HAWAII STATE BAR ASSOCIATION

BOARD MEETING

1132 Bishop Street, Suite 906

Honolulu , HI  96813

Thursday, October 25, 2007, 11:30 a.m.

 
 

1.                   CALL TO ORDER

 

President Jeffrey Portnoy called the meeting to order at 11:37 a.m. with a quorum present.  The following persons were present for all or part of the meeting:

 

2.         A PPROVAL OF MINUTES – Minutes of the September board meeting were approved by consensus. 

 

3.         TREASURER’S REPORT – Treasurer Robert Godbey reported that HSBA is on track with the 2007 budget, however, the large projects/expenditures are still coming up (bar convention, annual dinner).  See financial statements.

 

4.         COMMITTEE/REPRESENTATIVE REPORTS

 

a.   Rule 17 Committee – the Committee continues to meet.

 

b.   Strategic Planning Committee –  awaiting written report from facilitators.

 

c.   Japan Delegation – meetings/presentation in Tokyo went very well.

 

d.   Hawaii Idle Lawyers Dinner - President Portnoy urged all board members to attend and sell tickets.  Sold 27 tables; target is 40+ tables.

 

e.   Kona Courthouse Committee – FYI only (see agenda).

 

f.    Liaison Committee with Disciplinary Board – first meeting on November 7^th.

 

g.   Lease Premises – FYI only (see agenda).

5.         EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT – Executive Director Lyn Flanigan encouraged board members to check out the RSS feeds and other features on the redesigned HSBA website; to attend the bar convention tomorrow; and to watch for legal research engine CASEMAKER when it launches on November 1^st.  See written report for other HSBA activities. 

 

6.         UNFINISHED BUSINESS

 

a.   Practice of Law Definition  ( see agenda item 6.a. and Exhibit B)

 

b.   Supreme Court Amends Rule 17(d)  ( see agenda item 6.b. and Exhibit C) - due to this amendment, Ms. Flanigan reported that that the attorney renewal form is being revised to include a report of pro bono hours and disclosure of professional liability insurance.

 

c.   Report on ABA Annual House of Delegates Meeting – HSBA/ABA Delegate James Kawachika reported on three recommendations that may be of interest to HSBA:  1) New York State Bar Association recommended that law firm age-based policies be discontinued; 2) Senior Lawyers Division urged lawyers to establish contingency plans in the event that a partner dies, disappears, or is incapacitated; 3) Bar Association of D.C. recommended that U.S. Attorneys be insulated from improper partisan political considerations.

 

7.         NEW BUSINESS

 

a.       Upcoming Vacancy on NHLC Board   ( see Exhibit E)

 

Action taken:  A motion was made and seconded to approve the recommendation of the HSBA Nominating Committee to reappoint Paul Nahoa Lucas to a 4-year term to the Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation Board beginning 11/01/2007.

 

b.   Approval of Child Law Section  ( see Exhibit F)  

 

Action taken:  A motion was made, seconded, and carried without opposition to approve the :  1) reorganization of the Child and Parent Advocate Section; 2) change of name to the Child Law Section; 3) Child Law Section’s bylaws.

 

c.   Approval of 2008 HSBA Section Budgets  ( see agenda item 7.c. and Exhibit G)

 

Action taken:  A motion was made, seconded, and carried without opposition to approve the proposed 2008 budgets of HSBA Sections.

 

d.   Report on the Hawaii Legal Preparedness for Pandemic Influenza - HSBA member John Egan reported that about 100 attendees participated in the Department of Health’s September 28^th table-top exercise on disaster planning for pandemic influenza.  Discussions included social distancing (quarantine and isolation) in the event of a pandemic.  Mr. Egan agreed to be HSBA’s representative if there are further group meetings/efforts in this area. 

 

e.   ICA Chief Judge Mark Recktenwald - November board meeting.

 

* f.   ICA Nomination - President Portnoy reported on the Senate confirmation hearing of Randal Lee.  He commented that he would like the Board to revisit the HSBA policy on what can/cannot be revealed about the Board’s position.

 

* Item added to the agenda.

8.         ADJOURNMENT

 

            The meeting adjourned at 12:48 p.m.

 

 

Submitted by:

Lyn Flanigan
HSBA Executive Director

 

 

Approved by:

Hugh R. Jones
HSBA Secretary