Jeffrey H.K. Sia  

HSBA President  

The Hawaii Supreme Court’s proposed rule defining the “practice of law” has received varied responses ranging from reasoned concerns, general support, and emotional “anti-lawyer” reactions.   In that latter category, some have accused lawyers of being “greedy” and of devising a “ploy to run (accountants, insurance companies, real estate agents, paralegals and others) out of business.”   Those accusations simply are not true.  

HSBA’s consumer protection committee has worked on the “unauthorized practice of law” issue for over 10 years based on the fundamental concern that individuals and organizations can be, have been, and are hurt by untrained, unlicensed and unregulated individuals who handle their legal matters.   The HSBA proposed a “practice of law” rule to the Hawaii Supreme Court last July, which led to the Court’s proposed rule, which was a revised version of HSBA’s proposal.    

25 states and the District of Columbia adopted similar rules over the years.   Nebraska, Wisconsin, and Connecticut proposed rules last year.  

The FTC has weighed in on this issue with certain proposed rules by other states, including Hawaii’s proposed rule, and while certainly expressing concerns about them, it has not sought to eliminate any “practice of law” rule. In fact, it has urged modification of proposed rules, such as Hawaii’s proposed rule, and as indicated, many other states (and the District of Columbia) have similar rules that have not been challenged by the FTC.  

Similarly, organizations locally have expressed their concerns, but also have recognized HSBA’s basic concern to protect consumers of legal services.   Several have asked about exceptions or exemptions and modification of such a rule.  

HSBA is working on modification of the proposed rule to submit to the Court and will work with local groups and the Court.   The HSBA will continue to keep you informed of all significant developments.  

2008 Annual Dinner  

Premiering the Winner of  

ALOHA STATE STORIES: The Promise of Justice for All  

At the Hawaii State Art Museum  

Catered by Ed Kenney and his Town/Downtown Kitchens  

Music by the Honolulu Jazz Quartet  

Join us for the 2008 Annual Dinner and walk the red carpet with the winner of Aloha State Stories: The Promise of Justice for All. This year’s dinner will benefit the Access to Justice effort.   Buy a Ticket or a Table!  Midsummer Night at the Movies proceeds will benefit the Access to Justice effort (via the Hawaii Justice Foundation), the Friends of Family Specialty Court (supporting and enhancing the lives of families and youth who participate in Juvenile Drug Court, Family Drug Court, and the Girls’ Court), and HSBA’s Public Service Account, supporting the YLD community programs.  

Enter the Video Contest  

Win the Grand Prize of $1,500 by creating an inspiring short video about the “promise of justice for all.”   The contest is open to all Hawaii residents. For contest rules and an entry form, see www.hsba.org.  

How can you help? Donate time to work on the committees!   AND donate treasures to the silent auction!  

To buy a ticket, a table, or to enter the Video Contest, visit www.hsba.org.  

Photos for the 2008-2009 Bar Directory  

If you have a new or updated photograph for the next annual Bar Directory, please email it to photos@hsba.org by April 30, 2008.  

Photo Specifications:  

• Email photo in “tif” format (Tag Image File Format)  
• Photo must have a minimum dpi of 300 (dots per inch)  

Applications Sought for Disciplinary Board  

Details Here  

Board Vacancy on  

Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation Board  

The Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation Board, which works to assert, protect, and defend Hawaiian land and traditional rights, will have a term expiring on its Board in September.   If you are interested in applying for this position, please refer to page 16 of the March Hawaii Bar Journal.   Please submit applications by April 30, 2008.  

Member Notice:  

HSBA does not share email addresses with third parties.    However, the HSBA Board has agreed to cooperate with the Judiciary’s Rule 19 Committee’s pilot project to electronically conduct their Judicial evaluation.  

To do this, we have agreed to upload directly to the third party software company conducting the Rule 19 evaluation the email addresses of all active members.   These email addresses are to be used solely for the evaluation and not shared with the Judiciary or any other party.    We have been assured and have confirmed that this process is secure.  

Your cooperation in this important process, and in the separate judicial evaluation process conducted by the HSBA in December annually, is encouraged as an important responsibility of our membership.  

April 18, 2008  

Drugs, Devices & Tort Liability: The Supreme Court Tilts the Playing Field  

Time: 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.  

Location: HSBA Conference Room, 1132 Bishop St., Ste. 906  

May 9-30, 2008  

Blockbuster Road Show: All Islands!  

Business Entity Forms Manual Seminar, with an emphasis on LLCs &  

Hawaii District Court Landlord Tenant Manual Update Seminar, 
Part II  

Register Now!   (Printable PDF)  

Dates and Locations:  

May 19 & 22, 2008  

Perfect Your Oral Argument & Speech Skills  

Orlando Bloom, Liam Neeson, Pierce Brosnan, Stephen Rea, Dudley Moore, and Sting have all studied Voice and Acting with CLARE DAVIDSON.   Here is your opportunity to perfect your oral argument and speech skills with nationally and internationally acclaimed Acting and Voice Coach CLARE DAVIDSON.  

Time: 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.  

Location: HSBA Conference Room  

2008 Annual Bar Convention  

Save the Date!   October 24, 2008 for the 2008 BAR CONVENTION at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort and Spa: Presenting exciting CLE programs and featuring our spell-binding speaker from the 2007 Annual Meeting, Professor Neal Katyal of Georgetown University.  

Join us for CASEMAKER 2.0 Training  

Every Other Tuesday through June  

If you have not been taking full advantage of your free legal research provider, now is the time to find out what you've been missing!

Webinars are also available:  

Tuesday, May 6  

Tuesday, May 20  

Tuesday, June 3  

Tuesday, June 17  

Register for a May or June webinar.  

System Requirements:  

PC-based attendees  

Required: Windows® 2000, XP Home, XP Pro, 2003 Server, Vista  

Macintosh®-based attendees  

Required: Mac OS® X 10.3.9 (Panther®) or newer  

Jill M. Hasegawa, YLD President  

Aloha: Your YLD is off to a busy start for 2008. We’re sending volunteers into 30 elementary classrooms for 94 presentations next week with the Junior Judges program.  

If you haven’t volunteered, there’s time for you to volunteer for neighborhood legal clinics on Saturday, April 26, 2008 or for Law Week legal line clinics from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. April 28 and 29.  

Our next project will be Ready for the World presentations during the Week of May 12—16. Help to educate high school juniors/seniors about the legal rights and responsibilities of adults!  

We have a project for YOU, whether with 4th graders, 12th graders or adults! Click here for more information on volunteering for YLD projects.  

For more information, or to volunteer, please contact Tammy Takara at ttakara@hsba.org or (808) 792-7338.  

Volunteer for the Junior Judges Project: No Experience Required!  

April 22-25, 2008  

YLD Needs more volunteers for our Junior Judges Project!    

If you are willing to sacrifice a few hours of your time to make an impact on these young children’s lives, please contact Tammy Takara at 792-7338 or ttakara@hsba.org.  

Junior Judges Volunteer Sign Up Form.  

36^th Annual Law Day Golf Tournament  

April 25, 2008  

36^th Annual Law Day Golf Tournament  

Friday, April 25, 2008  

Shotgun Start: 12:30 p.m.  

Mamala Bay Golf Course, Hickam AFB  

Entry: $100.00  

Active/Retired Military: $80.00  

Additional Banquet Guest: $30.00  

To Register, please call 539-4086.  

Law Week Neighborhood Clinics  

April 26, 2008  

Clinics will be offered at shopping centers in 6 Oahu locations on Saturday, April 26, 2008.  

YLD needs attorney volunteers to staff the clinic tables and provide free consultations/legal referral information to the greater community. Volunteer paralegals will assist with the intake of clients. No experience in any particular area of law is necessary. Lunch will be provided for volunteers.  

To volunteer, please contact Tammy Takara at 792-7338 or ttakara@hsba.org.  

Legal Line Needs You!  

Special Offerings for Law Week  

April 28 - 30, 2008  

Legal Line will be offered Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday April 28 through April 30, 2008 for Law Week.  

We need volunteers to man the phones from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the HSBA Office. If you are interested in volunteering for Legal Line during Law Week please contact Tammy Takara at 792-7338 or ttakara@hsba.org.