State Bar Seeks Public Board Members

PHOENIX - The State Bar of Arizona's Board of Governors is accepting applications from non-lawyers from throughout the state to fill two seats on its Board. The application deadline is Friday, March 25, 2011. The participation of public members is essential to the State Bar's mission to serve the public and to its efforts to make sure Arizona residents have a strong voice in the legal system. The public members will serve three-year terms. A total of four public members sit on the 30-member Board. The Board establishes the vision, mission and policies of the association and ensures that there are sufficient resources for its management and operations. Applicants for the public member positions may be from any county within Arizona but: * Must be at least 21 years of age * Must have resided in Arizona for at least three years * May not be an active or inactive member of any bar association * May not have, other than as a consumer, a financial interest in the practice of law Members of the Board of Governors attend a minimum of nine all-day meetings each year. Meetings are usually held on the third Friday of the month at the State Bar's office in Phoenix. Preparation in advance of the meetings, including review of related materials, is essential. In addition, members attend the Bar's annual convention in June and a two-day retreat in July. Board members serve on standing Board committees and as liaisons to other Bar committees. Travel and meal expenses are paid for all meetings, but there is no other compensation for service as a Board member. An application form must be submitted to the State Bar by Friday, March 25, 2011. The form can be found online or by contacting Nina Benham at (602) 340-7329 or by email at Nina.Benham@staff.azbar.org if you require more information.