IMPORTANT MEETING HIGHLIGHTS

Board Training

Board training is a cornerstone of effective governance. It orients new members to their roles and responsibilities, provides a refresher for returning members, and offers an opportunity for all members to connect in a setting that is less formal than a regular meeting. This year’s session focused on building a foundation for effective leadership.

Through exercises and scenarios, board members examined:

• Their responsibilities as association leaders;
• The relationship between the board, individual members, and administrators; and
• The role of a mandatory bar, including the significance of Keller v. State Bar of California in guiding decisions.

At the conclusion of the training, local attorneys joined board members for a CLE presentation by Assistant Bar Counsel Bruce Hahn, “Civility: A Core Ethical Obligation for Attorneys.”

Approvals

The board approved the following items:

• June 11, 2025, minutes
• Alternative Dispute Resolution officer appointments
• Elder Law Section dues
• Paralegal Division bylaws
• Senior Lawyers Section officers and bylaws
• Uniform bylaws for sections
• Attorney resignations
• ALPS business partner renewal

Appointments

The board approved appointments to:

• Nevada Lawyer Editorial Board
• Board of Bar Examiners
• Character and Fitness Committee
• Transitioning into Practice mentors
• Transitioning into Practice Committee
• Lawyer Advertising Advisory Committee

REPORTS

President's Report

President Kari Stephens reported on recent meetings, including the National Conference of Bar Presidents (NCBP), which she attended along with President-Elect Cathy Mazzeo and Executive Director Kimberly Farmer. Stephens noted that NCBP offered valuable opportunities to engage with bar leaders nationwide and exchange insights on developments within different jurisdictions.

Key topics explored at NCBP included:

• Leveraging AI to expand pro bono legal services;
• Addressing the justice gap in service delivery; and
• Sustaining DEI programs amid shifting landscapes.

Looking ahead, Stephens highlighted goals tied to the 2024–2026 Strategic Plan, with particular focus on advancing civility and professionalism in the legal community. A central initiative idea is an upcoming Law Day event, during which attorneys statewide will gather at courthouses to reaffirm their oath of office.

This initiative will serve as a visible reminder of the values that define the profession — honor, integrity, courtesy, and professionalism. By bringing attorneys together in a shared setting, Law Day will reinforce the plan’s commitment to:

• Promoting civility and respect among practitioners and in the courtroom;
• Building stronger connections across diverse practice settings—urban, rural, solo, and large firm; and
• Strengthening public trust in the legal profession.

Financial Report

Finance Director Marc Mersol provided an overview of the July 31, 2025, financial report. Mersol noted that overall, the year-to-date net revenue for all activities is $482,315. He also reviewed the balance of the Client Security Fund (CSF), confirming it exceeds the minimum required under policy. Following discussion, the board approved waiving the transfer of funds to the CSF for 2026.

Office of Bar Counsel (OBC)

Bar Counsel Daniel Hooge and Assistant Bar Counsel Bruce Hahn presented discipline statistics covering intake, investigations, and hearings. The OBC aims to keep active cases under 250. This goal allows for about half of cases (125) to be in the investigation phase and half of the remaining cases (125) split between the intake, screening, and hearing phases.

2025 grievance volume continues to outpace 2024’s average (111.5 per month).

• Intake processed 183 more grievances through July 2025 than during the same period in 2024.
• Notwithstanding 2025’s higher volume of grievances, intake continues to process matters efficiently to keep pending matters in the 30s, well below our goal of 100.
• Intake counsel reports that he has seen a significant increase in the number of grievants using AI to write their grievances over the last quarter. AI grievances are light on facts and heavy on conclusions of potential rule violations. OBC will monitor this trend to see if it affects intake’s efficiency and what changes, if any, the state bar should make.

DISCUSSION

Rule of Law Statement

The board reconsidered issuing a public statement affirming support for the rule of law, specifically addressing challenges to judicial independence, the profession, and the rule of law itself. The board voted to proceed and appointed a taskforce to draft a statement for consideration at the November 13, 2025 meeting.

GENERATIVE DISCUSSION

CLE Group Discounts

In support of strategic priorities, the board discussed offering discounted rates for groups of five or more registering for CLE programs. The board was generally supportive but requested additional details on eligible groups and discount structures. Staff will prepare a proposal for future consideration.

ACTION

Higher Logic

To advance goals of inclusivity and to assist lawyers in navigating technology and AI, the board approved a contract with Higher Logic. The software integrates with the membership database, offering online forums for section activities and automated communications. The platform will enhance engagement, member value, and community connection.