May 2007 Minutes
May 17, 2007
The Family Law Section Council met this date at the Bar building. Participating members included, Lisa Emery, Martha L. Hamel, W. Randolph Phipps, Ashlin B. Potterfield, Vicki J. Snelgrove and C. Vance Stricklin. Members participating via conference call were Melissa B. Brown and Elizabeth Myrick. Representing the Bar staff were Sally Davis and Tara Smith.
Chairperson Myrick called the meeting to order.
The first item of business was approval of the minutes from the March 22, 2007 and April 19, 2007, meetings. Ms. Brown moved approval of the minutes. Ms. Snelgrove seconded the motion, and they were approved.
The next item of business was discussion on the 2008 Family Law Intensive Workshop. A list of potential dates, locations and quotes were distributed to the Council. Ms. Myrick briefly reviewed the options and welcomed feedback from the Council. The following ideas were suggested: conduct an early seminar; provide a lunch with networking opportunities; adjourn around 2:00 p.m., in order for families to enjoy afternoon activities and host a reception and dinner. After reviewing the pros and cons of each facility, it was the consensus of the Council that the workshop be hosted in November at the Asheville Renaissance in NC. Ms. Davis reiterated that in order to maintain an advanced-level seminar, the number of attendees would be limited to no more than 60 participants. Ms. Snelgrove moved that the Section host the Intensive Workshop on November 7th & 8th, 2008 at the Asheville Renaissance in Asheville, NC. Mr. Phipps seconded the motion, and it was approved. Ms. Davis was to coordinate with the hotel. Ms. Brown was to continue researching potential speakers and topics.
Next, Ms. Myrick presented a summary of the Family Court Judges Conference regarding the proposed amendments to Rules 14, 21 and 25 of the SC Family Court Rules and the Financial Declaration. She reported that the judges approved the proposed amendments to Rule 14 and the revised financial declaration. She noted that the judges did not support the proposed changes to Rules 21 and 25. Ms. Myrick asked whether the Council would like to pursue. Ms. Hamel recommended that the Council proceed with the amendments to Rule 25, pursuant to the Rules of Civil Procedure.
Next was discussion on the 2008 Bar Convention scheduled for January 24th - 27th. Ms. Snelgrove reported that she had submitted the election to conduct form, projected expenses and the proposed agenda to the CLE Division. She reminded the Council that the seminar agenda focused on electronic communication. Ms. Davis stated that the Bar had conducted up to six seminars throughout the year on electronics. She expressed concern that attendance would be low due to overlap and suggested that the Council research other topics.
Ms. Snelgrove welcomed suggestions. Ms. Brown recommended Katherine Kinser from Texas to discuss “Art of Persuasion.†She stated that Ms. Kinser tied lawyer courtroom errors to various movie clips. It was also suggested that an open forum be conducted on “Rules Across the Board.†Judges would be asked a hypothetical question such as, what would you do if this happened and then show a portion of a movie clip. Judge Kaye Hearn and George Hearn, Jr. were suggested as possible moderators. Ms. Emery was to ascertain their interest. Ms. Snelgrove was to contact Richard Whiting and Steve Abrams on their interest in providing an update on electronic communication as it relates to the Internet and use of GPS Devices.
Next was discussion on co-sponsoring the Defending Abuse & Neglect Cases in SC seminar scheduled for August 10, 2007. A copy of the request from Greg Forman and seminar agenda were emailed to the Council. Ms. Myrick asked whether the Council would be interested in contributing towards the seminar. After a brief discussion, Ms. Brown moved that the Council decline the offer to contribute. Ms. Snelgrove seconded the motion, and it was approved.
Next, Ms. Hamel stated that the Children’s Law Center was scheduled to use the same agenda and speakers at the 2008 Bar Convention as the Bar’s Children’s Issues on Family Court seminar. She suggested that the Section provide distinction between the two events. Ms. Myrick was to contact Pat Forbis to further investigate. Ms. Emery and Mr. Stricklin volunteered to coordinate the Children’s Issues CLE scheduled in March.
The next Section Council meeting was scheduled for June 21, 2007, via conference call.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
The Family Law Section Council met this date at the Bar building. Participating members included, Lisa Emery, Martha L. Hamel, W. Randolph Phipps, Ashlin B. Potterfield, Vicki J. Snelgrove and C. Vance Stricklin. Members participating via conference call were Melissa B. Brown and Elizabeth Myrick. Representing the Bar staff were Sally Davis and Tara Smith.
Chairperson Myrick called the meeting to order.
The first item of business was approval of the minutes from the March 22, 2007 and April 19, 2007, meetings. Ms. Brown moved approval of the minutes. Ms. Snelgrove seconded the motion, and they were approved.
The next item of business was discussion on the 2008 Family Law Intensive Workshop. A list of potential dates, locations and quotes were distributed to the Council. Ms. Myrick briefly reviewed the options and welcomed feedback from the Council. The following ideas were suggested: conduct an early seminar; provide a lunch with networking opportunities; adjourn around 2:00 p.m., in order for families to enjoy afternoon activities and host a reception and dinner. After reviewing the pros and cons of each facility, it was the consensus of the Council that the workshop be hosted in November at the Asheville Renaissance in NC. Ms. Davis reiterated that in order to maintain an advanced-level seminar, the number of attendees would be limited to no more than 60 participants. Ms. Snelgrove moved that the Section host the Intensive Workshop on November 7th & 8th, 2008 at the Asheville Renaissance in Asheville, NC. Mr. Phipps seconded the motion, and it was approved. Ms. Davis was to coordinate with the hotel. Ms. Brown was to continue researching potential speakers and topics.
Next, Ms. Myrick presented a summary of the Family Court Judges Conference regarding the proposed amendments to Rules 14, 21 and 25 of the SC Family Court Rules and the Financial Declaration. She reported that the judges approved the proposed amendments to Rule 14 and the revised financial declaration. She noted that the judges did not support the proposed changes to Rules 21 and 25. Ms. Myrick asked whether the Council would like to pursue. Ms. Hamel recommended that the Council proceed with the amendments to Rule 25, pursuant to the Rules of Civil Procedure.
Next was discussion on the 2008 Bar Convention scheduled for January 24th - 27th. Ms. Snelgrove reported that she had submitted the election to conduct form, projected expenses and the proposed agenda to the CLE Division. She reminded the Council that the seminar agenda focused on electronic communication. Ms. Davis stated that the Bar had conducted up to six seminars throughout the year on electronics. She expressed concern that attendance would be low due to overlap and suggested that the Council research other topics.
Ms. Snelgrove welcomed suggestions. Ms. Brown recommended Katherine Kinser from Texas to discuss “Art of Persuasion.†She stated that Ms. Kinser tied lawyer courtroom errors to various movie clips. It was also suggested that an open forum be conducted on “Rules Across the Board.†Judges would be asked a hypothetical question such as, what would you do if this happened and then show a portion of a movie clip. Judge Kaye Hearn and George Hearn, Jr. were suggested as possible moderators. Ms. Emery was to ascertain their interest. Ms. Snelgrove was to contact Richard Whiting and Steve Abrams on their interest in providing an update on electronic communication as it relates to the Internet and use of GPS Devices.
Next was discussion on co-sponsoring the Defending Abuse & Neglect Cases in SC seminar scheduled for August 10, 2007. A copy of the request from Greg Forman and seminar agenda were emailed to the Council. Ms. Myrick asked whether the Council would be interested in contributing towards the seminar. After a brief discussion, Ms. Brown moved that the Council decline the offer to contribute. Ms. Snelgrove seconded the motion, and it was approved.
Next, Ms. Hamel stated that the Children’s Law Center was scheduled to use the same agenda and speakers at the 2008 Bar Convention as the Bar’s Children’s Issues on Family Court seminar. She suggested that the Section provide distinction between the two events. Ms. Myrick was to contact Pat Forbis to further investigate. Ms. Emery and Mr. Stricklin volunteered to coordinate the Children’s Issues CLE scheduled in March.
The next Section Council meeting was scheduled for June 21, 2007, via conference call.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.