding use of surface issues. The seminar will provide insight on effectively assisting clients with force pooling and unitization agreements and other practical tips for practicing attorneys, paralegals, government officials, engineers, title agents and developers.

Attendees are eligible for six (6) Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credits and 0.60 International Association for Continuing Education Training (IACET) credits by attending the seminar. During the course of the day, the presenters and attendees will:

•        Review methods to create ownership of mineral rights.

•        Examine mining/extraction rights and easements, effective negotiation of them including overcoming eminent domain and valuation issues.

•        Discuss how to resolve conflicts among owners, including use of surface and trespass issues.

•        Review the law of mine void and pore space as it pertains to natural gas and mining companies.

•        Discover the ins and outs of coal bed methane ownership and force pooling and unitization agreements.

•        Learn about the latest Virginia case law.

•        Effectively draft and negotiate mineral interest leases and royalties.

•        Discuss title problems left by old mineral rights leases and avoid the problems they cause.

•        Apply the Virginia Gas and Oil Act to current cases.

Online registration for the full-day, basic-to-intermediate level legal program is at:

 http://www.nbi-sems.com.

Raffle Tickets Now Available to the Augusta National Golf Tournament

 

 

We have raffle tickets for 2 badges at the Augusta National in Augusta, GA, for the championship Round on April 11, 12 or 13, 2014. Badges include:

·         VIP preferred parking passes or VIP shuttle to & from hotels

·         Full continental breakfast

·         Gourmet lunch

·         Afternoon buffet and open bar

·         Daily programs and souvenirs

 

Last year’s winner, Dawneda Williams, reported that it was “well worth the trip.” Tickets are $10 each, and are available in the Development Office in the Booth Center. We will draw the winner’s name at the conclusion of ASL’s annual Golf Tournament on Sat., August 17. The winner does not have to be present to win. Consolation gifts will include golf and entertainment items. Watch this space for more details.

Karen Harvey, CFRE

Director of Institutional Development
Appalachian School of Law
1169 Edgewater Drive
Grundy, VA 24614
276-244-1241

kharvey@asl.edu

ASL Students Study Abroad in Europe this Summer

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three of ASL’s rising 3L students, Ryan James, Diana Netterville and Steven Baisey, have been studying abroad in London this summer through a program by Southwestern Law School.

“London has been a tremendous experience for the three of us.  The culture is a breath of fresh air and the lifestyle is uniquely European.   Paris has some of the most incredible structures in the world.  We were able to experience the French culture and visit sites like the Eiffel Tower.  Having the opportunity to run with the bulls in Spain is an experience none of the three of us will soon forget.   It was the grand finale of our trip and there was certainly no let down.  We are thankful to Southwestern Law School because we not only experienced life in Europe but were able to take courses in Sports Law and Entertainment Law.  Both courses allowed us fascinating insight into the respective industries and they are so narrowly focused that we are privy to the intricacies of each field and how each operates.”- Ryan James

 "Studying abroad has been an unimaginable experience, from the Southwestern Sports and Entertainment Law program, to exploring all that London has to offer, traveling Europe with old and new friends to see the sights of Paris and run with the bulls in Pamplona, Spain.  Everything about this trip has been truly amazing."  - Steve Baisey

"My time in London has been unbelievable! In my short five weeks studying abroad I have been to Paris, seen the play Hamlet in the Globe Theatre, watched tennis at Wimbledon, and run with the bulls in Pamplona, Spain! Studying abroad has exposed to experiences that most people dream about!" - Diana Netterville

ASL Grads Joseph A. Fanduzz and D. Adam Moore named Stars of the Quarter by the Tennessee Bar Association

Congratulations to Joseph Fanduzz and Adam Moore who were named Stars of the Quarter by the Tennessee Bar Association.

"Fanduzz was recognized for his service as vice chair of the YLD's Membership & Law School Outreach Committee, his work on the Judicial Internship Program -- which matches Tennessee law students with trial judges in the state for summer internships -- and for serving on the TBA Mentoring Task Force, which developed plans this year for a mentoring program to help new lawyers. Fanduzz works at Jolley & Eldridge where he handles tort and personal injury cases as well as criminal defense. He graduated from the Appalachian School of Law in 2007. Moore was recognized for consistent production of the YLD's monthly newsletter E-DICT. He serves as editor of the publication. A 2006 graduate of the Appalachian School of Law, Moore works at Regions Trust where he handles trust and estate administration."

http://www.knoxvilledailysun.com/news/2013/july/knoxville-lawyers-tba.html

ASL Hosts Compensability and Resolution of Workers' Compensation Claims CLE on August 13, 2013

APPALACHIAN SCHOOL OF LAW  Continuing Legal Education

Compensability and Resolution of Workers' Compensation Claims August 13, 2013   When Tuesday August 13, 2013 from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM EDT     Where Appalachian School of Law Booth Center Classroom 1169 Edgewater Drive Grundy, VA 24614 and Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center Room 130 One Partnership Circle Abingdon, VA 24212   ASL's Department of Continuing Legal Education invites you to join us for our latest CLE program: This workers' compensation CLE, sponsored by Appalachian School of Law, is a legal and statutory update of Virginia workers' compensation laws. Topics discussed will include current trends relative to Medicare and mandated set asides, the recent development and implementation of mediation within the administrative process, and local and national court trends regarding the determination of compensable injuries and occupational diseases.  Presented by:  Kendall Isaac ASL Faculty Anne Rife Workers' Compensation Attorney Midkiff, Muncie & Ross, P.C. Deborah Blevins Deputy Commissioner and Mediator Virginia Workers' Compensation Commission *3 hours of CLE credit is pending approval by the Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Board of the Virginia State Bar Association   Program Registration includes: Program Materials Mid-morning break (w/ refreshments) Early Registration Fee (by Aug. 9):    $60.00 Registration Fee (at the door):           $75.00   To register or RSVP contact:   Department of Continuing Legal Education Appalachian School of Law CLE@asl.edu (276)244-1302

ABA Journal notes that ASL’s retention rate for merit-based scholarship students is over 90 percent, one of only 26 law schools in the country with 90 to 100 percent retention rates

Taken from:

http://www.abajournal.com/mobile/article/which_law_schools_were_most_likely_to_yank_merit-based_scholarships/

(via Nick Kalagian)

Which law schools were most likely to yank merit-based scholarships?

 

By Debra Cassens Weiss

 

Jul 8, 2013, 05:45 am CDT

 

Back in May of 2011, several law students at Golden Gate law school used the word “bait and switch” to describe the school’s scholarship offers that are conditioned on maintaining B averages.
The New York Times highlighted their plight in a story pointing out that many law schools lure students with merit scholarships that are withdrawn when their grades fall below a minimum standard. Since then, the ABA has collected information about these scholarship programs. It turns out that 22 law schools had worse records for scholarship retention than Golden Gate.

University of St. Thomas law professor Jerry Organ analyzed website statistics for 140 ABA-accredited schools that offered conditional scholarships for entering students in 2011. He published his findings in a paper he cited at the Legal Whiteboard.

The average retention rate for scholarships across these 140 schools was 69 percent, Organ found. Twenty-six law schools had retention rates of 90 percent or better, while eight law schools had retention rates of less than 40 percent.

Among all the accredited law schools with merit-based scholarships, these 25 schools had the worst retention rates for entering students in 2011:

Akron (21%)
St. Mary’s (21%)
Howard (24%)
St. Thomas in Florida (24%)
Texas Wesleyan (28%)
George Mason (32%)
Rutgers-Camden (32%)
Barry (39%)
Florida A&M (40%)
Santa Clara (40%)
Chicago-Kent (42%)
Pacific-McGeorge (42%)
Catholic (43%)
Charlotte (43%)
Arkansas Fayetteville (44%)
Western State University (45%)
UNLV (46%)
Brooklyn (47%)
Chapman (48%)
Hofstra (49%)
Idaho (49%)
Seattle (49%)
Golden Gate (50%)
John Marshall (50%)
Texas Southern (50%)

These schools, on the other hand, had 100 percent retention rates: UCLA, University of Minnesota, Emory, University of Arizona, University of Colorado, Connecticut, Oklahoma, Oregon, Stetson, Vermont, Liberty and South Dakota.

These schools had retention rates at or above 90 percent and below 100 percent: University of Texas, George Washington, Washington and Lee, Georgia, William & Mary, University of Maryland, Ohio State, Baylor, Cardozo, Syracuse, CUNY, William Mitchell, Appalachian and Elon.

ASL Grad Overcomes Adversity to Take Tennessee Bar

Recent Appalachian School of Law (ASL) graduate Brennan Baxter felt she was on the threshold of accomplishing her ambition to be an attorney. She had completed three challenging years at ASL, fulfilled the requirements of the Tennessee Bar Examiners, and applied to the Bar well in advance of the deadline. As she approached the midway point of two and a half months of Bar prep classes, an overlooked email from the Tennessee Bar nearly derailed her plans.

            Her application was considered incomplete because the letters of recommendation she filed were not originals. In order for her to sit for the exam, the Tennessee Board of Bar Examiners required that she submit signed originals by the close of business the following day, less than 24 hours from the time she read the email. Fighting panic and getting a pep talk from her roommate, a fellow ASL alumna, she pulled herself together to solve the problem. One of her references was a judge who lived within an hour’s drive. She contacted him, and her mother was able to bring the signed letter to her.

            The other reference was an attorney in Atlanta, Georgia, too far from Nashville for a round trip in the allotted time. The only other accepted references, besides judges and attorneys under whom she had worked, were law professors. Professor Stewart Harris was in nearby Knoxville teaching a summer class; unfortunately, when Brennan reached his wife, Professor Priscilla Harris, she learned that both were out of town. They did, however, help her by calling colleagues who were in East Tennessee. None were available. Meanwhile, Brennan tried contacting professors who remained in Grundy, Virginia, for the summer. She reached Professor Paula Young via Facebook at 11 p.m.

            She and her roommate drove through the night to find two signed letters in a sealed plastic bag on Professor Young’s porch. They also found popcorn, two apples, two sodas, peanuts, and napkins that had been prepared at 1 a.m. They slept a few hours and then headed to Nashville. At 2:30 in the afternoon, Brennan delivered the letters to Tennessee Bar Examiner’s Office.

            “Despite some of the most stressful 17 hours of my life,” Brennan said, “I realized that I am very lucky to have gone to a school like ASL. I’ve graduated, and the professors still have an interest in my success. Several professors dropped what they were doing during their summer break to help me, and I know that students at other schools would not have had the same luxury. Not only does this make me proud to be an ASL graduate, but also it motivates me to succeed in order to make ASL proud of me.”