VIBA Committee - PDF document

1 VIBA Committee Description
VIBA Committee Description Access to Justice Committee This committee shall propose and implement improvements to provide better access to the justice system for those in need , address issues affecting legal services programs and domestic violence preve ntion programs , and suggest improvement for the courts, such as appointment of counsel. Awards and Memorials Committee This committee shall, with the consent of a majority of the Board of Governors, confer appropriate recognition and honors upon persons who have rendered outstanding service to the legal profession and the Virgin Islands Community. Bar Journal Committee This committee shall be responsible for producing, editing, and publishing our publications, including The Virgin Islands Bar Journal, the Virgin Islands Law Letter . Bylaws Committee This committee shall analyze our Bylaws and propose amendments as necessary . Client Protection Committee The Standing Committee on Client Protection works to fulfill the American Bar Association’s goals to develop and strengthen client protection mechanism, including programs to reimburse financial loss caused by lawyers’ misappropriation of client funds. The Committee offers its services, expertise and resources to jurisdictions throughout the United States and Canada. The Committee works with the staff and administrators of client protection programs, which are typically a component of the jurisdiction’s lawyer regulatory system. The services include: on - site consultations with study committees esta blished by the highest court of the jurisdiction or the bar association, participation in public forums, assistance in establishing pilot programs and on - site consultations regarding specific client protection programs. The programs developed by the Commi ttee protect the members of the public and serve as educational tools for the profession. Special Events Committee This committee shall arrange and manage various events both for entertainment and for matters of particular concern to the members of the V irgin Islands Bar. Judiciary Com mittee The committee shall accept reports or complaints from the Bar or the public on the judges, and investigate and make recommendations regarding same; shall conduct intensive investigation of all judicial candidates an d submit a report to the appointive power and Board of Governors with its recommendations; and shall conduct and report on an ongoing evaluation annually of all judges in the Virgin Islands . Lawyer’s Assistance P rogram Committee This committee shall cont inue the process of creat ing and implement ing a program to provid

2 e assistance to members of the Virgin I
e assistance to members of the Virgin Islands Bar Association who suffer from substance abuse and addiction . Legal Education and Admission to the Bar Committee This committee shall oversee the development and execution of the Virgin Islands Bar CLE program to ensure the availability of a wide variety of on - island educational programs for members of the Bar. Legislation and Law Reform Committee This committee shall advocate, by proper and ethical means, the adoption or repeal of such legislation as may be recommended by the Board of Governors and the Bar. Professional Ethics and Grievance Committee This Committee ad here to the Model Rules of Professional Conduct and Code of Judicial Conduct as adopted by the American Bar A s sociation shall be the code of ethics for the Virgin Islands Bar. Public Education and the Law Committee This committee shall promote the public understanding of the law and its role in society. The Committee shall conduct educational programs designed to educate and inform the Virgin Islands community about law and the justice system. Scholarship Committee This committee shall undertake fund - raising activities for maintaining and enhancing the so lvency of our scholarship fund s , establish the guidelines by which scholarships shall be granted, and plan, solicit, screen and otherwise grant scholarship s to law students from the Virgin Islands who plan to engage in the practice of law in therein . Tec hnology Committee This committee will work with the Bar Journal Committee to improve the Bar's web site; evaluate technology issues as they relate to the legal profession and the administration of justice; and advise the Bar on the technology needs of its members and ways in which it can meet those needs. Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee This committee is charged by the Virgin Islands Supreme Court to investigate all complaints against any person not authorized to practice law in the Virgin Islands , who is alleged to be performing acts or services constituting the practice of law; to take action as necessary against and to prevent the unauthorized practice of law within the Territory. Young Lawyers Committee This committee shall further the objec tives of the Virgin Islands Bar, stimulate the interest of young lawyers in the activities of the Bar; conduct programs of interest and value to young lawyers and those recently admitted to practice; be of assistance to the Bar and its other committees; as sist in the establishment of young lawyer organizations in both judicial districts, and promote the involvement of all lawyers in public service activities