December 6, 2000 Meeting
City Club, Lansing

Chair Diane Royal called the meeting to order at 6:45 p.m.

Present

Diane Royal
Karl Benghauser
Erick Williams
Marya Nelson-Davis
Peter Lark
Sharon Feldman
Tom Sparks
Jackie Doig

Excused

Bill Fulkerson

Unexcused

Bruce Maughan
John Pirich
Kay Hansen

Treasurer's Report

Treasurer Tom Sparks reported that the statement for transactions in October 2000 has not yet been received from the State Bar and bills for seminar expenses were delayed in the mail be cause they were sent to him at the wrong address but they have been forwarded to the State Bar for payment.

The statement for fiscal year 2000 shows an ending balance of 15,199.73.

Committee Reports:

1. Bylaw Revision Committee

Peter Lark relayed Bill Fulkerson's report that he has collected copies of other sections' bylaws and will be circulating them to other committee members shortly.

2. Bar Journal Theme Issue Committee

Sharon Feldman reported that there are approximately 7 articles lined up for the issue and it appears that there will be enough to fill the issue. The committee will be sending information on style/format and deadlines to the authors.

Old Business

1. Quarterly

Erick Williams reported that they are continuing to develop an issue on immigration and naturalization service issues. They have a commitment for an article on the legal aspects and a lead on an article regarding other aspects of the issue.

Peter Lark conveyed Bill Fulkerson's report that he has been attempting to contact the Detroit College of Law Academic Dean and will continue to pursue that contact for a possible law student to do case updates for the Quarterly.

Peter Lark also reported that he will be following up with Dean LeDuc regarding an article for the Quarterly and possible Cooley Law School involvement in updates for the Quarterly on an ongoing basis.

New Business

1. Proposed Amendments to Michigan Rules of Professional Conduct re Multidisciplinary Practice

Members discussed the proposed amendments and authorized Chair Diane Royal to draft a letter to the Bar recommending that they proceed with caution given the complexity of the issues involved, including the need to protect the integrity of the legal profession and the legal system, as well as the need to protect clients' interest in the independence and accountability of the legal profession and the protection of confidentiality.

2. Active Committee to Address Changes to the APA

Diane Royal requested that council members who are interested in serving on this committee contact her.

3. Committee to Address Changes to Administrative Rules on Administrative Proceedings

Diane Royal reported that Mike Zimmer said the proposed rules had been distributed to Administrative Law Judges for comments and would be issued soon. Erick Williams confirmed that the draft had been circulated.

Diane requested that council members who are interested in serving on the committee contact her.

4. Partnering with Others Sections

Peter Lark relayed Bill Fulkerson's report that the Labor Law Section may be interested in working with our section on an ICLE training or on jointly sponsoring a speaker at the Annual Meeting, although their meeting typically is in the afternoon.

The Council discussed other possible partnerships and it was agreed that the idea of partnering on a seminar or other activities should be discussed further at future meetings.

5. Contribution to the State Bar Access to Justice Fund

On a motion by Kay Hansen, seconded by Peter Lark, the Council agreed that 10% of the Section's fund balance on December 15, 2000 should be sent as a contribution to the State Bar Access to Justice fund. Tom Sparks agreed to contact the State Bar to determine the balance in the Section's account as of that date.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:05 p.m.