The October issue of Nevada Lawyer is now online and in mailboxes. This issue's theme - legal research and writing - is relevant to every lawyer in practice.

Legal research and writing are two of the most fundamental skills a good lawyer is expected to master. The October issue of Nevada Lawyer provides some valuable resources and insights for honing these critical skills. Find out why writing is so important, how to improve the quality and persuasiveness of your work, how to effectively research legislative history in Nevada, how to draft strong contracts and even uncover new sources of legal knowledge, both online and in print.

If you've missed an issue, catch up by browsing through our extensive collection of back issues in the Nevada Lawyer archive, including several articles for CLE credit.

Pro Bono Week Starts Monday: Celebrate at a Reception with the State Bar

In observance of the American Bar Association's annual celebration of pro bono service, the Nevada Supreme Court Access to Justice Commission and the State Bar of Nevada invite members of the legal community to attend the Celebrate Pro Bono Reception. The reception will take place on Monday, October 21 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Culinary Academy Events Center at MGM Resorts International, 710 W. Lake Mead, North Las Vegas. Those wishing to attend should RSVP as soon as possible to atj@nvbar.org.

Representatives from the Access to Justice Commission will join legal service providers and pro bono volunteers for this complimentary, casual event kicking off the observance of 2013's National Celebrate Pro Bono Week. The event is open to lawyers, law students and community partners interested in supporting statewide civil pro bono efforts.

For more information, contact the Access to Justice Commission at (702) 382-2200 or atj@nvbar.org. For more information on Pro Bono Week 2013 events in Nevada, visit the state bar's website.

CLE Seminar: Tribal Law 201

The State Bar of Nevada is pleased to present a seminar on the ins and outs of Tribal Law. The three-credit-hour presentation takes place live on November 1, from 9 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at the Northern Nevada Bar center in Reno. For more information and to register, visit the state bar's website.

Attorney Kim Robinson will discuss the foundations of federal Indian law, the tribal courts of Nevada, criminal and civil jurisdictions in Indian country and recent developments in tribal law.

Public Comment Sought on Family Court Hearing Master Candidates

The public is invited to provide written and signed comments regarding candidates for a hearing master position at the Family Court. The public input is part of a three-tiered recruitment process established in an administrative directive for selecting district court hearing masters and commissioners.

Input regarding the final three candidates can be e-mailed to the Eighth Judicial District Human Resources manager's office at EJDCHRManagersOffice@clarkcountycourts.us or mailed to 200 Lewis Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89155. The public comment period ends on October 24.

Soonhee A. Bailey, Yolanda M. Carroll and Amy M. Mastin are finalists who have already been through an application review committee and an oral board panel. All three candidates are attorneys and members of the State Bar of Nevada in good standing.

The selected hearing master will be assigned to the Family Court division, where she will be responsible for hearing matters and rendering legal opinions and decisions in case law in the areas of family and juvenile law. These issues may include matters related to abuse and neglect, delinquency, child support, domestic violence or guardianship.

For more information on the administrative directive that outlines the Hearing Master and Commissioner Selection Procedure for the Eighth Judicial District Court, visit the Clark County Court's website.

Young Lawyers Section Spring Social

The Young Lawyers Section (YLS) of the State Bar of Nevada invites bar members and friends to its YLS Spring Social. The event will take place on Friday, November 8, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Artifice, located downtown at 1025 First Street, #3, Las Vegas. The section will provide attendees with a limited number of drink tickets.

This YLS event is co-sponsored by Anthony Paglia, who recently opened his own firm. Anthony will be on hand to chat with attendees thinking about making a similar move.

Please direct any questions, comments or suggestions for future events to YLS social chair Brian Morris at bam@cohenjohnson.com, or to Sarah Killer at sarahkiller@gmail.com.