Chair's Comments

Article Date: Friday, May 07, 2010

Written By: Timika Shafeek-Horton

Shafeek-Horton

At our next meeting, the council will discuss if and how a member’s status should change once the member is no longer employed as in-house counsel. Currently, unemployed section members cannot serve on our committees. Also, council members who lose their jobs during their term of service become ineligible to serve on the council at the end of the year. It is my understanding these policies were designed to ensure, among other things, that the section is driven and lead by attorneys who are (and want to be) in-house lawyers.

When the economy was buzzing along, people left their jobs as in-house counsel for a number of reasons; often, the departure was by choice. Times have changed. So, our council is going to discuss whether we should make some changes. People still leave their in-house counsel jobs for a number of reasons, but it feels as though many more are leaving because they are laid off. Many of these lawyers still want to be in-house counsel and their service on our council and committees could be beneficial to our section and the lawyers themselves.

I am sure the rationale for the current policies is still relevant, but in evaluating the value of section membership, the current council thinks it’s time to re-visit the issue. If you have an opinion and/or want to be involved in the discussion, come to our next meeting in Charlotte on May 21. Meeting details can be found on our website. Or, you can contact me at Timika.Shafeek-Horton@duke-energy.com.

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