September 2021
MEMBER NEWSLETTER Periodic E-Newsletter Focusing on Arkansas Bar Association Members
ARKBAR HAPPENINGS
September 2021 SUNDAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY
WEDNESDAY
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THURSDAY
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FRIDAY
SATURDAY
3 Public Service 4 Academy Applications Due
AR Free Legal Answers Clinic
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13 Governance Drafting Committee Meeting
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Construction Law Section Meeting
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AR Free Legal Answers Clinic
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Environmental Law Section Meeting
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30 Tax Appeals Commission Applications Due
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Oyez! Oyez! Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government has named E.J. Ball Professor of Law Uche Ewelukwa Ofodile a Senior Fellow of the Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government for the 2021-22 academic year.
The College of Labor and Employment Lawyers announced the election of John D. Coulter of McMath Woods P.A. as a new Fellow. Arkansas Economic Developers & Chamber Executives recognized Kimberly B. Dale of Branch, Thompson, Warmath & Dale as Volunteer of the Year.
Meg Johnston with Mitchell Williams was named to the board of directors at Farmers & Merchants Bank.
Jamie Huffman Jones of Friday, Eldredge & Clark was recently presented with the prestigious Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel Joseph R. Olshan Award for her leadership and outstanding work with the Amicus & Public Policy Committee in advancing the positions of our members on a variety of issues relevant to our profession and the fair administration of justice. Standards for Examination of Real Estate Titles in Arkansas 2021 Edition Standards for Examination of Real Estate Titles in Arkansas Now Available! 2021 Edition Prepared and Edited by: A Joint Subcommittee of The Real Estate Law and Natural Resources Law Sections of the Arkansas Bar Association J. Cliff McKinney, Chair Angela Mathews, Secretary Members at Large: C. Michael Daily Lynn Foster Catelyn Gibbs C. Wesley Lasseigne Charles Ward Darrin Davidson Lindsey Gustafson Robbi Rosenbaum FULL COURT PRESS
ArkBar Deskbooks on Arkansas law are available in print, pdf and as part of the Fastcase legal research tool. Go to: www.arkbar.com/for-attorneys/ publications/practice-handbooks
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On Oct. 22, the UA Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law will celebrate 45 years since the Arkansas General Assembly enacted legislation making it the University of Arkansas at Little Rock School of Law. This also marks the law school’s 55th year as the night program of the University of Arkansas Law School. During the celebration, Bowen will recognize three distinguished alumni: The Honorable Joyce Williams Warren, Sherry Bartley with Mitchell Williams and Price Gardner with the Friday Firm. Each was nominated by their peers for their contributions to the legal community, their commitment to legal education, and their leadership within the state. The Arkansas Bar Association recently received an Excellence in Communication Award from the Arkansas Society of Association Executives for its Member Newsletter.
Honoring Members of the U.S. Armed Forces In honor of Veterans Day, we will honor ArkBar members who have been a member of the U.S. Armed Forces in our Fall issue of The Arkansas Lawyer and with a special online feature. If you know of someone, including yourself, who is not on our list, please send to Anna Hubbard at ahubbard@arkbar.com. View the full online feature here
Summary of General Legislation from the 93rd General Assembly As a member benefit, the Arkansas Bar Association provides a summary of general legislation from the 93rd General Assembly. Please click on the link below to review all of the new Acts passed during the 2021 Regular Legislative Session: Also, on behalf of the Association’s Legislation Committee, many thanks to all of you who provided comments, suggestions and edits on bills of interest throughout the session. We could not do it without your help and support. https://www. arkleg.state.ar.us/Bureau/
Pro Bono CLE Opportunities
Volunteer for an upcoming AR Free Legal Answers Clinic. At these clinics, attorneys and law student volunteers work together to answer questions received from low-and moderate-income Arkansans who can’t afford an attorney. The September 3rd and 17th clinics take place on Zoom from noon to 1pm CT. https://www.signupgenius.com/ go/10c0d4ea4ac2ca1fac16-september This program qualifies for your Pro Bono CLE. Attorneys can claim one hour of credit for every 3 hours of pro bono work, with a maximum of 3 hours of credit per CLE year according to Rule 4 of the Rules for Minimum Continuing Legal Education.
ArkBar offers free job postings for employers.
arkbar.com/jobs
Qualified Candidates Needed for New Tax Appeals Commission Applications due September 30
The Arkansas Bar Association is now accepting applications from qualified attorneys with a deep knowledge in tax for the position of Commissioner on Arkansas’ new Independent Tax Appeals Commission. Act 586 was signed into law on April 6, 2021, creating an Independent Tax Appeals Commission within the Department of the Inspector General to resolve disputes between taxpayers and the Department of Finance and Administration (DFA). This Commission will replace the current DFA Appeals Office, providing a more balanced system and means for resolving controversies with DFA before a neutral body. The Tax Appeals Commission will be made up of three commissioners: one attorney, one CPA, and then one dual-licensed attorney/CPA who will serve as the chief commissioner. These three commissioners will be appointed by Governor Asa Hutchinson from a pool of nine candidates, three candidates each being recommended by the Arkansas Bar Association, the Arkansas Supreme Court, and the Arkansas Society of CPAs. Commissioners will have staggered nine-year terms and cannot serve more than two terms. Each commissioner will receive an annual salary and benefits comparable to the salary and benefits provided to state district court judges. Matt Boch and Michael Pollock from the Little Rock law firm of Dover Dixon Horne PLLC have written a blog that clearly explains the purpose of the Commission and how it will operate. The Arkansas Bar Association and Tax Section are looking for qualified candidates to consider for the Bar’s commissioner nomination. Candidates must be licensed to practice law in Arkansas and must possess substantial knowledge of Arkansas tax law. Nominees will be submitted to the Arkansas Bar Association Board of Trustees for final approval before making a formal recommendation to the Governor later this year. If you are interested in serving on the Arkansas Tax Appeals Commission, please send your name and resume, and any additional helpful information, including any preferred letters of recommendation, to Jay Robbins at JRobbins@arkbar.com no later than September 30, 2021. 3
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Upcoming Events on CLE CENTRAL October 15: Labor & Employment (3-hour webinar) October 20: Legal Writing (1-hour webinar) October 29: Government (3-hour webinar) November 3: Tax (1-hour webinar) November 9-12: Mid-Year Meeting (Virtual) November 17: Construction Law (2-hour webinar)
On-Demands Always Available at www.pathlms.com/arkbar
ALL VIRTUAL
MID-YEAR
MEETING NOVEMBER 9:
PROBATE & TRUST – 6 HOURS
NOVEMBER 10:
TAX LAW – 6 HOURS
NOVEMBER 11:
FAMILY LAW – 3 HOURS NEW! APPELLATE LAW – 2 HOURS
NOVEMBER 12:
ELDER LAW – 6 HOURS BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING
LIVE STREAMING NOVEMBER 9-12, 2021 8
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MORE INFORMATION COMING SOON www.arkbar.com/midyearmeeting/home
2021-2022 Public Service Academy Why to Run; When to Run; How to Run Supporting the Service-Minded Lawyer at Every Step Little Rock November 12-13, 2021 Fayetteville February 18-19, 2022 The Arkansas Bar Association and the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service, in association with UA Little Rock Bowen School of Law and the University of Arkansas School of Law, announce the 2nd Public Service Academy for member lawyers and law students who are interested in public service in any capacity.
applications due september 3 available at www.arkbar.com/cle--events/public-service-academy
ArkBar LEGAL LEADERS ArkBar Legal Leaders is a program that recognizes legal firms and organizations who support all of their attorneys being involved in the legal profession by being members of the Arkansas Bar Association.
View the list of Legal Leaders at arkbar.com/ for-attorneys/leaders
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