Family Law Section

Minutes January 14, 2004

Present:

• Louise Knauer
• Lori Nelson
• Richard Hummel
• Stewart Ralphs
• Susan Bradford

1. No notice of this meeting had been sent out, therefore there was no quorum. The Minutes of the November Executive Committee Meeting were distributed, but they were not voted on or accepted. They will be sent out with the January Minutes, and both sets of Minutes will be reviewed at the next meeting.

2. Stewart Ralphs presented a reduced fee program - Access to Legal Services -which was to be announced at the Fordham Forum on January 15 and 16. Generally, the program would allow attorneys to sign up to provide flat, reduced, fee services for people at 125% to 200% of the poverty guidelines. With respect to family law matters, Legal Aid would be the clearing house, and would provide the referrals, but could not verify incomes. It is possible that Tuesday Night Bar, Legal Services, etc., could also refer clients. This program might replace the Lawyer Referral program, and be free to the attorneys who participate.

3. Stewart informed the group that the Assisted Pro Se project, which was presented to the Executive Committee in November, was in need of attorneys to participate in the program.

The Assisted Pro Se project will provide a training for interested attorneys at the February Friday CLE Seminar on February 27th. The Seminar will be an hour and a half, held at the Legal Aid building at 205 North 400 West.

4. The members who were present discussed the problems with the new child custody rules, requiring the evaluator to provide notice when she has completed her work, and the parties, counsel and the evaluator to meet to attempt to settle the case. There was a general consensus that having the parties learn the decision of the evaluator at the settlement meeting did not create a atmosphere conducive to settlement. It was suggested that Judge Atheron bring the issue before the Standing Committee on March 5th , and have the Commissioners attend, to discuss the issue, and perhaps help to create a process that would be effective in lessening the cost of the evaluations, shortening the time, and reaching an acceptable solution short of trial.

5. Lori Nelson suggested that the Family Law Section should be more active. She specifically suggested that we consider producing a video showing the impact of divorce on children, similar to the one that was shown at the AAML seminar in December.

6. “And Justice for All...” requested a $1,000 sponsorship donation to kick off their annual drive. Louise was asked to talk with Arnold Birrell, and find out how much money the section has.

7. Louise talked with Arnold after the meeting. The Section has approximately $8,500, after paying for the Christmas Party.

8. The Executive Committee was asked to help pay for Scott Peppitt from Colorado as a speaker at the Annual Meeting, by paying $1,000.

9. The meeting was adjourned without any votes being taken.