TODAY, Nov. 17, 14th Annual Cervantes Society Awards Ceremony, 6 p.m. Keynote speaker: Presiding Justice Luis Gonzalez, Appellate Division, First Department. Honorees: Deputy Chief Administrative Judge Fern Fisher, New York City Courts; Joanne D. Quiñones, president, Brooklyn Women's Bar Association; Christian Velez, Brooklyn Technical High School (Luis Gonzalez Youth Award); Tiffani Ada Milan, St. John's University (Gilberto Ramirez Scholarship Award). Reception to follow, with refreshments and music by Rico Vibes. Free and open to all. Held at New York County Supreme Court, 60 Centre St. For information, contact Luz G. Bryan: (347) 225-7498; Evelyn Stewart (917) 923-6716; Elix Madera-Fleigelman: (718) 618-1267; Luis Carrero (917) 626-7057 or Lefty Rivera: (917) 776-5365; or www.cervantessociety.org.

TODAY, Nov. 17, CLE: Negotiating with Lenders & Obtaining Loan Modifications, 6-8 p.m. Speakers: Jennifer Sinton, Sarah L. Manaugh and Erica Jo Gilles, all of the South Brooklyn Legal Services Foreclosure Prevention Proj-ect. Approved for (2) CLE credits: (1) toward Skills and (1) toward Professional Practice. Free for those who volunteer for the Volunteer Lawyers Project. Held at Brooklyn Bar Association, 123 Remsen St. For more information or to register, contact VLP: 718-624-3894 x4.

TODAY, Nov. 17, CLE: Legal Implications of Social Networking, 12-2 p.m. Speakers: Attorneys Steven C. Bennett and Andrea K. Stimmel. Teleconference/Webinar. Approved for (2) CLE credits: (1) toward Ethics, (1) Professional Practice. For information or to register, contact the New York State Bar Association: www.nysba.org/2009NovemberTwittering.

Thurs. Nov. 19, CLE: Civil Rights Law for the Criminal Practitioner, 6-8 p.m.; Dinner: 5:15 p.m. Speakers: Attorneys Andrew B. Stoll, Michael O. Hueston and Charles M. Guria. Sponsored by the Kings County Criminal Bar Association. Approved for (2) CLE credits toward Professional Practice. Held at the Brooklyn Bar Association, 123 Remsen St. For information or to register, contact the KCCBA: www.kccba.org.

Thurs. Nov. 19, CLE: Computer Legal Research Training, 8-9 a.m. Speakers: Jacqueline Cantwell and Brenda Pantell, senior law librarians, Brooklyn Supreme Court. Approved for (1) CLE credit toward Skills. Held at the Brooklyn Supreme Court Law Library. For information or to register, contact the Brooklyn Bar Association: (718) 624-0675 or www.brooklynbar.org.

Thurs. Nov. 19, CLE: Criminal Law, 6-8 p.m.; Dinner: 5:15 p.m. Sponsored by the Kings County Criminal Bar Association. Approved for (2) CLE credits. Held at the Brooklyn Bar Association, 123 Remsen St. For information or to register, visit the KCCBA web site: www.kccba.org.

Nov. 24, Free Presentation: Identity Theft, Scams, Insurance Fraud, 7:30 p.m. Speaker: Jeff Ferguson, bureau chief, Brooklyn District Attorney's Office, Rackets Division. Thanksgiving refreshments will be served. Held at the 78th Police Precinct, 65 6th Avenue, Brooklyn. For information, contact Police Officer Jerry Gelante: (718) 636-6410; Saadia Adossa, Brooklyn District Attorney's Office: (718) 250-3370; or http://www.brooklyncb6.org/announcements/#18.

Thurs. Nov. 26, Thanksgiving Holiday Observed — State and federal courts will be closed in observance of the national holiday. The Brooklyn Bar Association will be closed on Thursday and Friday, Nov. 26-27.

Tues. Dec. 1, Deadline for Millman's Holiday Food Drive Drive to benefit domestic violence victims and their families served by the Brooklyn Family Justice Center. Sponsored by state Assemblywoman Joan Millman and Brooklyn District Attorney Charles Hynes. Suggested items: canned fruits and vegetables, powdered drinks and milk, juice boxes, peanut butter and jelly, crackers, cookies, snacks, baby food and formula, diapers, baby wipes, shampoo and soap. Donations may be brought to Assemblywoman Millman's office at 341 Smith St.

Wed. Dec. 2, Cocktail Party for Recent BLS Graduates, 7-9 p.m. Held at Croton Reservoir Tavern, 108 West 40th St., Manhattan. For information or to RSVP, contact Brooklyn Law School: www.brooklaw.edu.

Sat. Dec. 5, CLE: Criminal Law, Procedure & Evidence, 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Approved for (6) CLE credits: (4) toward Professional Practice; (2) toward Ethics. Held at Brooklyn Law School, Moot Court Room, 7th Floor, 250 Joralemon St. For information or to RSVP, contact Brooklyn Law School: www.brooklaw.edu.

Mon. Dec. 7, Brooklyn Bar Association's Annual Dinner, Reception, 6 p.m.; Dinner, 7:30 p.m. Honoring Justice Allen Hurkin Torres, Brooklyn Supreme Court; Manuel A. Romero, Esq., past president, Brooklyn Bar Association and state Senator John Sampson, chairman of the New York State Senate Judiciary Committee. Recognizing the retirement of Justice James G. Starkey, Brooklyn Supreme Court. Presenting an honorary membership to Chief Judge Jonathan Lippman. Black tie. Held at the New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge Hotel, 333 Adams St. For information or reservations, contact the BBA: www.brooklynbar.org.

Thurs. Dec. 10, CLE: Starting a Solo or Small Firm, 12-2 p.m. Speakers: Attorneys Michael Rakower and Ari Kaplan. Webcast/Webconference. Approved for (2) CLE credits. For information or to register, contact the New York State Bar Association: www.nysba.org/December10thWebcast.

Tues. Dec. 15, BWBA Holiday Party & Silent Auction, 6-8 p.m. Brooklyn Women's Bar Association celebrates the holidays. Silent auction proceeds to benefit the Safe Homes Project, which offers shelter, advocacy and other services to domestic violence victims and their children. Bring a new, unwrapped toy to be distributed by the Safe Homes Project. Held at the Brooklyn Bar Association, 123 Remsen St. For information, contact Joanne D. Quiñones, president, Brooklyn Women's Bar Association: (646)386-5697; or jdqesq@aol.com.

Thurs. Dec. 17, Amicus Curiae Columbian Association's Annual Christmas Celebration, 6 p.m. Join the Amicus Curiae Columbian Association for a Christmas celebration at Gennaro's, 6602 13th Ave., Brooklyn. Tickets are $65 per person. For more information, contact Amicus Curiae President Connie Bajohr at (347)296-1542.

Fri. Dec. 25, Christmas Holiday Observed — State and federal courts will be closed in observance of the national holiday.

Sat. Feb. 6, KCCBA 2010 Annual Dinner Dance, Cocktails, 6 p.m.; Dinner, 7 p.m. Honoring Brooklyn Justices Sheryl L. Parker and John P. Walsh; Roger Bennett Adler, Esq.; Brooklyn Executive Assistant District Attorney Nancy E. Laxer and Senior Court Clerk Mary Skinnon. Black Tie Optional. Held at Russo's On The Bay, 162-45 Cross Bay Boulevard , Howard Beach. For information or reservations, contact the Kings County Criminal Bar Association: www.kccba.org.

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