MINUTES OF THE MEETING

OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS

January 24, 2008

 

 

A regular meeting of the Board of Governors of the State Bar of Nevada was convened on January 24, 2008 at the Law Library of the Supreme Court in Carson City, NV at 9: 15 a.m.

 

The following members were in attendance:

Nancy Allf, President

Bruce Beesley, President-Elect

Kathleen England, Vice President

Connie Akridge

James Bradshaw

Larry Digesti

Cam Ferenbach
Francis Flaherty

Gregg Kamer

Bryan Scott

John White

Robert Witek

Jeremy Reichenberg

 

 

State Bar Staff Present:

Rob Bare

Christopher Boadt

David Clark

Patrice Eichman

Kimberly Farmer

Marc Mersol

Gale Skala

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.         CALL TO ORDER

 

The meeting was called to order by President Nancy Allf at 9:15 a.m. and a quorum was declared.

 

2.         CONSENT ITEMS

 

The following Consent Agenda items were accepted or approved unanimously by the Board of Governors, as follows:

 

Approval of Minutes of December 19, 2007

 

Report of Director of Admissions

 

Report of Director of Operations and Education

 

Report of Director of Finance

 

Report of Fee Dispute Committee/Clients’ Security Fund

 

It was moved, seconded and approved to reappoint the following members to an additional three –year term on the Fee Dispute Committee commencing January 2008.

Robert Gerard                            Las Vegas Panel B

Halina Jones                              Las Vegas Panel B

Archie McRimmon Jr.                 Las Vegas Panel B

 

It was moved, seconded and approved to appoint James Copenhaver to the rural panel for a three-year term on the Fee Dispute committee commencing January 2008. 

 

Report of the Young Lawyer’s Section (YLS)

 

Jeremy Reichenberg was present and shared the YLS report.  Jeremy discussed speakers and events schedule for the Midyear meeting.  The Midyear meeting is scheduled for February 23 at the UNLV Boyd School of Law from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm.  Connie Akridge suggested contacting the local County Bars to get a list of people who should be invited to the Midyear meeting.   Kathy England emphasized how important she believes it is to have a member of the YLS on various committees, i.e. CLE committee.  Jeremy Reichenberg thought it would be important to put information about the YLS and also for the YLS on the State Bar website.

 

 

3.         COMMITTEE REPORTS

 

Midyear Meeting

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Bruce Beesley shared the highlights and schedule for the Midyear meeting.  Kathy England will contact Shelly Berkeley to inquire about her availability to speak at the meeting.

 

Nevada Lawyer

 

Connie Akridge shared with the Board an advertisement issue with the Nevada Lawyer; and her concern that the Nevada Lawyer editorial committee reviewing ads. Kathy England agreed that it is important to separate the editorial review from the advertisement policy. Bruce Beesley would like the Board to investigate what the policy is for the Editorial Board.  Kimberly Farmer reminded the Board that we are in the process of hiring a publications manager and that the manager could review all Nevada Lawyer polices. Bruce Beesley requested that Chris Boadt send the present Editorial policy to the Board members. 

 

 

Bylaws

 

Cam Ferenbach shared the status of the work on the committee. The committee’s goal is to develop a document of policies and use the bylaws for the Supreme Court Rules.

 

Compensation Committee

 

Gregg Kamer provided a review of the State Bar’s employment manual and conducted a spot check of staff employment files. Mr. Kamer suggests that a few minor changes will need to be made in the employee handbook but overall the employee handbook is a good document and employee files are handled appropriately.

 

Investment Committee

 

Connie Akridge indicated that the committee plans to explore the best solution for long term investments using a wealth manager. It was moved, seconded and approved to charge the Executive Committee with approving Investment Committee recommendations for a wealth manager. A subsequent email will then be sent to the Board for a final vote

 

4.         REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT

 

Rate Search

 

David Clark gave a status report on the Rate Search investigation.

 

Board Liaison to the Supreme Court Study Committee on Indigent Defense

 

It was moved, seconded and approved to appoint Larry Digesti to the Supreme Court Study Committee on Indigent Defense. 

 

Pro Bono Assessment

 

Ms. Allf indicated that Justice Hardesty has asked the Board to consider a mandatory assessment to our members of $100 to be given to legal services agencies for pro bono services. Bruce Beesley explained Justice Hardesty’s rational behind the request.  After discussion, the Board took no action.

 

Amicus Brief by ACLU

 

The Board discussed the ACLU request to sign on to the ACLU Amicus Brief appealing several juveniles transfer for prosecution to criminal court. Because of the short time to review and respond to this matter the Board took no action.

 

2008 Annual Meeting

 

Nancy Allf gave highlights of the 2008 annual meeting in Santa Barbara. It was moved, seconded and approved to have a $10,000 budget for a retirement celebration for Justice William Maupin at the annual meeting with the event chaired by Kathy England. 

 

Emeritus Attorney ADKT

 

Rob Bare discussed the highlights of the proposed Emeritus Attorney Program ADKT petition that the Access to Justice Commission would like the State Bar to submit. The Access to Justice Commission plans to discuss the ADKT at their February 1, 2008 meeting. The final draft will be presented to the Board at their March meeting for approval. Patrice Eichman suggested that a copy of the ADKT be given to the Board of Bar Examiners. 

 

 

5.         REPORT OF PRESIDENT ELECT

 

Bruce Beesley discussed the recent meeting with the Nevada Law Foundation (NLF) chair and executive director. The goal of the Board is to see the NLF accomplish the steps in the action plan to maximize IOLTA funds.

 

6.         REPORT OF DEPUTY BAR COUNSEL/GENERAL COUNSEL

 

David Clark discussed highlights of the general counsel report. It was moved, seconded and approved to approve the proposed ADKT that amends SCR 81. This petition would set the distribution of the Board of Govenors as it currently stands; and removes the requirement to reallocate the Board distribution based on population every four years.    

 

7.         REPORT OF BAR COUNSEL

 

Rob Bare covered the highlights of the report of Bar Counsel. 

 

It was moved, seconded and approved to reappoint Bernard Zadrowski as Vice Chair commencing February 1, 2008 through January 31, 2009.

 

It was moved, seconded and approved to reappoint the following attorneys and non-attorneys to the Southern Disciplinary Board for a three year term commencing January 31 2008.

 

Gary Branton

Shelley Krohn

Aurora Maskall

Erin Beesley

Hugh Conwell

Michelle Gex

Susan Krenzien

John Sullivan

 

It was moved, seconded and approved to appoint Bryan Cox to the Southern Disciplinary Board for a three year term commencing January 31,2008.

 

It was moved, seconded and approved to accept the resignations of the following attorneys. 

 

William Zeigler

Elizabeth Wachsman

Jane Steckbeck

 

8.         REPORT OF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

 

Kimberly Farmer discussed the highlights of her report including highlights of the Lawyer Referral System and Information Service (LRIS) Committee. The LRIS Committee approved a partnership program to offer member of the Clark County Bar Association a member benefit where CCBA members pay no general membership fee ($50) to be on the LRIS.  The partnership agreement is listed in her report. It was moved, seconded and approved to approve the LRIS partnership between the State Bar and Clark County Bar.

 

Ms. Farmer reviewed the qualifications for the available positions at the State Bar.

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business before the Board the meeting was adjourned at 12:30 p.m.