Sep 22, 2011 ... The meeting was called to order by Chair Tom Forbes at 3:30 p.m. (PDT). 2.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES. Motion to Approve the Minutes (see ...
CORRECTED MINUTES STATE LAW RESOURCES, INC. BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2011 THE NINES HOTEL PORTLAND, OR 3:30 P.M. PDT ATTENDANCE Board Members: Tom Forbes (TX), Chair Peck Fox (AL), Vice Chair Tommie Cardin (MS) Denise Dragoo (UT) Joel Gilbertson (ND) Jane Murphy (CT) John Knapp (MN) Patrick Paul (AZ) By Conference Call: Kevin Murray (IN), Secretary David Kramer (NE) Former Chairs: Brad Cahoon (UT) Paul Cosgrove (OR) Sherry Doctorian (MO) Steve Merksamer (CA) John Pellecchia (NJ) Bob Stocker (MI), Assistant Treasurer Officers: Grady Rankin, President Sandra Rankin, Vice President John Flatley
AGENDA ITEMS 1.
CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by Chair Tom Forbes at 3:30 p.m. (PDT).
2.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion to Approve the Minutes (see attached) from the last meeting was made by Denise Dragoo; Motion was seconded by Jane Murphy. Minutes were approved by voice vote.
3.
INTRODUCTION Welcome John Flatley. John’s firm, Association Management Strategies, will assume management of SLR on January 1, 2012.
4.
FINANCIAL Financial information through August of 2012 – Grady Rankin (see attached). Bank balance is $120,000. Sandra Rankin requested confirmation of continued membership in the State Government Affairs Council. There was discussion regarding membership in the SGAC. Paul Cosgrove made a motion that we continue for 2012. Peck Fox seconded the motion. Motion was approved by voice vote.
5.
MEMBERSHIP ISSUES Expansion and replacement of SLR member firms. Neil G. Westesen from Crowley Fleck PLLP is a guest at this meeting. His firm is interested in membership from Montana. Please welcome Neil to SLR when you meet him. See www.crowleyfleck.com. Jones Vargas (NV) is not renewing. Joe Brown suggested Michael Dayton of McDonald Carano Wilson LLP (www.mcdonaldcarano.com) as a possible replacement. Snell & Wilmer is also interested in NV. (Greg Brower, formerly with Jones Vargas, was active in SLR). Peck Fox: Do we need to broaden the tent? See if there are other firms to be considered in NV? Brad Cahoon: Snell & Wilmer, AZ, suggested adding UT. Similar situation that has worked well for SLR.
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Porter Wright is not renewing. Kevin Murray has talked with Dan Massey. Dan suggested SLR contact Vorys, Sater, Seymour & Pease. Tom Forbes suggested the Hahn firm from Cleveland. Steve Merksamer: A State Capitol presence is very important for members of SLR. ME – Pierce Atwood (John Gulliver) seemed interested but could not attend the spring or fall meeting. ME – Charlie Soltan has expressed interest. We need to check if he has an affiliation with a full service law firm. Sherry Doctorian: Possible reduced fee for ME? (ME had in-bound referrals historically per Peck Fox). WY – Bob Ferm has done research on a firm. See www.thompsongroupllc.com. (**From Bob Ferm: After the meeting, Sandra Rankin spoke with Bill Thompson (Cell: 307-631-7180; Office: 307-632-5300). He is interested in speaking with someone from SLR. He apparently has quite a book of legislative business and is highly regarded in Wyoming.) Other Firms in WY: Brent Kunz Hathaway and Kunz 307-634-7723 (Tim Daley recommended SLR contact them) Dave Friedenthal Crowell and Mooring (Former Governor) Dan Sullivan 307-235-6449 States to be filled: DE HI ID IA NH VT ME OH 3
NV (Snell & Wilmer) WY Should SLR consider enlarging Canadian membership? Canadian provinces have oil and gas interests. Canada is also considered the Gateway to the East. In Canada: 9 provinces plus the Northern Territory – Bob Stocker Places our group should target: Quebec, BC, Toronto (Dickinson Wright has a 30 person office that could assist). UT Brad Cahoon – Completed a paper mill deal which made it clear to him that each province is very different. AZ Patrick Paul – We should talk with Manny and Cameron to see what suggestions they might have. We should consider the proposed Alberta to Texas pipeline. State Capital Law Group: www.statecapitallaw.org. They have members in every US state and most of the countries in the world. They support regional meetings, practice group meetings, US meetings and international meetings. 6.
NOMINATING COMMITTEE: The Nominating Committee has suggested the following members for positions: Chair: Peck Fox Vice Chair: Steve Morgan Board Members: Class of 2012: Denise Dragoo (UT) Joel Gilbertson (ND) Class of 2013: Andrew Whitehead (UK) Jane Murphy (CT) Patrick Paul (AZ) Tommie Cardin (MS) Class of 2014: Doug Bell (FL) Kevin Gordon (OK) Matty Lopes (RI)
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Referrals: Continue to be an issue. Some members make referrals but do not report them. Firm blast emails for assistance do not report if SLR firm is contacted or engaged. Internal communication within firms is not good. 7.
MEETINGS: Future meetings: New Orleans – April 19-21, 2012 Fall 2012 meeting to be discussed with general membership. Washington DC – Spring 2013
8.
REMARKS TO THE RANKINS: Congratulations and thanks by SLR Board for the leadership, hard work, and deep friendship offered by Grady and Sandra Rankin.
9.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
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10.
ADJOURNMENT Motion to adjourn was made, and by consent, the Board Meeting was adjourned. Respectfully submitted,
Kevin Charles Murray SLR Secretary INDLibrary2 LR04459.0943231 1070069v1
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