ARKANSAS BAR fOUNDATION by: Randall W. Ishmael
"The idea of a bar foundation could hardly be classified as revolutionary. Indeed, bar foundations of various types have been in existence for many years, and have been employed for a number of differing purposes. With a few notable exceptions, however, bar foundations have tended to be passive organizations, often seeking nothing more than a single purpose related to the tax advantage it could provide. According to the 1978 survey taken by the National Conference of State Bar Foundations, it is evident that most bar foundations have amounted to little more than rather inactive committees of the state or local bar association. It frequently has no genuine autonomy from the bar, and its ambitions often stopped with its acting as a depository for a few memorial or other special purpose contributions. "-The Bar Foundation-Recognizing a Professional and Public Responsibility (1979)
The Arkansas Bar Foundation is one of the notable exceptions. It is an ongoing organization-ever growing, developing and producing. In fact, in The Bar Foundation, the Arkansas Bar Foundation is reported as one of, if not the, best among the state bar foundations--even its Constitution and By-Laws are published in the Appendices "as the way to go." The Arkansas Bar Foundation's fine reputation around the Country is enigmatic to members of the Arkansas Bench and Bar, even to those lawyers who are familiar with it. However, most lawyers know little about "the" Foundation. We want all to know "all" about our organization. Let's discuss some of its current projects, 82/Arkansas Lawyer/July 1983
(1) "You and the Law" is a T.V. series of 1D color 3D-minute film to be introduced late in February 1983 on Educational T.V. in Arkansas. The series has been prepared under the auspices of the School of Law, University of Arkansas, with funding by the Arkansas Bar Foundation. Associate Dean David Malone serves as producer and moderator. Each film is shot in different locales with lawyers from across the State. Each subject is treated for the lay person, and is independent of the others. Changes can be made in each film, as the related law changes. Three more subjects are proposed for future filming.
appointed to review the Constitution and By-Laws, with a view to updating some of the functions of the Foundation. A report on their findings and recommendations will be made in our next column.
(2) The Bar Disciplinary StUdy Committee (John P. Gill, Chairman; John F. Stroud, Jr.; and Ralph M. Cloar, Jr.) has completed its project on new Rules of the Supreme Court Regulating Professional Conduct of Attorneys-at-Law-a near 1Do-page effort with the research. Again, the Foundation was involved in underwriting the project financially.
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(3) The Special Committee to Review ABA Standards of Criminal Justice (Judge John Fogleman, Chairman) has about completed the comparative analyses with Arkansas law-with a Foundation grant. Space does not permit the recounting of the many other projects of the Arkansas Bar Foundation. The three selected cover public legal education, Bar discipline and standards for criminal justice. What is more important is the par excellence of the treatment of these subjects and the permanent contribution to the Law. We are not content to "rest on our laurels." Two committees have been
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WE "'"C"''''OWLEOGE WITH G*AT[;I'l,)t. AW*[;CIATION
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