EBlast 514 - February 19, 2008

South Carolina Bar's E-Blast
Volume 514 - February 19, 2008

Welcome to the South Carolina Bar's E-Blast!
E-Blast highlights upcoming activities, legal information and links to the Bar's Web site at www.scbar.org.

The South Carolina Bar is dedicated to advancing justice, professionalism and understanding of the law.

its your bar
Legislation update
The following legislation has been passed by the General Assembly during the 2008 session. On-line legislation and regulations are available at www.scstatehouse.net. Elective Share.Act 173 (R178, S94) amends § 62-2-204, Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976, relating to a surviving spouse's rights to an elective share, homestead allowance, and exempt property, so as to provide for the voluntary waiver of those rights upon fair, reasonable, and written disclosure by the other spouse. Effective February 4, 2008 and applies to all waivers executed after that date. Procurement Code.Act 174 (R179, S282), comprehensive legislation, modifies procurement requirements regarding selection methods, source selection, and surety. Effective February 4, 2008 and applies to solicitations issued on or after January 1, 2008. Traffic Diversion Program Act.Act 176(R186, H3572) amends Chapter 22, Title 17, Code of Laws of South Carolina, 1976, relating to the Pretrial Intervention Program by designating the existing sections as Article 1 and by adding Article 3 so as to create the "Traffic Education Program Act," to provide that each Solicitor has the authority to establish a program for persons who commit traffic-related offenses punishable by a fine or loss of four points or less, to provide that the Solicitor is authorized to contract for services with the appropriate municipality or county, and to provide procedures for the operation of a traffic education program and requirements for persons desiring to enter a program. Effective May 4, 2008. All circuit solicitors shall have a traffic education program in effect by July 1, 2009, and no person has the right to apply to the program until the program is established. Compliance deadline approaching
The deadline for filing your 2007-2008 compliance report with the Commission on CLE and Specialization is on or before March 1. There are a significant number of Bar members who have not filed their reports. If your report is postmarked (USPS postmark) after the deadline, you will be assessed a late fee. Please remember that you will automatically be suspended from the practice of law if the Commission does not receive your report by March 31. Questions should be directed to the Commission at commcle@bellsouth.net or (803) 799-5578. PMAP - Your guide to...
High definition video news. Toshiba announced today that it would immediately cease production of HD-DVD players/recorders, yielding the market to the rival Blu-ray format. The move comes after recent, significant gains made by the Blu-ray format in the marketplace. Now that one standard has emerged victorious, the guesswork for consumers wondering which player/recorder to purchase is somewhat alleviated. However, many commentators believe the Blu-ray format to be more restrictive and more expensive than HD-DVD. How the news will affect consumers already owning HD-DVD players and movies is not yet known. For assistance with law office technology questions, contact pmap@scbar.org. Installation invitation
You are cordially invited to attend the installation of A.C. (Michael) Stephens as the Chief Public Defender for the Fourth Judicial Circuit on February 25 at 6 p.m. at the Dillon County Courthouse located at 301 W. Main St. Reception to follow. “Don’t pay $59.50 for a $5 deed”
Clif LeBlanc reported in The State paper on February 15 that the National Deed Service, Inc. is charging $59.50 for a $5 deed, and the S.C. Department of Consumer Affairs has issued a consumer warning against the company. And the winners are…
Move over Oscars! Congratulations to this year’s Convention door prize winners: Rosalyn Frierson, weekend getaway at the Sanctuary at Kiawah Island; Alexandre MacClenahan, weekend getaway at the Charleston Place Hotel; Bruce Hoffman, weekend getaway at the DoubleTree Guest Suites in Charleston; Thomasine Campbell, weekend getaway at the Marriott Grande Dunes, Myrtle Beach; David Cantrell, one night stay at The Wentworth Mansion and dinner at Circa 1886, Charleston; Helen Appleton, weekend getaway at the Embassy Suites in Columbia; and Theodore Manuel, a copy of Reflections of South Carolina by Robert C. Clark and Tom Poland. All winners will receive a memo and certificate in the mail in the coming week. Firm announcements
Brown and Brehmer announces that J. Austin Hood has become a partner of the firm and Ely O. Grote has become an associate of the firm located at 1720 Main St., Ste. 201, Columbia 29201. (803) 771-6600. William E. Hopkins Jr. and Susan F. Campbell announce the opening Hopkins & Campbell, LLP located at 1122 Lady St., Ste. 1010, Columbia 29201. (803) 265-6152. Law Offices of Jack M. Scoville Jr., PA announces that Samuel Scoville has become an associate of the firm located at 1001 Front St., Georgetown 29440. (843) 546-1130. Protection and Advocacy for People with Disabilities, Inc. announces that Sarah St. Onge has joined the organization located at 3710 Landmark Dr., Ste. 208, Columbia 29204. (803) 217-6711. Rogers Townsend & Thomas, PC, announces that Stuart Lee has become a shareholder of the firm located at 220 Executive Center Dr., Ste. 109, Columbia 29210. (803) 771-7900. In memoriam
Jonathan Perry Basten, 57, of Mount Pleasant, died February 14. His obituary can be found at The Post and Courier Web site. Everette N. "Bull" Brandon, 84, of Columbia, died February 12. His obituary can be found at The State Web site. Thomas English McCutchen III, 59, of Columbia, died February 17. He was a member of the Richland County Bar, the South Carolina Bar and the American Bar Association since 1973. He was a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates, the Fourth Circuit Judicial Conference, the Board of Governors of the South Carolina Trial Lawyers Association, a sustaining member of the Trial Lawyers of America and served on the Plaintiff’s Task Force of the American Bar Association. He was also a member of the South Carolina Supreme Court Committee on Character and Fitness. He was certified as a mediator in both state and federal courts. His obituary can be found at The State Web site. Calendar
February 20

YLD Committee Chair Meeting, Conference Call
Health Care Law Section Meeting and CLE, Nelson Mullins, Columbia February 21
Family Law Section Council Meeting, Conference Call February 22-23
Board of Governors Meeting, Kiawah Island February 29
S.C. Lawyer Editorial Board Meeting, Bar Building Upcoming CLE opportunities
It’s never too early
Mark your calendar now for the 2009 Convention at the Myrtle Beach Marriott Resort at Grande Dunes January 22-25. Hotel reservations can be made using the links below. In the meantime, don’t forget to check the Convention Web site for all the latest developments! Ocean View Reservations Resort View Reservations Live seminars
Sidebar, SC LIVE!, February 22
Faculty: Harrison Saunders, A. Randolph Hough, Desa Ballard, Peter Protopapas, Yulee Harrelson, Scott Hutto, Paul Reeves
The following three sites have been cancelled: Horry-Georgetown Tech in Georgetown, Piedmont Technical College in Greenwood and Trident Tech in North Charleston. Click on the link above to view the other available locations. Professionalism Issues Ahead II: An Afternoon Featuring Mark Curriden, February 29
This seminar is now being held at Midlands Technical College in the Health Sciences Auditorium, Room 144, located at 1260 Lexington Dr., W. Columbia, NOT the Main Auditorium. Seminars Direct Online
Ethics:
Ethical Issues for Lawyers in the Electronic Age Authority for Lawyer Trust Accounts and How to Set Them Up, Part 1
Faculty: Gary Richards How to Manage Lawyer Trust Accounts to Comply with the Safekeeping Rules, Part II
Faculty: Gary Richards Ethics… Did You Know?
Faculty: Barbara Seymour Family Law:
The Best of Family Law Hot Tips 2007
Faculty: C. Vance Stricklin, Kermit King, Jack Lawrence, Robert Rosen and Hon. Jerry Vinson Defending Abuse & Neglect Cases in South Carolina
Faculty: Gregory Forman, Lillie Hart, Diedrich von Lehe, Hon. Barry Knobel, Jay Elliott and Cherie Barton Law Practice Management and Technology:
When and How to Use Computer Forensics Professionals Teleseminars/Webcasts
For teleseminar/telewebinar registration, please click here then choose the program you wish to attend. If you have any difficulty registering for these seminars, please call (803) 771-0333, ext. 125 or (800) 768-7787, ext. 125 or e-mail jmerrill@scbar.org. For a complete listing of upcoming CLE opportunities, view the CLE Calendar.To be added or deleted from the E-Blast list, e-mail ljackson@scbar.org.