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OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS August 27, 2008
A regular meeting of the Board of Governors of the State Bar of Nevada was convened on August 27, 2008 at Sharkey’s Casino in Gardnerville, NV at 9:00 a.m.
The following members were in attendance: Bruce Beesley, President Kathleen England, President Elect Cam Ferenbach, Vice President Nancy Allf, Immediate Past President Connie Akridge James Bradshaw Larry Digesti Frank Flaherty Dara Goldsmith Alan Lefebvre Bryan Scott John White Robert Witek
By Phone: Gregg Kamer Bridget Robb Peck
State Bar Staff Present: Rob Bare David Clark Kimberly Farmer Marc Mersol Gale Skala
Guests: Laura Granier Katie Hampton from Houldsworth Russo and Co. via teleconference Coe Swobe
1. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by President Bruce Beesley at 9:12 am and a quorum was present.
2. CONSENT ITEMS
The following Consent Agenda items were accepted or approved unanimously by the Board of Governors.
Approval of Minutes of June 18, 2008 It was moved, seconded and carried to approve the minutes of June 18, 2008.
Finance Report
Admissions Report
Report of Fee Dispute Committee/ Clients’ Security Fund It was moved, seconded and approved to appoint Terry McConnell to the Clients’ Security Fund committee for a three year term effective August 2008.
It was moved, seconded and approved to appoint the following volunteers’ to the Fee Dispute Committee for a three year term effective August 2008:
It was moved, seconded and approved to reappoint the following committee members to the Fee Dispute Committee for another term effective as shown:
It was moved, seconded and approved to appoint Todd Kennedy as the Las Vegas Panel A Regional Chair for a one year term effective August 2008.
Publications Report It was moved, seconded and approved to approve the proposal to modify the advertising rates of the Nevada Lawyer magazine effective January 2009.
It was moved, seconded and approved to appoint Michael Saunders to the Editorial Board effective September 2008 for a three year term.
Access to Justice Commission Report
3. FEE DISPUTE REPORT
Dara Goldsmith requested that the State Bar of Nevada recognize Rena Hughes and CiCi Cunningham for their longtime service to the Fee Dispute committee. It was moved, seconded and approved to recognize them by giving each a plaque.
It was moved, seconded and approved to write Mr. Edward Coleman a letter requesting additional information on why he resigned from the California Bar. Mr. Coleman will be sent a new application form along with the letter.
4. CLE REPORT
The Board held an Executive Session for a portion of the CLE report.
Kathy England reported on activities of the CLE Committee. A major goal of the committee is to improve the availability of alternative delivery services.
Ms. England reviewed the requirements to be a member of the CLE committee and noted that the lifetime term limit for members of the committee is nine years according to the Supreme Court Order.
Kathy England gave an update on the Bridge the Gap survey. The results of the survey are due November 1, 2008. Bruce Beesley appointed a committee, Kathy England, Gregg Kamer and Bob Witek to work with the CLE Committee in designing the Bridge the Gap program once the survey results are completed.
5. AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
Katie Hampton of Houldsworth Russo and Co. was available via teleconference to address any questions on the annual audit report. Dara Goldsmith reported the auditors verified all the State Bar bank accounts.
It was moved, seconded and approved to approve the 2007 Annual Audit report for the State Bar of Nevada and the Nevada Bar Foundation.
6. YOUNG LAWYERS SECTION
Laura Granier reported on the various programs of the Young Lawyers Section and their status. It was moved, seconded and approved to appoint Kendelee Leascher Works to the Executive Committee of the Young Lawyers Section.
7. LAWYERS CONCERNED FOR LAWYERS
Coe Swobe reported on the various programs that are offered by the Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers (LCL). Mr. Swobe is planning on touring the rural counties this fall to educate the rural Judges on what is offered by LCL.
8. LAWYER REPRESENTATIVE US DISTRICT COURT
It was moved, seconded and approved to appoint Beau Sterling and Robert Gower as lawyer representatives to the United States District Court for the District of Nevada, Southern Division for a three year term effective August 2008.
It was moved, seconded and approved to appoint Paul Georgeson as the lawyer representative to the United States District Court for the District of Nevada, Northern Division for a three year term effective August 1008.
9. FINANCE COMMITTEE – CAM FERENBACH
Cam Ferenbach reported on the 2008 revised operating budget. It was moved, seconded and approved to approve the 2008 revised operating budget.
Kimberly Farmer addressed the renovation of the front lobby of the Las Vegas office of the State Bar. The costs for this renovation are shown in the revised 2008 operating budget. The renovation of the lobby is intended to make the LV office more secure and also better equipped to host visitors.
10. COMMITTEE REPORTS
Member Services Kimberly Farmer provided an overview of the legal research member benefit business plan as presented. It was moved, seconded and approved to issue a survey to our members regarding legal research as a potential member benefit.
Ms. Farmer then reviewed the business plan for online remote backup systems (CoreVault). This member benefit would provide a benefit that will allow members to enhance their current method of backup up files remotely at a negotiated discount of 25 – 30% off retail. It was moved, seconded and approved to offer CoreVault as a benefit to our members.
Diversity Committee It was moved, seconded and approved to partnership with William S. Boyd School of Law to develop a pilot program titled “Professional Development Clerkship Program.”
11. REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT ELECT
Kathy England reported that she would like to have the 2010 Annual Convention in Monterey, CA. Kimberly Farmer and Kathy England will research hotels in Monterey for the convention.
12. REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT
Bruce Beesley gave highlights of the Officers meeting with the Supreme Court. The Court would like the State Bar to support the modified Missouri plan and the Appellate Court in the 2009 legislature session. Regarding interest on IOLTA accounts, the Access to Justice Commission have contacted banks with three banks willing to pay a higher interest rate on IOLTA accounts. The State Bar will report that information to the members. Additionally there was a discussion on the status of improving the Bridge the Gap program.
Bruce Beesley reported on the Nevada Law Foundation. Mr. Beesley reported that while the Foundation has been slow to work on the action plan that had been presented by the State Bar earlier this year, it is his understanding that the Foundation plans to schedule a strategic planning meeting in the near future.
13. REPORT OF DEPUTY BAR COUNSEL – DAVID CLARK
David Clark reported on the status of the Rate Search investigation. Mr. Clark also gave a status report on the Lawyer Advertising Committee. He noted that his department is presently working on the Lawyer Advertising annual report that is due by year end.
14. REPORT OF BAR COUNSEL – ROB BARE
Rob Bare provided highlights on the discipline statistics prepared by the Office of Bar Counsel.
It was moved, seconded and approved to appoint Julien Sourwine as Vice Chair of the Northern Nevada Disciplinary Board for a one year term effective August 31, 2008.
It was moved, seconded and approved to appoint Moreen Scully to the Northern Nevada Disciplinary Board effective August 2008.
It was moved, seconded and approved to reappoint Scott Smith as an attorney member to the Southern Nevada Disciplinary Board for a three year term effective August 2008.
It was moved, seconded and approved to reappoint Diane Fearon as a non attorney member to the Southern Nevada Disciplinary Board for a three year term effective August 2008.
It was moved, seconded and approved to reappoint the following attorneys to the Northern Disciplinary Board for a three year term effective August 2008. Scott Freeman Stephen Osborne J. Thomas Susich
It was moved, seconded and approved to accept the resignation of Kenneth Strauss.
15. REPORT OF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR – KIMBERLY FARMER
Kimberly Farmer provided highlights of her report on the Commercial Crime Insurance policy. Ms. Farmer will have a complete overview of the coverage to present to the Board at the October 2008 meeting.
It was moved, seconded and approved to approve the order of suspension for those members who have not paid their 2008 dues.
Ms. Farmer reported that member discipline now appears online in the attorney search section of the website. Ms. Farmer also reported the findings of the building appraisal of the Las Vegas office.
ADJOURNMENT There being no new business before the Board the meeting was adjourned at 3:15 p.m.
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