Minutes September 2007
The Family Law Section Council met this date at the Bar building. Participating members included Melissa J. Emery, Patricia L. Forbis, Martha L. Hamel, James G. Long III, W. Randolph Phipps, Ashlin B. Potterfield, Vicki J. Snelgrove and C. Vance Stricklin. Participating via conference call were Elizabeth R. Myrick and Connie Payne. Guest included David Geis. Representing the Bar staff was Tara Smith.
Chairperson Snelgrove called the meeting to order.
The first item of business was approval of the minutes from the August 16, 2007, meeting. Ms. Potterfield moved approval of the minutes. Ms. Forbis seconded the motion, and it was approved.
The next item of business was discussion on the 2008 Bar Convention. Ms. Snelgrove reminded the Council that the Section CLE was scheduled for Friday, January 25, from 2:15 until 5:30 p.m. A copy of the revised seminar agenda was distributed to the Council. Ms. Emery queried whether attendees would have use of electronic controls for the Hearns' presentation. Ms. Smith was to confirm with Matt Riley in the CLE Division but noted that the questions had to be submitted in advance. Ms. Emery was to relay the information to the Hearns.
Ms. Myrick reported that the Council luncheon was scheduled at noon on Friday and would be held at T-Bonz. She announced that she had obtained proposals from Circa 1886, Cypress and Magnolias for the Friday night Council dinner. Ms. Myrick briefly reviewed the menu options and welcomed feedback. After discussion, the Council selected menu option two at Magnolias. She stated that cocktails would begin at 7:30 p.m. with dinner at 8:00 p.m. Ms. Myrick was to inform the restaurant of the Council's decision.
Next, Ms. Smith announced that the 2008 Family Law Intensive was scheduled for November 21 & 22, at the Grove Park Inn in Asheville, NC. Ms. Sally Davis was to review the hotel contract and contact Mark Powers with Atticus to verify his interest in speaking at the program.
In the next item of business was discussion on the proposed amendments to Rule 14 of the SC Rules of Family Court and the new proposed Financial Declaration form. Ms. Snelgrove stated that the proposed amendments to Rule 14 had passed the legislature and that no additional action was required. Ms. Smith stated that the new proposed Financial Declaration form was to be submitted to the Board of Governors and the House of Delegates for consideration.
Next, Ms. Snelgrove announced that an individual had contacted her regarding the Section’s interest in establishing a co-parenting program and proposed legislation. Ms. Forbis and Ms. Myrick reported that Charleston had a similar 10-week program but due to the volume of responses and lack of funding, the program was discontinued. After discussion, it was the consensus of the Council that no action be taken. Ms. Snelgrove was to relay the Council's decision.
Next was discussion on the "Hot Tips from the Coolest Domestic Law Practitioners," seminar. Ms. Smith reported that 186 people had registered for the CLE scheduled for September 21, 2007, at Midlands Technical College. Mr. Phipps expressed his desire to schedule future Hot Tips seminars in an in-chamber week in hopes to increase participation. Ms. Smith was to inform the CLE Division of his request.
Next, Ms. Payne expressed her concern on the number of court appointed cases that she receives each year. She informed the Council that legislation had passed which would give attorneys the option of paying a $1,000 fee to be exempt for one-year. Ms. Potterfield stated that the Committee was scheduled to meet this month to discuss ideas on how to improve the system so that attorneys would have more interest in accepting the appointments.
It was announced that the next Council meeting was scheduled for October 18, 2007, via conference call.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
Chairperson Snelgrove called the meeting to order.
The first item of business was approval of the minutes from the August 16, 2007, meeting. Ms. Potterfield moved approval of the minutes. Ms. Forbis seconded the motion, and it was approved.
The next item of business was discussion on the 2008 Bar Convention. Ms. Snelgrove reminded the Council that the Section CLE was scheduled for Friday, January 25, from 2:15 until 5:30 p.m. A copy of the revised seminar agenda was distributed to the Council. Ms. Emery queried whether attendees would have use of electronic controls for the Hearns' presentation. Ms. Smith was to confirm with Matt Riley in the CLE Division but noted that the questions had to be submitted in advance. Ms. Emery was to relay the information to the Hearns.
Ms. Myrick reported that the Council luncheon was scheduled at noon on Friday and would be held at T-Bonz. She announced that she had obtained proposals from Circa 1886, Cypress and Magnolias for the Friday night Council dinner. Ms. Myrick briefly reviewed the menu options and welcomed feedback. After discussion, the Council selected menu option two at Magnolias. She stated that cocktails would begin at 7:30 p.m. with dinner at 8:00 p.m. Ms. Myrick was to inform the restaurant of the Council's decision.
Next, Ms. Smith announced that the 2008 Family Law Intensive was scheduled for November 21 & 22, at the Grove Park Inn in Asheville, NC. Ms. Sally Davis was to review the hotel contract and contact Mark Powers with Atticus to verify his interest in speaking at the program.
In the next item of business was discussion on the proposed amendments to Rule 14 of the SC Rules of Family Court and the new proposed Financial Declaration form. Ms. Snelgrove stated that the proposed amendments to Rule 14 had passed the legislature and that no additional action was required. Ms. Smith stated that the new proposed Financial Declaration form was to be submitted to the Board of Governors and the House of Delegates for consideration.
Next, Ms. Snelgrove announced that an individual had contacted her regarding the Section’s interest in establishing a co-parenting program and proposed legislation. Ms. Forbis and Ms. Myrick reported that Charleston had a similar 10-week program but due to the volume of responses and lack of funding, the program was discontinued. After discussion, it was the consensus of the Council that no action be taken. Ms. Snelgrove was to relay the Council's decision.
Next was discussion on the "Hot Tips from the Coolest Domestic Law Practitioners," seminar. Ms. Smith reported that 186 people had registered for the CLE scheduled for September 21, 2007, at Midlands Technical College. Mr. Phipps expressed his desire to schedule future Hot Tips seminars in an in-chamber week in hopes to increase participation. Ms. Smith was to inform the CLE Division of his request.
Next, Ms. Payne expressed her concern on the number of court appointed cases that she receives each year. She informed the Council that legislation had passed which would give attorneys the option of paying a $1,000 fee to be exempt for one-year. Ms. Potterfield stated that the Committee was scheduled to meet this month to discuss ideas on how to improve the system so that attorneys would have more interest in accepting the appointments.
It was announced that the next Council meeting was scheduled for October 18, 2007, via conference call.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.