NHWBA Returns to New Horizons Food Pantry 

to Pack and Deliver Holiday Food Baskets

On December 17th, several members of the NHWBA and their families helped pack and deliver holiday dinner baskets for distribution to needy families in the greater Manchester area.  It is our hope that the efforts of some of our members will help to brighten the holidays of the less fortunate in our area.  Thanks to those who helped on the 17th.   

Some of the NHWBA volunteers who helped pack hundreds of holiday dinner baskets, including board members (L-R) Christina Ferrari, Charla Stevens, Sabrina Beavens and Cathy McKay.

NHWBA Still Seeking Mentors for 

Protégé Program with UNH School of Law    

Would you like to be a mentor to a UNH School of Law student?  Here's your chance to share your wisdom and experience with future bar members.  Let them see first hand what you do on a daily basis and share your insights into the practice of law.  Click here to view the application for this exciting new program. 

We are also organizing a mentorship subcommittee to help facilitate this program.  If you are interested in joining the subcommittee or are interested in becoming a mentor, please e-mail our Executive Director, Gretchen Pyles, at Gretchen@nhwba.org. 

Charla Bizios Stevens Appointed Director of the

Human Resources State Council of New Hampshire

Longtime board member of the NHWBA, Charla Bizios Stevens, was recently appointed Director of the Human Resources State Council of New Hampshire.  The HR State Council of New Hampshire is an affiliate of the Society for Human Resource Management, and is a local starting point for networking, information, professional development and continued support of excellence in the Human Resource field.  Charla is a director in the litigation department of McLane, Graf, Raulerson & Middleton, P.A.  The NHWBA congratulates Charla on this impressive and well-deserved appointment. 

Judges Needed for the 

Northeast Regional Tournament of the 

American Mock Trial Association

The Northeast Regional Tournament of the American Mock Trial Association will be held on Friday, February 17, 2012 through Sunday, February 19, 2012 at Saint Anselm College.  It will feature 24 teams from schools in the New England and Mid-Atlantic states, including Harvard, Northeastern and Saint Anselm College.  The tournament is looking for 144 judges (3 judges in 12 trials in all four rounds).  This year's tournament features a murder case.  No advance preparation is necessary and the total time commitment is 3 to 3.5 hours per round.  Judges are welcome to register for more than one round.  Judges' meetings will be held at the following times:

Round 1 - Friday, February 17, 2012 at 6:00 p.m.

Round 2 - Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 8:30 a.m.

Round 3 - Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 2:00 p.m.

Round 4 - Sunday, February 19, 2012 at 8:30 a.m.

To learn more about the tournament or to volunteer to be a judge, go to www.anselm.edu/mocktrial. 

Nominations Sought for 

NH Bar Association Awards

The New Hampshire Bar Association is seeking nominations for three prestigious awards to be presented at the Mid-Year Meeting on March 7, 2012.  The NHWBA encourages you to nominate your deserving colleagues for the following honors:

Vickie M. Bunnell Award for Community Service - Instituted in 1998 to honor the memory of Vickie M. Bunnell, "A Country Lawyer," and to applaud the community spirit that is a hallmark of our profession, this award is presented to an attorney from a small firm (four or fewer attorneys) who has exhibited dedication and devotion to community by giving of his/her time and talents, legal or otherwise.

Distinguished Service to the Public Award - This award is presented to the nominee who best exhibits service to the public on behalf of the administration of justice.

Outstanding Service in the Public Sector/Public Interest Law Award - This award is presented to a member of the New Hampshire Bar, or an organization employing eligible members, who, at the time of the nomination, has at least five years of service, up to and including the time of the nomination, in government service, military service, law enforcement, public interest law services (including prosecution, public defense, legal advocacy in low-income communities or for individuals with disabilities at a nonprofit organization), or at an organization that is described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from taxation under section 501(a) of such Code.

To make a nomination for the Vickie M. Bunnell Award for Community Service or the Distinguished Service to the Public Award, send a letter stating why the nominee should receive the award to:  Denice DeStefano, NHBA Mid-year Meeting Award Nominations, 2 Pillsbury Street, Suite 300, Concord, NH  03301.  To nominate someone for the Outstanding Service in the Public Sector/Public Interest Law Award, please complete this form. The deadline for nominations for these awards is January 20, 2012. 

New Hampshire Business Review 

Accepting Nominations for the 

2012 Outstanding Women in Business Awards

Each year, New Hampshire Business Review presents the Outstanding Women in Business Awards to celebrate the success and achievements of women in New Hampshire's business community.  Nominations for the 2012 Outstanding Women in Business Awards are now being accepted through January 6, 2012.  To learn more, click here. 

Miss New Hampshire Promotes

Anti-Bullying Platform in her

Campaign for the Miss America Crown

The NHWBA supports the Miss New Hampshire Scholarship Program and members of the Miss New Hampshire Scholarship Program have been actively involved with NHWBA volunteer efforts this year.  The current Miss New Hampshire, Regan Hartley, volunteered with the NHWBA in November at New Horizons Food Pantry in Manchester.  She helped us pack Thanksgiving Food Baskets for distribution to needy families. Regan is competing now for the Miss America Scholarship Program and her story is fascinating.  As a former victim of childhood bullying, Regan has become an advocate and spokesperson for the anti-bullying movement in New Hampshire, and helped pass a law last year, which requires schools to address cyberbullying.  She will be competing for the Miss America title on ABC on January 14, 2012.  To vote for Regan in the America's Choice poll and assist Miss New Hampshire in getting to the final stage of the competition, visit www.missamerica.org.  To learn more about her fascinating story and anti-bullying campaign, click here.  We wish Regan the best of luck with this scholarship competition and in the future as she moves forward with her career.  

Check out Perspectives, the Quarterly Magazine 

for and about Women Lawyers from

the ABA Commission on Women in the Profession

Did you know that your ABA membership entitles you to receive a quarterly magazine, Perspectives?  This magazine discusses issues of interest to women lawyers including topics such as the work/life balance and the glass ceiling.  It also provides practical advice for practitioners.  To receive the publication, just log onto the ABA website and select "Women's Rights" as one of your areas of interest.

Boston College Center for Work & Family

Creates Executive Education Program to 

Assist Organizations in Developing 

Stronger Intergenerational Relationships

The Boston College Center for Work & Family has teamed up with Lauren Stiller Rikleen, founder of Rikleen Institute for Strategic Leadership and author of Ending the Gauntlet:  Removing Barriers to Women's Success in the Law, to address generational issues in the workplace.  This collaboration has resulted in a webinar and an Executive Briefing Series entitled Creating Tomorrow's Leaders.  An Executive Education program was also created to help organizations develop stronger intergenerational relationships.  To learn more about this program, click here.  To learn more about Attorney Rikleen and her organization, visit her website at www.rikleeninstitute.com. 

Save the dates:  March 30, 2012 - April 1, 2012  NHWBA's 10th Annual Work Stress Relief Clinic

the inviting Inns & Spa at Mill Falls in Meredith, NH.  Prepare to pamper yourself while networking with fellow NHWBA members. NHWBA members receive a 15% discount on the spa services of your choice!

The registration deadline is February 27, 2012 and space is limited.  For more information on registering, please contact Gretchen Pyles.  Spa services may be scheduled directly with the Cascade Spa at (866) 719-0161.  Be sure to mention your NHWBA membership when you make your reservations to receive the 15% discount on services.