The following are the changes to the HCBA By-Laws currently being considered by the Board of Directors. Comments from Bar Association members will be accepted until until March 31, 2002.  The Board of Directors will take a final vote on all the suggested changes on Tuesday, April 8, 2002.  The changes approved by the Board of Directors will then be voted on by the membership at the annual meeting. Comments should be sent to HCBA president Bob Guth in writing (including e-mail).  

 

BY-LAWS

 OF 

HOWARD COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION, INC.

 

    ARTICLE I - IDENTIFICATION:

            Section 1.      Name.  The name of the Corporation is: THE HOWARD COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION, INC. (referred to hereinafter as the Association).

            Section 2.            Principal Office.  The principal office of the Association shall be located at : 8360 Court Avenue, Circuit Courthouse Building, Ellicott City, Maryland 21043 or at such other location as the Board of Directors shall determine.

            Section 3.      Seal.  The seal of the Corporation Association shall be in the form of a circle and shall bear the name of the Association, the year of its incorporation, and the Word word “MARYLAND”.

            Section 4.      Fiscal Year.  The fiscal year of the Corporation Association shall be from July 1st 1 to June 30th 30 of the following calendar year.

 

ARTICLE II - MEMBERSHIP AND MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS:

            Section 1.            Classes of Membership.  This shall be a non—stock non-stock, membership corporation established in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Maryland General Corporation Law of the State of Maryland.  Membership in this the Association shall consist of the following classifications: active, associate, honorary, and inactive.  There shall also be a judicial section of membership.

            Section 2.      Active Membership.  To be eligible for active membership in this the Association, a person shall (i)(a) be a member of the Bar of the Court of Appeals of Maryland and not disbarred or under suspension by any court or jurisdiction and (ii)(b) shall maintain in the State of Maryland, a principal office, (which is defined as that place where that person spends 3 three (3) or more days each working week (Monday[Monday through Friday)] during ordinary business hours and), be a resident of Howard County, Maryland or maintain such an office in Howard County, Maryland, and shall be engaged in the full-time practice of law.

            Section 3.            Associate Membership.  To be eligible for associate membership in this the Association, a person shall be (i)(a) a law clerk for a judge, governmental office, or law firm or attorney and working in Howard County, Maryland; (ii)(b) a member of the Bar of the Court of Appeals of Maryland and not disbarred or under suspension by any court or jurisdiction; or (iii)(c) a full—time full-time law professor or dean of a law school.

            Section 4.            Honorary Membership.  The following persons shall be honorary members of the Association during their terms in office:

                        (a)            Judges of the Court of Appeals of Maryland, and the Court of Special Appeals for Maryland, judges of any Federal Court or court of record of the District of Columbia, provided said judges were previous members of the Association;

                        (b)            And such other persons as may be named by unanimous vote of the Board of Directors.

            Section 5.            Inactive Membership.  To be eligible for inactive membership in this the Association, an attorney must have been a former member of this the Association, whether active, associate, or honorary, and shall not be engaged in the active practice of law and not be disbarred or under suspension by any court or jurisdiction.

            Section 6.      Judicial Section.  The judicial section shall be composed of the judges of the Circuit and District Court Judges Courts for Howard County, Maryland, and Masters of the Circuit Court for Howard County, Maryland.  They shall be entitled to all the privileges and duties of active members, except as otherwise noted.

            Section 7.            Application for and Election to Membership.

                        (a)            Application for membership in this the Association shall be made on the forms prescribed by the Association and submitted to the Association’s Membership Committee Board of Directors.

                        (b)            All applications shall require the names and signatures of two sponsors, who must be active members of the Association in good standing.

                        (c)            All dues payments for new members whose applications are approved between July 1 and December 1 of each year shall be in the full annual amount.  All dues for new members whose applications are approved between December 1 and June 1 of each year shall be in the amount of one—half one-half (½) of the annual dues.

                        (d)            The application, upon receipt, shall be reviewed by the Membership Committee Board of Directors for conformity with the provisions of this Article.  The Membership Committee Board of Directors may conduct a personal interview at the applicant’s office (or such other place as may be agreed to) and report to the full membership at the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Association after the interview.

                        (e)            Upon receipt of the report, the membership shall vote on the admission of the applicant at the said meeting, provided there is a quorum.

                        (f)            Any member who desires to become an active member after being as associate member shall be required to follow the procedure required of initial applicants.

            Section 8.            Privileges and Duties of Membership.

                        (a)            Active Members shall be eligible to vote, hold office in the Association, and participate in all committees, social, and other activities of the Association.

                        (b)            Associate Members shall be eligible to participate in all committee, social, and other activities of the Association.  Such members shall not be eligible to vote or hold office, or to participate as a member of the Lawyer Referral Panel, unless such associate member belongs to another Bar Association bar association which grants reciprocal privileges to active members of the Bar Association of Howard County, Maryland.

                        (c)            Honorary and Inactive Members shall be entitled to participate in the activities of the Association, but shall not be eligible to vote, hold office, or to serve on any Lawyer Referral Panel.

                        (d)            Annual Review of Membership:.  Each member, whether active, associate, honorary or inactive, shall may be required once a year to certify to the accuracy of facts relevant to the classification of the member and may be reclassified as a result of such review.  Each member shall be required to complete a form prepared by the Membership Committee Board of Directors relative to the classification of the member.

            Section 9.            Expulsion and Suspension.

                        (a)            Disbarment by any State of or Federal Court shall automatically terminate membership in this the Association.

                        (b)            Any member may be suspended or expelled for professional misconduct or a breach of professional duties upon a two-thirds (K) vote of the membership following a hearing and a finding by the Membership Committee Board of Directors of such misconduct or breach.

                        (c)            Any member expelled from the Association shall forfeit all rights and privileges of the membership.

                        (d)            Suspension from the practice of law by any State or Federal Court shall automatically suspend membership in the Association until the suspension is removed.

            Section 10.            Assessments and Delinquencies.

                        (a)            The amount of all dues and assessments shall be fixed by majority vote of the membership at any regular or special meeting after receiving a recommendation from the Board of Directors which shall be delivered to the membership at least ten (10) days prior to such vote.  In order to maintain membership in the Association, all active, associate, and inactive members shall pay all dues and assessments when the same shall become due.

                        (b)            Any member who fails to pay dues or any special assessments within sixty (60) days following the mailing of the first notice of such dues or special assessment, shall be dropped from the roll of members upon the affirmative vote of the majority of the membership, provided, however, that prior to the taking such action the Treasurer shall give such delinquent member notice of intention to request such action of the membership which notice shall reflect the date of which the membership will be asked to take action.  Any member so dropped shall be eligible for readmission after six (6) months upon the same conditions of the original application for membership, except, however, the arrearages in dues and assessments shall be paid.

            Section 11.            Reinstatement.  Any member who has been expelled from the Association by reason of disbarment may apply for reinstatement in this the Association after reinstatement to practice in all jurisdictions from which such member was previously disbarred.  If the expulsion from this the Association was by reason other than disbarment, the former member may reapply for membership at any time after the expiration of one (1) year following such expulsion and may be reinstated by a majority vote of the Association upon payment of all intervening dues and assessments.

            Section 12.            Meetings.

                        (a)            There shall be regular business meetings of the Association at such time during each year as the Board of Directors may by resolution direct.

                        (b)            The annual meeting of the Association shall be held on the first Friday in June of each year or at such other time and place in the month of June or at the regular business meeting of the Association in May as the Board of Directors may by notice to the membership determine.  Each term of office shall commence on July 1st. At the Annual Meeting, the President shall:

                                    (i)            Render a state of Association report.

                                    (ii)            Present for approval the budget for the forthcoming fiscal year as it has been approved by the Board of Directors.

                                    (iii)            Conduct the election of officers and Directors in accordance with Article VI of this Constitution III of these By-Laws.

                        (c)            Special meetings shall may be called on not less than two (2) days notice at any time by the President, by the Board of Directors, or by the President upon written request of 25 twenty-five percent (25%) of the active members of the Association addressed to the President.  A notice shall be given to the membership of the time, place and purpose of each special meeting least forty-eight (48) hours prior to the convening of such a meeting.  Upon the failure of the President to call such meeting within five (5) days after the receipt of such written request, the Secretary shall notify the membership of such meeting as provided herein and set the date of the meeting not less than forty-eight (48) hours before nor more than five (5) days from after the date of such notification to the membership.  At any such special meeting, no business shall be transacted except that which is specified in the call for notice of the special meeting.

                        (d)            Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be called by the President.

                        (e)            The Association may call quarterly meetings within each year, which meeting may be attended by all members except those of the judicial section.  The Association may hold such other meetings without the attendance of members of the judicial section, upon resolution of the Board of Directors where, in the opinion of the Directors of the Association, the purpose of the meetings so requires.

            Section 13.    Order of Business at Meetings.

                        (a)            The order of business shall may be as follows at all the meetings of the Association or the Board of Directors:

                                    (i)            Announcement of a quorum;

                                    (ii)            Proof of notice of meeting or waiver of notice;

                                    (iii)            Reading of minutes of prior meeting;

                                    (iv)            Reports of officers;

                                    (v)            Reports of Committees;

                                    (vi)            Old business; and

                                    (vii)            New business.

                        (b)            Any question as to the priority of business shall not be decided by the President without debate.

                        (c)            The order of business may be altered or suspended at any meeting by a majority of the active membership present and entitled to vote.

                        (d)            If, by a majority vote of the active membership present and entitled to vote, any business shall be require the absence of the members of the judicial section, those members shall be absent themselves during that particular point of business.

            Section 14.            Quorum.

                        (a)            The presence in person of forty-five (45) active members shall be necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any regular or special meeting.

                        (b)            If a quorum is not present, the meeting shall be adjourned to a day and hour fixed by the President.

                        (c)            All matters to be decided at a duly constituted meeting of the Association shall be by a majority vote of those active members present in person, so long as a quorum shall be present, except as otherwise provided in these By—Laws By-Laws.

 

ARTICLE III - OFFICERS AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS:

            Section 1.            Officers and Directors.  The Officers of the Association shall consist of the following: President, President-Elect, Treasurer, Secretary, and Secretary.  The said officers of the Association together with the Immediate Past President, and four six (6) members-at-large. The said officers shall also constitute the Board of Directors of the Association.  The term of office of each officer and director shall commence on July 1st following immediately upon his or her election or, in the case of the President, following the succession of the President—Elect President-Elect to such office. The President shall appoint one of such directors as Parliamentarian to serve at the pleasure of the President.

            Section 2.      Duties.

                        (a)            President.  The President shall preside at all meetings of the Association, shall serve as chairman of the Board of Directors, and shall be an ex officio member of all committees of the Association.  The President shall at the annual meeting report to the Association on its progress and status.  The President shall only serve one full term in office.

                        (b)            President-Elect_.  The President—Elect President-Elect shall assume all duties of the President in the absence of the President, and shall automatically succeed to the office of President upon the death, resignation, or disability of the President and upon the expiration of the term of office of the President.  All active members shall be eligible for the office of President—Elect President-Elect, except the retiring President.

                        (c)            Treasurer.  The Treasurer shall be responsible for the collection and depositing of funds in the name of the Association in such banks or other financial institutions as the Board of Directors may select and shall be responsible for the disbursement and/or withdrawal of same by order of the Board of Directors, reporting at regular Association meetings and for keeping regular accounts of income and disbursements, which shall be open to inspection by any member of the Association.  The Treasurer shall submit to the Board of Directors not later than ninety (90) days prior to the end of the term of such office, a proposed budget for the forthcoming fiscal year of the Association.  The Treasurer shall periodically advise the Board of Directors of the financial responsibility of the membership and any delinquencies in dues and assessments which shall have accrued.  The Treasurer shall further be responsible for the filing of tax returns for the Association.  The Treasurer may serve more than one term in office at the will of the Association.

                        (d)            Secretary.  The Secretary shall maintain accurate minutes of the proceedings of the Association and the Executive Committee for dissemination to the membership, conduct the correspondence of the Association, maintain the official seal, and perform such other usual duties as shall be requested by the President.  The Secretary may serve more than one term in office at the will of the Association.

(e) Members—at—Large. The four members—at—large shall serve on the Board of Directors and shall have such duties as the President shall assign them for the benefit of the Association.

            Section 3.      Board of Directors.  The Board of Directors shall manage the affairs of the Association subject to these By-Laws.  The Board shall designate the time and place of meetings of the Association, shall approve the expenditure of all sums from the Association funds, and shall approve, with or without modification, the budget proposed by the Treasurer, which it shall submit to the membership for approval.  The Board may employ an Executive Director and staff and may delegate by resolution such managerial duties as it deems appropriate.  All such employment shall be at the will of the Board of Directors.  All members of the Board may serve more than one term in office at the will of the Association.

 Unless otherwise specified in these By-Laws a majority of the members of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum.

 

ARTICLE IV - COMMITTEES:

Section 1. Management of Standing and Special Committees.

The President may appoint a member or members of the Board to coordinate and monitor each section of the standing and special committees of the Association. The standing and special committees shall be organized for such purposes in the following sections:

(a) Bar Association Administration

(b) Services to Association Members

(c) Responsibilities to the Public

(d) Responsibilities to the Profession.

The work of the Sections and all committees shall be governed by the By-laws and managed by the Board of Directors.

Section 2. Composition of Standing and Special Committees

Section 3. Standing Committees.

The President shall appoint the members and chairs (or, at the election of the President, co—chairs) of each Standing and Special Committee. Members of each standing committee shall serve a term of one (1) year, and the chairs (or co—chairs) shall serve a term of one (1) year. Members and chairs (or co—chairs) of each special committee shall serve such terms as may be determined by the President. Each standing committee shall have no less than five (5) members. The Standing Committees shall be as named in this section and as may from time to time be established by resolution of the Association.

(a) Bar Association Administration - This section shall be coordinated and monitored by a member of the Board of Directors for the primary purpose of assisting the efficient administration of the Association. The standing committees in this section are as follows:

1. Membership Committee

2. Nominations and Elections Committee

3. Long-Range Planning Committee

4. By-Laws Committee

(b) Services to Association Members — This section shall be coordinated and monitored by a member of the Board of Directors for the primary purpose of providing services to the Association members. The standing committees in this section are as follows:

1. Continuing Legal Education Committee

2. Legislative Committee

3. Library Committee

4. Mentor Committee

5. Solo - Small Practitioner Committee

6. Young Lawyers Committee

7. Special Events Committee

8. Administration of Justice Committee

(c) Responsibilities to the Public - The committees in this section shall be coordinated and monitored by a member of the Board of Directors for the primary purpose of fulfilling the responsibilities of the Association to the public. The committees in this section are as follows:

1. Legal Services to the Public and Lawyer Referral Committee

2. Public Relations and Events Committee

(d) Responsibilities to the Profession — The committees in this section shall be coordinated and monitored by a member of the Board of Directors for the primary purpose of fulfilling the responsibilities of the Association to the legal profession. The committees in this section are as follows:

1. Judicial Merit Selection Committee

2. Legal Ethics Committee

3. Professional Organizations Relations Committee

Section 4. Special Committees.

There shall be such special committees as the President shall determine are necessary to the proper functioning of the Association and shall establish and there shall further be such special committees as the Association by a majority vote shall direct the President to establish.

Section 5. Purposes of Standing Committees.

(a) Membership Committee. It shall be the duty of the Committee on Membership to assist the Board of Directors as directed from time to time in carrying out the membership policies of the Association as established by Article II of these By-Laws.

(b) Nominations and Elections Committee. It shall be the duty of the Nominations and Elections Committee to administer the nomination and election procedures as established by Article VII of these By-laws.

(c) Long-Range Planning Committee. It shall be the duty of this Committee to develop and pursue on its own initiative an ongoing program for evaluating the responsiveness of the Association to the needs of the Association members, the legal profession, and the public; to make specific recommendations to the Board of Directors from time to time for organizational revision, modification of existing programs, and the institution of new programs; to make preliminary evaluations of the feasibility of undertaking new programs; and, generally, to assist the Board of Directors and the Association at—large in anticipating problems which will be challenging the Association members, the legal professional, and the public in the future.

(d) By-Laws Committee. It shall be the duty of this Committee to monitor the operation of the Association under the By—laws and to review recommendations for and to make recommendations for changes to the By—laws to better facilitate the operations of the Association and enable it to determine and fulfill its purposes.

(e) Continuing Legal Education Committee. It shall be the duty of this Committee to enhance the continuing legal education of the lawyers in Howard County by instituting and coordinating programs of interest to members of the Bar. In addition to such programs as the Committee may initiate, programs requested by any other committee or by the membership shall be implemented by the Committee.

(f) Legislative Committee. It shall be the duty of this Committee to take notice of all pending and proposed legislation proposing innovations to or changes in the law and to consider and report to this Association such action as a majority of the Committee shall believe should be taken by the Association with respect to such pending legislation. It may refer any items of pending or proposed legislation to any other Standing Committee or Section of the Association for its study and recommendations.

(g) Library Committee. It shall be the duty of this Committee to promote the availability of an adequate law library for the membership in order to assist the members in providing high quality legal services to those in need of such services in Howard County, Maryland.

(h) Mentor Committee. It shall be the duty of this Committee to develop programs for mentoring members of the Association who are newly admitted to the practice of law.

(i) Solo - Small Practitioner Committee. It shall be the duty of this Committee to advise the Board of Directors of the needs of the members of the Association who practice law alone or in small partnerships, professional corporations or other associations and to make recommendations regarding their needs.

(j) Young Lawyers Committee. This Committee shall consist of members under the age of thirty—six (36) or who have practiced law for less than five years. It shall be the duty of this Committee to ascertain and promote the interests of young lawyers within the Association.

(k) Special Events Committee. It shall be the duty of this Committee to provide for the fulfillment of the ceremonial obligations of the Association such as the annual meeting, reception for judges, memorials, and for social events such as dinner dances and sporting events.

(l) Administration of Justice Committee. It shall be the duty of the Committee for Administration of Justice to review, analyze, and suggest improvements to procedures in the administration of justice. The Committee shall also consider new rules and statutes as they affect the practicing attorney in Howard County and their impact on our courts and clients. Finally, the Committee shall review legislation affecting the administration of justice and make recommendations regarding its passage to the Association. This Committee may establish subcommittees to assist in the work of the Committee in such areas as liaison with:

1. Circuit Court

2. Circuit Court, sitting as an Orphans Court

3. Circuit Court Clerk’s office

4. Department of Juvenile Services

5. Department of Parole and Probation

6. District Court

7. Federal Courts

8. Law Enforcement Agencies

9. Public Defender

10. Register of Wills

11. Sheriff

12. State’s Attorney

(m) Legal Services to the Public Committee and Lawyer Referral Committee. It shall be the duty of the Legal Services to the Public and Lawyer Referral Committee to promote the availability of high quality legal services to all people in need of legal services in Howard County, Maryland. The Committee may establish subcommittees to assist in the work of the committee in such areas as:

(1) Lawyer Referral and Reduced Fees

(2) Legal Aid

(3) Judicare

(4) Pro Bono

(n) Public Relations and Events Committee. It shall be the duty of this Committee to promote the relations of the Association with the public and to provide for special public events such as Law Day, the Columbia Fair, and the Howard County Fair.

(o) Judicial Merit Selection Committee. It shall be the duty of the Committee on Judicial Selections to administer the program established by Article VI of these By-laws.

(p) Legal Ethics Committee. The Legal Ethics Committee shall have the following duties:

(1) To encourage high standards of integrity, honor, and courtesy in the legal profession.

(2) To consider questions presented to it by the public, the judiciary, and members of the Association and to render opinions on such questions either formally or informally as the Committee deems appropriate. All such opinions shall be filed and maintained as permanent records of the Association.

(3) The Committee may publish its opinions when deemed in the best interests of the profession, but shall maintain confidentiality as to individuals involved in its proceedings.

(4) It shall refer any matter it reasonably believes to be a grievance to the Attorney Grievance Commission of the State of Maryland.

(q) Professional Organizations Relations Committee. It shall be the duty of this Committee to advise the Board on the affairs of other legal organizations such as the American Bar Association, the Maryland State Bar Association, the Waring Mitchell Law Society, the Women’s Bar Association, MICPEL, and other legal organizations.

 

ARTICLE V - SECTIONS:

            Section 4.            Meetings of the Board of Directors.

                        (a)            Regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be held, without notice, at such time and place as determined from time to time by resolution of the Board.  However, notice of every resolution of the Board fixing or changing the time or place for the holding of regular meetings of the Board shall be provided to each Director at least ten (10) days before the first meeting held pursuant to that resolution.  Any business may be transacted at any regular meeting of the Board.  A special meeting of the Board of Directors may be called, at any time and for any purpose or purposes, by the President or by the President-Elect.  A special meeting of the Board of Directors shall also be called forthwith by the President or by the Secretary upon the written request of a majority of the Board of Directors.  Written notice of each special meeting of the Board of Directors shall be provided to each Director at least three (3) days before the meeting.  Any business may be transacted at any special meeting of the Board.  Any Director may, in writing, waive notice of the time, place, and purposes of any special meeting.  Any meeting of the Board of Directors whether a regular or special meeting may adjourn from time to time to reconvene at the same or some other place, and no notice need be given of the reconvened meeting other than by announcement at the adjourned meeting.

                        (b)            Any action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of the Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting, if a unanimous written consent which sets forth the action is signed by each member of the Board and filed for the minutes of the Board of Directors.  Members of the Board of Directors or any committee of the Board of Directors may participate in a meeting by means of a conference telephone or similar communications equipment if all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other at the same time, and such participation in a meeting shall be deemed to constitute presence in person at such meeting.

            Section 5.            Quorum.  At each meeting of the Board of Directors, a majority of the entire Board of Directors constitutes a quorum for the transaction of business.  If less than a quorum is present at any meeting, a majority of those present may adjourn the meeting from time to time.  Except as otherwise specifically provided by law, by the Charter of the Corporation, or by these By-Laws, the act of a majority of the Directors present at any meeting at which there is a quorum constitutes the act of the Board of Directors.

 

ARTICLE IV – BOARD COMMITTEES

            Section 1.            Committees.  The Board of Directors may appoint from among the Directors such committees as it deems appropriate.  Except as otherwise provided herein, all such committees shall be composed of one (1) or more Directors.  The Board of Directors may delegate to these committees any of the powers of the Board, except:  (i) any power the Board is prohibited from delegating under the Maryland General Corporation Law; or (ii) the power to elect or remove Directors or amend these Bylaws.

            Section 2.            Committee Procedure.  The Board of Directors shall have the power to prescribe the manner in which proceedings of each committee shall be held.  Unless the Board of Directors shall otherwise provide, the actions of each committee shall be governed by the following rules of procedure.  The majority of the members of a committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business and the vote of a majority of those present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be sufficient to pass any measure or resolution of the committee.  The members of the committee present at any meeting, whether or not they constitute a quorum, may appoint a Director to act in the place of an absent member.  Any action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of a committee may be taken without a meeting, if a unanimous written consent which sets forth the action is signed by each member of the committee and filed for the minutes of a committee.  The members of the committee may conduct any meeting thereof by telephone conference or similar communications equipment if all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other at the same time.  Participation in a meeting by these means constitutes a presence in person at a meeting.  In the absence of any prescription by the Board of Directors or any applicable provision of these By-Laws, each committee may prescribe the manner in which its proceeding shall be conducted.

 

ARTICLE V – ASSOCIATION COMMITTEES

            Section 1.            Committees.  The Board of Directors may appoint from among the members of the Association a Judicial Merit Selection Committee and such other committees as it deems appropriate (“Association Committees”).  Except as otherwise provided herein, all such Association Committees shall be composed of two (2) or more members of the Association.  The Board of Directors may create the Association Committees for the purpose of providing information and recommendations to the Board, but any creation thereof shall not be deemed a delegation of any of the powers of the Board in any way.

            Section 2.            Committee Procedure.  The Board of Directors shall have the power to prescribe the manner in which proceedings of each Association Committee shall be held.  Unless the Board of Directors shall otherwise provide, the actions of each Association committee shall be governed by the following rules of procedure.  The majority of the members of an Association Committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business and the vote of a majority of those present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be sufficient to pass any measure or resolution of such Association Committee.  Any action required or permitted to be taken at a meeting of an Association Committee may be taken without a meeting, if a unanimous written consent which sets forth the action is signed by each member of the Association Committee and filed for the minutes of such Association Committee.  The members of the Association Committee may conduct any meeting thereof by telephone conference or similar communications equipment if all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other at the same time.  Participation in a meeting by these means constitutes a presence in person at a meeting.  In the absence of any prescription by the Board of Directors or any applicable provision of these By-Laws, each Association Committee may prescribe the manner in which its proceeding shall be conducted.

            Section 3.            Judicial Merit Selection Committee.  The functions and composition of the Judicial Merit Selection Committee shall be as set forth in Article VII of these By-Laws.

 

ARTICLE VI – MEMBERSHIP SECTIONS

            Section 1.  The Board of Directors may by resolution establish such sections as it deems appropriate from time to time to further the interest of the membership in special areas of the law.  Membership in said sections shall not be restricted but shall be open to all members in good standing of this the Association.  The chairman of each section shall be appointed by the President.  These sections may include, but not be limited to, any one or more of the following:

                        (a)            Administrative Law

                        (b)            Bankruptcy

                        (c)            Commercial Law and Banking

                        (d)            Correctional Reform

                        (e)            Criminal Law

                        (f)            Family Law

                        (g)            Juvenile Law

                        (h)            Patent, Trademark & Copyright

                        (i)            Real Estate

                        (j)            Taxation

                        (k)            Wills, Estates, and Trusts

                        (l)            Person Injury

                        (m)            Business Law

            Section 2.      Each section may establish its own rules or bylaws by-laws, subject to approval by resolution of the Board of Directors.

 

Section 3. All educational programs offered to the full membership of the Association shall be coordinated through the Continuing Legal Education Committee.

 

ARTICLE VI

ARTICLE VII - JUDICIAL MERIT SELECTION COMMITTEE:

            Section 1.      It is recognized that it is the responsibility and obligation of the members of the Bar and of this the Association to:

(1)

                        (a)            Encourage the candidacy of well-qualified persons for judicial office;

(2)

                        (b)            Promote, support, and endorse such candidates during the process of selection;

(3)

                        (c)            Identify candidates for judicial office who shall be found to be fully qualified.

            Section 2.            Administration.  The function of the Association in the merit selection process shall be administered by the Judicial Merit Selection Committee (referred to in this Article VI as the “Committee”)“Selection Committee”).

            Section 3.            <