A new rule governing Hawaii attorneys was adopted this year. This rule provides that starting from January 1, 2010, all active members of the Hawaii Bar are required to complete at least 3 credit hours of approved Mandatory Continuing Professional Education (MCPE) each calendar year. The rule governing mandatory MCPE credits in Hawaii is Rule 22 of the Rules of Supreme Court of the State of Hawaii. Rule 22 also encourages that attorneys complete 9 or more credit hours per years of approved Voluntary Continuing Legal Education (VCLE). Attorneys are required to certify and report the completion of their MCPE and VCLE credits annually. To fulfill their MCPE and VCLE credits, attorneys may attend “[c]ourses and activities sponsored by the Hawaii State Bar Association (HSBA) or the American Bar Association, and classified by the HSBA as MCPE or VCLE.” Supreme Court Rule 22(f). Alternative means for Hawaii attorneys to meet their MCLE and/or VCLE credits are provided for in Rule 22(e) and are also subject to HSBA approval.

Comment to Rule 22 reveals the intent behind adopting this rule and provides as follows:

Continuing professional and legal education contributes to lawyer competence and benefits the public and the legal profession by assuring that attorneys remain current regarding the law, the obligations and standards of the profession, and the management of their practices. Voluntary continuing legal education is valuable to lawyers and attendance at courses is encouraged. These new rules are expected to result in a substantial increase in course attendance and participation in activities that earn MCPE and VCLE credit, with resulting enhancement of lawyer services to clients.

Comment to Supreme Court Rule 22.

For more information concerning this new rule, one could view the Hawaii State Bar Association website at http://www.hsba.org/MCLE.aspx.

Labels: The Legal Profession

The Law Offices of Philip R. Brown is happy to welcome Courtney Henderson. Ms. Henderson has her M.A in English Literature from the University of Toledo (2009) and her B.S. in Magazine Production Journalism from Florida A&M University (2008). Courtney is currently pursuing her doctorate at the University of Hawaii, in Linguistics, Language Documentation and Conservation.

Courtney will serve as a paralegal on many of our civil litigation matters and will use her journalism background to assist us with our blog. Obviously, we are delighted to have Courtney join our firm.

Labels: Office News

Hawaii attorney Justin M. Chu has joined our firm as an associate. Justin is a 2009 graduate of the University of Memphis School of Law. At the University of Memphis, Justin was on the Law Review where he also served on the Editorial Board as Business Editor. In addition, Justin received Cali Awards in Civil Rights and Fair Employment Practices.

Justin is a 2004 graduate of Vanderbilt University where he majored in Mathematics and minored in Computer Science. After graduation from Vanderbilt, Justin worked as a Consultant/Pharmacy Technician for Priority Healthcare Corp. While at Vanderbilt, Justin was a teaching assistant in Calculus. In short, Justin has an impressive, varied background and skill set that will only enhance his legal practice.

Justin Chu's practice with this office will focus on Civil Rights, Commercial Litigation and Civil Trial Practice cases.

Welcome Justin.

Labels: Office News

Intermediate Court of Appeals Judge, the Honorable Katherine Leonard, has been nominated by Governor Lingle to serve as our next Chief Justice of the Hawaii Supreme Court. On August 3, 2010 the Senate Judiciary Committee heard testimony to consider her qualifications. I attended the entire hearing and was honored to give testimony in support of Judge Leonard. Judge Leonard has broad support among the Hawaii legal profession. The Senate Judiciary Committee heard testimony in support of Judge Leonard from the Hawaii Attorney General, the Honolulu Prosecutor's office, the Public Defender's Office, former Hawaii Supreme Court Justice Klein, several retired Judges of the Hawaii Circuit Court, the Hawaii Women's Lawyers Association and several of her former law professors at the William H. Richardson School of Law. Many of Hawaii's most prominent attorneys also testified in strong support of Judge Leonard.

There also were some prominent critics of Governor Lingle's selection who gave testimony that Judge Leonard simply is not ready to be Chief Justice of the Hawaii Supreme Court. No witness questioned Judge Leonard's honesty, intellect, or work ethic. Although I have great respect for those individuals that testified against Judge Leonard's nomination, respectfully, I disagree. I have known Judge Leonard for seventeen years, since we were both associates at the Carlsmith Ball law firm. She is a tireless worker, has great intellect, and is devoted to the Judiciary. Although a few witnesses questioned whether Judge Leonard has the leadership qualities necessary to be Chief Judge, based on my personal knowledge of Katherine Leonard, I am ready to follow Judge Leonard's leadership.

Judge Leonard will be an excellent Chief Justice of the Hawaii Supreme Court.

Labels: The Legal Profession