Reviews nominations for various Hawaii State Bar Association and American Bar Association awards and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors.

 

Mediates or arbitrates disputes between attorneys and clients; attempts to resolve disputes between attorneys; and seeks to develop other avenues for dispute resolution between attorneys and others, including intervention program for problem attorneys.

 

Serves as a confidential clearinghouse for concerns by the bench and bar. Comprised of judges and attorneys who meet quarterly to discuss and try to resolve concerns regarding judges (in particular and in general), attorneys (in particular and in general), and more global administration of justice issues.

 

Assists the Supreme Court and Attorney General's office in enforcing the unauthorized practice of law statute.

 

Assists CLE staff in developing, financing, and marketing CLE programs and publications for lawyers and other professionals; and formulates long-term strategies to increase lawyer competence.

 

Develops and promotes programs designed to make legal services more readily available in the community, works with other organizations to increase services, coordinates participation of the HSBA membership in such programs, and provides a forum for exchange of ideas and information.

 

Develops programs to help eliminate gender, ethnic, and other bias and discrimination in the legal profession and judicial system.

 

Maintains close relationship with judiciary on matters of mutual concern to bench and bar, monitors and formulates recommendations to the Board concerning legislation affecting the judiciary, studies and reports on subjects of judicial conduct and discipline, coordinates activities of the HSBA relating to improvement of the judiciary and administration of justice.

 

Develops and coordinates programs (live and broadcast) and publications with government agencies such as the Department of Education, Executive Office on Aging, and other agencies and organizations, to educate the public about their legal rights and responsibilities, the legal process, and the role of lawyers. Includes LawLine subcommittee that updates 24-hour telephone message service with information on the courts, procedure, and substantive law areas.

 

Recommends policies for improving the Lawyer Referral & Information Service.

 

Screens, monitors, and keeps the HSBA Board, Committees, Sections and members apprised of proposed legislation pertaining to the bench and bar, provides expertise to legislators upon request, recommend Board positions to be taken by the HSBA, proposes guidlelines regarding the appropriate role of the HSBA Board, Committees and Sections in addressing proposed legislation and public policy issues.

 

Helps ascertain needs and markets benefits and services to members. Chair of committee reviews and makes recommendations on discounts and other benefits for HSBA members.

 

Develops programs to educate attorneys, law office staff, and law students on practice management skills.

 

Encourages competition in the marketplace for professional liability insurance and develops programs to prevent legal malpractice.

 

Studies and makes recommendations concerning standars of professional and ethical conduct, and develops programs designed to prevent or remedy the consequences of ethical misconduct of lawyers in dealing with their clients. Handles diversion program which receives minor misconduct referrals from the Chief Disciplinary Counsel (once the program is complete, violation is expunged from attorney's record.)

 

Oversees the quality, editorial content and finances of the Bar Journal, Bar Directory, and other HSBA publications

 

Develops and presents to the Board for approval a long range plan for the HSBA, monitor and reports on the implementation of the plan, and periodically revises and updates the plan.

 

Promotes the use of technology among attorneys to enhance efficiency in the law office.