Appendix C - Standing Committees

APPENDIX C
 TO
 THE COLORADO BAR ASSOCIATION
 BYLAWS

STANDING COMMITTEES

Amicus Briefs Committee.  This Committee, with not more than five members, shall review applications for the CBA to participate as amicus in matters pending before federal and state courts in Colorado.   The Committee shall make recommendations to the Executive Council if CBA participation is appropriate and then review and suggest modification to proposed briefs, if necessary. 

Attorney Regulation Policy Committee.  This Committee shall hear and make recommendations to the Board of Governors so that the Board of Governors may in turn report recommendations as to the functioning, rules, and procedures of the Colorado State Supreme Court Attorney Regulation Committee. 

Availability of Legal Services Committee.  This Committee shall work for the expansion of legal services for all people regardless of their ability to pay; encourage lawyers to provide pro bono services; develop proposals to improve systems of low cost legal services; and assist local bar associations with public service programs.  This Committee shall also serve as the umbrella structure for those CBA Standing Committees whose goals include the availability of legal services.  Where appropriate, the Committee shall act as a resource/advisory panel to such committees. 

Awards Committee.  This Committee shall determine the recipient of the CBA Award of Merit and the inductees into the Colorado Bar Association Hall of Fame.  The Award of Merit shall be awarded annually to a member of the association for outstanding service to the association, outstanding service or contribution to the legal profession, outstanding contribution to the administration of justice, or outstanding service or contribution to the community.  The inductees into the Colorado Bar Association Hall of Fame shall be members of the CBA who have been deceased for 10 or more years and who are selected on the same criteria as the Award of Merit.  Inductees shall not exceed six each year, and their profiles shall be featured in the CBA's principle publication.  The Awards Committee may make such additional awards as may be designated by the Board of Governors. 

Budget and Planning Committee.  This Committee shall study the CBA's financial condition and submit to the Board of Governors a proposed budget for each fiscal year.  As part of the annual budgeting process, this Committee shall develop a strategic planning process, review and update the long range plan, and evaluate the progress of the association in meeting the goals set forth in the plan.  This Committee shall be composed of the Treasurer, who shall serve as the chair; the President?elect; one representative from the CBA Young Lawyers Division, who shall serve for one year; two Governors and two Executive Council members, who shall be appointed by the President and serve for one year; and three at?large members, who shall be appointed by the President and who shall serve staggered two?year terms as determined by the Board of Governors. 

Civil Rights Committee.  The Civil Rights Committee shall promote the civil rights of individuals and groups through legislative analysis and recommendations, educational activities, and community outreach. 

COBALT Committee.  This committee strives to facilitate and strengthen the leadership qualities of, and opportunities for, CBA members to enhance, promote and inspire leadership within the legal profession. This is accomplished through an interactive leadership training program designed specifically for lawyers with demonstrated leadership skills and commitment to the legal community. The program teaches leadership skills, but also focuses upon challenges faced by leaders in the legal community and the general community, and inspires and energizes program participants through a group learning experience. 

The Colorado Lawyer Board of Editors.   This Board shall set the editorial policy for the CBA=s monthly journal.  The Board, working with the managing editor of the journal, shall be responsible for overseeing the publication of the journal.  The Board shall consist of thirteen members, including the Executive Director.  Each member of the Board other than the Executive Director shall be appointed by the President for a term of three years, and no such member shall serve more than two consecutive terms.  The President shall, to the extent practicable, stagger appointments to the Board to achieve the goal that four appointments are made each year and shall have the power to appoint members for terms of less than three years to achieve this goal.  Vacancies on the Board shall be filled by appointment by the President for the unexpired terms.  In making appointments to the Board, the President shall use reasonable efforts to choose members from among the Districts, and the President shall consider and be sensitive to the diverse composition of the CBA membership so that all members may recognize that their interests and aspirations are being given serious attention by the Board.  The Board shall appoint a chair and a vice?chair from among its members, each of whom shall serve at the pleasure of the Board.  The chair and vice?chair, with the managing editor of the journal, shall determine the agenda for each meeting of the Board.  The Board shall meet quarterly or more often as determined by the chair. 

Diversity in the Legal Profession Committee.  This Joint Committee of the CBA and the Denver Bar Association shall identify, isolate, recommend, promote, and implement actions to remedy problems preventing the goal of full diversity in the legal profession. 

Ethics Committee.  This Committee shall give its opinion on questions of legal ethics presented to it by CBA members, and shall, from time to time, compile and publish such of its opinions as may be of general interest to the profession. 

Interprofessional Committee.  This Joint Committee of the CBA and Denver Bar Association shall be responsible for promoting better understanding among the professions and shall, subject to the approval of the Board of Governors, prepare any statements of principles governing interprofessional relations and recommend necessary corrective Colorado legislation governing professional groups. 

Joint Management Committee.  This Committee shall select the Executive Director pursuant to Section 7.2(b) of the Bylaws.  The Committee shall make studies and recommendations on all problems involving the joint operation of offices of the CBA and the Denver Bar Association, including staff salaries and fringe benefits, division of costs, office policies and procedures, and related matters, as well as any special problems referred to it by the President, governing board, or executive council or executive committee of either association.  The Committee shall consist of thirteen members:  the Presidents, Presidents?elect, Immediate Past Presidents and Treasurers of the respective associations, the Denver Bar Association's First Vice President, two members at large from the CBA and one member at large from the Denver Bar appointed by the respective presidents, and the chair, who shall be selected by the President of the CBA in odd numbered years and by the President of the Denver Bar Association in even numbered years. 

Lawyers Professional Liability Committee.  This Committee shall examine the extent of professional liability insurance coverage available to lawyers in Colorado; undertake periodic surveys of the legal malpractice insurance market to determine the number of carriers; and shall do periodic review of whether a "captive" insurance company would be appropriate for Colorado practitioners. 

Legal Fee Arbitration Committee.  This Committee shall arbitrate disputes between attorneys and clients concerning legal fees.  Subject to the approval of the Board of Governors, the Committee shall prescribe rules and procedures for submission of complaints concerning fee disputes for arbitration by the Committee. 

Legislative Policy Committee.  This Committee shall consist of thirteen members: the President; the President-elect; the Immediate Past President; and ten CBA members appointed by the President with the approval of the Executive Council, three of whom shall have been proposed by the caucus of Section representatives.  The Committee shall work with the CBA Director of Legislative Relations to advance the CBA’s legislative aims as determined by the Executive Council and Board of Governors.  The Committee shall follow the policies and procedures established by the CBA in furthering the association’s legislative program. 

Membership Services Committee.  This Committee shall assist the Director of Membership Services in recruitment and retention of members, and help examine benefits offered to members.

 Mock Trial Committee.  This Committee shall coordinate all aspects of the Colorado Mock Trial Program including preparing the annual case problem, conducting trainings for all participants, assisting with preparation of the regional tournaments, and coordinating the state competition.  The Committee also assists the state championship team with preparation for the national competition.  The Committee works to further promote and improve the mock trial program throughout the state. 

Paralegal Committee.  This Committee shall inform and educate paralegals and attorneys as to the role and utilization of paralegals in providing quality legal services. 

Professionalism Coordinating Council.This Council coordinates the Association’s efforts to improve professional conduct on the part of lawyers and judges in light of the Lawyers’ Oath of Admission to practice law in Colorado and the reasonable expectations of the bench, bar, and the public. 

Public Legal Education Committee.  The Committee strives to facilitate education of the public about the legal system and works with other institutions in the community in an effort to develop and provide law-related education as an appropriate part of general education at all levels in the state.  This is accomplished through ongoing programs such as public speaking on legal topics, developing model legal information clinics for pro se litigants (for use by local bar associations) and publishing legal resource materials for the public.