Thursday, May 9, 2024

State Bar of Nevada eNews

Bankruptcy Court Seeks Attorneys to Serve on Local Rules Committee

State Bar of Nevada licensees have an opportunity to make a positive change to the bankruptcy practice in the District of Nevada.

Judge Hilary Barnes is recruiting members for the Local Rules Committee (LRC) to consider and discuss the local bankruptcy rules and suggest revisions/additions.

Once the revised rules are finalized, they will be subject to review and comment by the bench, bar, and public, retooled as necessary, and finally approved by the bench.

The potential subcommittees include:

• General Rules
• Adversary Proceedings
• Motion Practice
• Chapter 13
• Chapter 11

Meetings will be held in person and by video to facilitate full and active participation.

Anyone interested in serving on the LRC is asked to send an email to localrules@nvb.uscourts.gov by Friday, May 17, with the following information:

• Name
• Law Firm
• Area of Bankruptcy Practice
• Subcommittee interest(s)/suggestion(s)
• Email
• Telephone number.

Congratulations to Goldsmith & Guymon. This firm is the latest to receive the Partner in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Medallion from the State Bar of Nevada. The medallion is awarded to firms that complete at least five DEI initiatives in the categories of recruitment, retention, pipeline and community programs, and coaching and training. Download a flyer for more information on how to earn a DEI medallion or contact Judi DeMarco at judid@nvbar.org.

The Eighth Judicial District Court's Civil Bench Bar Meeting for May will be held at noon on Tuesday, May 14, in Courtroom D. Licensees can also access the meeting via Zoom. For the link and password, email denmanl@clarkcountycourts.us.

Pro Bono Challenge Sees Points Increase as Final Month Begins

May is the final month to volunteer for the Section Pro Bono Challenge. In April, points jumped from 627 to 853.

Participants get their points counted when they volunteer online or by reaching out to a preferred legal aid provider. Volunteering through May 31 for service completed in 2024 counts for the challenge. And remember, participants can earn CLE credit for pro bono.

Make a difference and feel great! Anyone can earn points, but if you list your section, you earn points for recognition. This includes the top volunteer from each of the top 10 sections joining a thank-you luncheon with the Nevada Supreme Court and Nevada Court of Appeals.

Check out the leaderboard. The top five sections in rank order by points as a percent of section participation are LGBTQ+, Bankruptcy, Probate and Trust, Family, and Public Lawyers.

State Bar Committees Seek Volunteers for Openings

The State Bar of Nevada is looking for qualified individuals to fill open positions on several volunteer boards. Apply online by May 16 for the following vacancies:

• The Board of Bar Examiners;
• The Character and Fitness Committee;
• The Clients’ Security Fund (CSF) Committee;
• The Lawyer Advertising Advisory Committee; and
• Bar Exam Graders.

The Northern and Southern disciplinary boards also seeking volunteer attorneys and lay members. Apply online by May 31 for the disciplinary board vacancies.

Bankruptcy Court Hosting Survey on Hearing Preferences

The bankruptcy judges for the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Nevada want State Bar of Nevada licensees’ input regarding in-person versus remote hearings. The Bankruptcy Court is authorized on a continuing basis to conduct hearings remotely. Each bankruptcy judge, however, is authorized to conduct in-person hearings on a case-by-case basis. Bankruptcy judges generally require in-person hearings in which live witness testimony is required. 

The Bankruptcy Court previously surveyed bar licensees on this topic in February 2022. The Bankruptcy Court was granted continuing authority to conduct remote hearings on March 4, 2024, but the bankruptcy judges would like to hear more.

The deadline for the survey is Friday, May 24.

Pro Bono Project Faces Immediate Need in Three Cases

The Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada’s (LACSN) Pro Bono Project needs assistance with three urgent family law cases. Please see more information below. If you are interested in volunteering, please email Assistant Director Genevieve Galman at ggalman@lacsn.org.

The cases with immediate need are:

• Case Number: 2023-013590: A sibling group of a 5-year-old girl, a 4-year-old boy, and a 1-year-old boy were removed by the Division of Child and Family Services (DFS) and are in the protective care of the department due to physical risk and inadequate supervision by the parents. At this time, these children need an attorney to represent their legal wishes and rights as to permanency, placement, and visitation and to ensure appropriate services are in place.

• Case Number: 2023-013593: A group of three siblings, a 15-year-old girl, a 13-year-old boy, and an 8-year-old-boy were removed from their home and came into DFS custody due to allegations of sexual abuse, physical abuse, and domestic violence. This case also involves their 16-year-old sibling, who is represented by another attorney. At this time, these three children are in need of an attorney to represent their legal wishes and rights as to permanency, placement, visitation, and to ensure appropriate services are in place.

• Case Number: 2023-013185: A group of three siblings, a 9-year-old girl, 2-year-old boy, and 8-month-old boy, were removed by DFS due to ongoing domestic violence in the presence of the children. The children are placed with a maternal aunt now. At this time, these children need an attorney to represent their legal wishes and rights as to permanency, placement, and visitation, and to ensure appropriate services are in place. 

To sign up for other pro bono cases, click here.

To sign up for the LACSN’s upcoming CLE Course “Introduction to Representing Children in Abuse and Neglect Cases,” from 3-5 p.m. on Thursday, June 20, register here. 

State Bar of Nevada

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