At its Feb. 23 meeting, the NHBA Board of Governors reviewed progress to date by various groups considering the driving forces and potential directions of the legal profession in New Hampshire in the future, including the results of feedback by attendees at the Midyear Meeting “Future of the Legal Profession” CLE. The focus of the Board’s discussion of these topics, said NHBA President Richard Uchida, should be on how the Association can play a role in influencing the direction of change, and in assisting lawyers in adapting and making their practices relevant for legal clients today and tomorrow.

In addition to the participation of attorneys at the Midyear CLE and the Fall Retreat at Loon Mountain last September, the Board heard reports on the progress of the Supreme Court Task Force on the Status of the Legal Profession, which conducted a number of focus groups and is now considering what recommendations to make.

Foremost among the concerns of Bar members expressed in a variety of forums to date were such issues as:

• forms of attorney compensation; developing alternatives to the billable hour;
• effectively communicating to potential clients and to the general public the value of legal services and counsel;
• what role the courts can play in making the legal system more predictable in
• order to reduce risks for lawyers and clients in negotiating fees;
• how the playing field can be leveled for attorneys representing clients who are facing pro se litigants while not creating undue advantages for either side;
• the need for the Bar, in a cost-effective manner, to provide more guidance on law practice management and technology.

            An e-mail discussion group (listserv) that will first be made available to attendees at the Midyear Meeting CLE and include members of the Board, has been created to foster continuing discussion on these issues.

The Board also considered a proposal from the Public Protection Fund Committee concerning the refinement of procedures for the appeal of decisions by the PPF Committee. Under Rule 55, appeals of decisions by the Committee go directly to the NH Supreme Court that may appoint a panel to review the evidence based on the written record. However, there is no process by which the Committee is notified that an appeal has been filed, nor is there an opportunity for the Committee to further explain its decisions. Board members discussed various options for potential changes to the rule to improve the fairness of the process to all involved.

The Board ratified its opposition to HB1768 which seeks to make the NHBA a voluntary organization and prohibit governmental entities from paying association dues.

After discussion, the Board voted to allow the International Law Section to voice its concerns regarding the alleged mistreatment of a lawyer by the government in China. The NHBA Board decided against issuing a resolution on the issue in the name of the Bar as an organization.

NHBA Executive Director Jeannine McCoy provided an update on the relocation of the Bar Association headquarters to Two Pillsbury Street, the former Blue Cross & Blue Shield office building in Concord. The move is expected to occur in early June 2006.

The Board also authorized the reappointment of Walter L. Maroney and Pamela Peterson as NHBA appointees to the Pro Bono Governing Board.

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