Committees
Standing committees oversee the work of the Association in such areas of legal technology, member services, judicial evaluations, delivery of legal services and legal education. Currently The Iowa State Bar Association has 35 standing committees with over 250 members participating in their leadership.
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Administrative Committee
This committee shall be charged with authority to act between meetings of the Board of Governors relative to administrative, legislative, policy matters and matters pertaining to the Headquarters office of the Association, including the hiring and discharge of personnel, compensation, purchase of office equipment and other similar matters. This committee shall make a report of its activities at each meeting of the Board of Governors.
American Citizenship
This committee shall have jurisdiction of all questions in the field of American citizenship and of the American form of government with respect to education and understanding of both the privileges and responsibilities thereof. It may make awards to students and others, recognizing excellence in American citizenship.
Annual Meeting
This committee shall, with the advice and consent of the President, and with the assistance of the Headquarters staff, make arrangements for the annual meeting of the Association, including the programs and entertainment to be presented in connection therewith. The proposed budget for the annual meeting shall be submitted to the Administrative Committee for its approval.
Appellate Practice
This committee shall work to improve the Appellate practice and interface with the restructuring efforts of the Supreme Court.
Award of Merit
This committee shall be charged with the duty of selecting and nominating for election by the Board of Governors one or more members of The Iowa State Bar Association to receive the annual Award of Merit of The Iowa State Bar Association. The nominations shall be presented to the Board of Governors no later than the spring meeting of the Board in each year. Upon presentation of the name or names of the candidates for the consideration of the Board of Governors, additional nominations may be made from the floor. Upon the closing of the nominations, the members of the Board of Governors shall proceed by secret written ballot to select the recipient(s) of the Award of Merit for the year. A majority vote of a quorum present shall be required for selection.
Bar Insurance Plans
Bench-Bar Conference
This committee shall plan and sponsor one or more conferences between members of the judiciary and members of.
Continuing Legal Education
This Committee shall work to assure, through the various Divisions, Sections and Committees of the corporation, the delivery to Iowa’s lawyers of the finest in timely, informative, comprehensive and thorough continuing legal education seminars throughout the year and throughout the state.
Economic Development
The purpose of this committee is to provide education about the various state, local and federal economic development programs, services and resources that are available. It also provides, through the ISBA Web site, an online Web portal consisting of helpful resources, case studies and a bulletin board for attorneys who are assisting businesses and communities with economic development efforts.
Ethics and Practice Guidelines
Federal Practice
This committee shall deal with matters of concern to lawyers practicing in the federal court system. It shall sponsor CLE events satisfying the federal CLE requirements and shall update from time to time the Federal Practice Manual.
Independence of the Judiciary
This Committee is to investigate charges made in the press and otherwise, against judges. The Committee will prepare a timely public response to unfair criticism against judges and the judiciary under guidelines created for this purpose.
Iowa Jury Instructions
This Committee shall study and produce drafts of recommended uniform jury instructions for the approval of the Board of Governors. It shall monitor published instructions and modify them from time to time as required.
Iowa LawPAC
LawPAC is a nonpartisan organization that supports candidates of both major political parties. Its Board of Directors membership is equally divided among the two major political parties. LawPAC’s goals are to strive to improve state government by stimulating lawyers to become a more active and effective voice in its affairs; to be supportive of the political and legislative activities officially supported by The Iowa State Bar Association; and to provide financial support to candidates for nomination and election to the Iowa General Assembly. A one year membership is available to all members of the ISBA. An active membership is $50 and a sustaining member would be $100. Your dues billing statement has a convenient space to include this fee when you are renewing your membership in the ISBA.
Judicial Administration
This Committee shall study and report from time to time on ways and means to improve the administration of justice.
Law Practice Management
This Committee shall provide an organization available to lawyers who are concerned with the improvement of the means and methods by which the practice of law is conducted and to study developments in legal systems, equipment, procedures and such other areas as the Committee may select. Recommendations will be disseminated through seminars, publications, and by such other means as the Committee may select.
Lawyers Helping Lawyers
This committee is charged with the responsibility of providing guidance and assistance to members of the legal profession and their families who encounter problems which are related to drug, alcohol, or other chemical dependency or abuse. It shall also recommend to the Board such programs as it deems appropriate, to be presented to the membership in this area of concern, and also in the area of stress management.
Legal Aid
This committee shall be concerned with the means and methods by which members of the Association provide legal aid to indigent persons. It shall coordinate activities with other pro bono groups when possible and shall report to the Board of Governors its recommendations.
Legal Forms
Legal Heritage
This committee shall collect all data obtainable touching upon the past history of the Bar of Iowa and the members thereof shall receive all papers and data referred to it and, subject to the approval of the Board of Governors, arrange such matter for publication.
Membership
This committee is charged with the responsibility of soliciting for membership in the Association, all eligible persons as stated in the Policy of the Association contained in Section 2 of Article III of these By-laws. It shall work with the secretary and the headquarters staff, when requested, in the collection of delinquent dues.
Military Affairs
To act as resource and liaison between the members of all branches and composites of the Armed Forces, especially the attorneys of each branch, and the attorneys and judges of the State of Iowa in order to better serve the legal needs of members of the Armed Forces of the United States.
Public Relations
This committee shall work closely with the Director of Communications and the Secretary to improve its relationship between this Association and the public, the media, other professional groups, and government officials and agencies. The objective of this committee shall be to create and maintain a good public image of the legal profession and of this Association.
Scope and Correlation
Ways and Means Committee
This committee shall prepare and present an annual budget; shall keep itself informed on all matters relating to the finances of the Association and the financing of its activities, and shall perform such other duties as the Board of Governors may from time to time direct.
Women and Minorities
This committee shall continue the work of the study committee which preceded it and shall assist the Board of Governors in assuring fair treatment and opportunities for all attorneys practicing in this state.
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