Family Law Section

Minutes October 10, 2007

MEETING MINUTES FAMILY LAW SECTION EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
October 10, 2007

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PRESENT: Russ Minas, John Sheaffer, Steve Gunn, Charlotte Meacham, Doug Adair, Al Pranno, Lauren Barros, Judge Larry Jones, Marcie Keck, Judge Doug Thomas, Rob Parrish, Harry Caston, Dena Sarandos, Stewart Ralphs

Guest: Scott Sabey, Bar Commissioner

Approval of Minutes: The minutes from the August 2007 meeting were unanimously approved as drafted.

Bar Policy On Section Lobbying: Scott Sabey clarified the Bar’s policy on a section taking a position on legislation. The entire section must be polled for a vote, but the section can take a position if supported by 60% of those who respond to the polling, not 60% of the entire section. When showed a copy the current policy we received last month, he acknowledged the language did not conform to the intent, and that he would see to it that the language was corrected. We still must get permission from the Bar Commission to take a public position. The bar is very concerned about a section taking a position contrary to the bar or another section. The bar has no problem with the section working with legislators in drafting legislation without prior commission approval. The section will be using email and/or the family law web site to poll membership during the legislative session.

Funding Requests: Stewart put in a request for $3000.00 for And Justice For All. He then spoke about the Southern Utah Bar Association Community Center and its likely request for funding, since Adam was not present. The issues of scholarship funding and funding for the divorce education for children program were also discussed. All funding requests were tabled until the next meeting.

EC Membership: Judge Hilder has resigned due to his commitments as presiding judge of the Third District Court. A motion to thank Judge Hilder for his service passed unanimously. Judge Thomas will remain an at-large member and John Sheaffer will contact Judge Hilder to solicit a new judicial nomination to take his place.

Spring Convention: Charlotte reported that our section will fill one breakout and on NLCLE session for the Spring Convention. She is looking for ideas. One thought was using a local St. George attorney as the NLCLE presenter. Judge Jones thought that Val Hale’s presentation on child preferences was a hit at the AAML retreat and that it would also be good for the bar membership as a whole to hear the presentation. The issue of honoraria for travel expenses was also discussed. Rick Hummel will be attending the next Spring Convention committee meeting.

Christmas Social: Russ informed the EC that Rebecca Long has offered to host the Xmas Social this year. Sentiment was expressed to keep the event downtown because it is immediataly after work on a weekday and there was fear that attendance would suffer if moved to the south valley. Judge Jones reminded the EC that the section never puts on events outside of Salt Lake City and that we should rethink the notion that all events need to be at the Bar or in Salt Lake City. It appears that due to time the event will remain in downtown Salt Lake City this year with cognizance of hosting events in outlying areas in the future.

Governmental Relations: Stewart briefly reported on the governmental relations issues. The parent time for person other than a parent bill is moving forward. Judge Jones suggested that we ought to pay someone to do the membership soliciting and vote gathering during the legislative session. The EC voted unanimously for the following policy.

1. Stewart will send to the membership any proposed legislation for comment, with a deadline for comments.
2. The EC will then take its position.
3. Stewart will then send to the membership the legislation with the EC recommendations, requesting a vote, with a deadline.
4. If the section takes a position based upon the response, Stewart will then approach the Bar’s Governmental Relations Committee for permission to take the section position public.

Luncheon Seminars: The October and November luncheon dates are filled.Doug Adair reports that Steve Gunn will give a presentation on October 26 and that the November 30 seminar will be about children’s attachment issues. Discussed other ideas for upcoming seminars.

Section Website: Russ keeping updated email to membership. Solicited comments for blog.

Fall Forum: Will be covered by Russ Minas and Doug Adair.

Scholarships: Scholarship Committee will come to next meeting with proposals.

Next meeting: October 10, 2007.