Bar News - January 5, 2001
Bar Unveils Improved, Redesigned Web Site
THE WEB SITE of the New Hampshire Bar Association, www.nhbar.org, has been redesigned, with many added features to more efficiently provide information and services to Bar members and the public.
Improved aspects of the Web site include:
- The Home page has been simplified to provide more information on key legal news and highlights of upcoming Bar Association events for members and the public, as well as reminders of key member services. You can return to the Home Page from anywhere on the site by clicking on the Bar logo at the top of any page.
- The For Members portion of the Web site has a searchable member directory. Currently a members-only feature, the directory provides up-to-date listings of all members of the Bar, including address, phone, fax, e-mail and basic information such as member status and year of Bar admission. Click on For Members for directions on how to access this area. You can also send change of address information using an online form, as well as find out about a variety of services offered by the Bar to members. An example of a service provided by the Bar is the online publication of the 2000 NH Bar Law Office Economics Survey, sponsored by the Law Practice Management Section. (The report is available now on the Web site as a PDF document.)
- Looking for a job? Preview classified ads from Bar News under Publications several days before the issue date. Selected Bar News articles will be uploaded prior to publication, so check this area for new developments.
- Meetings & Events provides a comprehensive calendar of events, including CLEs and section and committee meetings. The listings also are linked to a complete list of directions to meeting sites.
- NH Practice Guidelines features important information used by lawyers and members of the public, including the latest versions of the Child Support Guidelines, Title Examination Standards, Model Fee Agreements and a complete list of NHBA Ethics Committee Opinions and Practical Ethics articles. (Eventually, text of all opinions and articles will be available on the site.)
- The site also fulfills a number of public information purposes. Need a Lawyer? offers options for contacting the Lawyer Referral Service for a brief legal consultation on any legal matter, and information on how to obtain civil legal services if you believe you cannot afford a lawyer. For the Public has general information pamphlets on many areas of the law, archives of recent Question of Law columns and information on services such as LawLine. There's also a list of useful links to courts and local and national sources of legal information.
- Up to date information on NHBA CLE programs. Click on the Continuing Legal Education navigation button for listings of upcoming as well as past programs. From the program listing you can link to an online registration form which, with a credit card payment, will be sent via e-mail to the Bar's CLE registrar. Browse the CLE product catalog for videos or tapes, suggest a program topic or check on NHMCLE requirements. You can even find and print out directions to all locations for CLE programs or Bar meetings or link to a site that provides maps.
Those attorneys or educators involved in Law Related Education programs such as the Mock Trial Competition or "A Lawyer and Judge in Every School" can turn to the Law Related Education portion in the For the Public area of the Web site to find a host of resources.
Computer requirements
The site is best viewed with versions 4.0 or newer of Microsoft Explorer or Netscape Navigator. The site currently has a minimum of graphics, emphasizing instead broad compatibility, depth of content and ease of use. The site provides directions on how to obtain free downloading software, Adobe Acrobat Reader, to download PDF documents.
The Bar's Tech 2000 Task Force will be reviewing the site with an eye toward future enhancements, the integration of the Web site into the Bar's operations to improve communications with members and save on clerical and postage costs, and the development of revenue sources, including advertising or linking agreements.
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