A meeting of the Committee of Bar Examiners of The State Bar of California convened in closed session at 3:45 p.m., Friday, March 14, 2014, in a meeting room at the State Bar offices in San Francisco, California, Larry Sheingold, Chair, presiding. Officers and members present were: Larry Sheingold, Chair; Patricia P. White, Vice-Chair; James H. Aguirre, Eduardo A. Angeles, Traci C. Belmore, Archie “Joe” Biggers, James A. Bolton, Ph.D., J. Scott Bovitz, Michelle Domingo, Richard A. Frankel, KV Kumar, Joel S. Miliband, Martha Pruden-Hamiter, Lee H. Wallach, and Alan S. Yochelson, Members. Members Sandra Mendoza, Sandra L. Salazar, M.D., and Jeanne C. Vanderhoff, were absent. State Bar staff members in attendance were Gayle E. Murphy, Senior Director, Admissions, Gina Crawford, Director for Administration, Debra Murphy Lawson, Director for Moral Character Determinations, George C. Leal, Director for Educational Standards, Lisa Jeong Cummins, Director for Examinations, Greg S. Shin, Director for Operations and Management, Kim Wong, Administrative Specialist, Joseph Dunn, CEO and Executive Director, Thomas A. Miller, General Counsel, Rachel S. Grunberg, Senior Assistant General Counsel. At approximately 4:15 pm., the meeting went into open session Member Joel Miliband, Joseph Dunn and Thomas Miller left the meeting at 4:15 p.m. At 4:40 p.m., the meeting went back into closed session. The meeting was adjourned at 5 p.m.
It was by common consent agreed that the following members and former Chair represent the Committee at the designated Admissions Ceremonies, which will be conducted for the purpose of admitting applicants who are successful on the February 2014 California Bar Examination and who have met all other requirements for admission: Oakland Convention Center – Richard Frankel, Sacramento – Larry Sheingold, Fresno – Sean McCoy, Los Angeles Area – Lee Wallach, Orange County – KV Kumar, Riverside – Archie “Joe” Biggers, San Diego – Archie “Joe” Biggers, and Ventura – Alan Yochelson.
It was by common consent agreed that the January 2014 Key Indicators for the Office of Admissions/Committee of Bar Examiners be received and filed.
It was by common consent agreed that the schedule for the April 25 and 26, 2014 Committee Meeting, which will be held at The State Bar of California Offices in San Francisco, California, be received and filed.
It was moved, seconded and duly carried that Dean Charles Hicks be appointed to fill the vacant position on the Committee’s Advisory Committee on California Accredited Law School Rules, effective immediately.
It was by common consent agreed that the two memoranda from Erica Moeser, President, National Conference of Bar Examiners, regarding changes to its character and fitness application and contemplated changes to the Multistate Bar Examination be received and filed.
It was by common consent agreed that the draft Supreme Court Report on the July 2013 California Bar Examination be finalized and submitted to the court.
It was moved, seconded and duly carried that the Analysis of the July 2013 General Bar Examination prepared by Gansk & Associates be approved for inclusion in the report to the Supreme Court on this examination and otherwise authorized for publication.
It was by common consent agreed that the 2013 – 2014 goals for the Subcommittee on Examinations be received and filed.
It was by common consent agreed that the Financial Analysis Report as of Dec. 31, 2013, for the admissions fund, be received and filed.
It was moved, seconded and duly carried that the Policy to Permit Headwear to be Worn in a Secure Examination Test Center Due to Religious Beliefs in the form attached as “Item 1” to these minutes be adopted, effective with administration of the June 2014 First-Year Law Students’ Examination and the July 2014 California Bar Examination.
2013 – 2014 Subcommittee Goals It was by common consent agreed that the 2013 – 2014 goals for the Subcommittee on Operations and Management be received and filed.
It was by common consent agreed that the notices from the Oak Brook College of Law of the appointment of J. Douglas McElvy as Dean and from Abraham Lincoln University School of Law of the appointment of Hyung Park as Dean, be received and filed.
It was moved, seconded and duly carried that the proposed amendments to Guidelines 12.1 and 12.2, Guidelines for Accredited Law School Rules, in the form attached as “Item 2” to these minutes be adopted in principle; that the proposed amendments be circulated for a 30-day public comment period; and, that the proposed amendments and any comments received be referred to the Committee’s Advisory Committee on California Accredited Law School Rules for comment prior to further consideration and adoption by the Committee during its April 25 and 26, 2014 meeting.
It was by common consent agreed that the summaries of data reported in the annual compliance reports submitted by California Accredited Law Schools and Registered, Unaccredited Law Schools be received and filed.
It was moved, seconded and duly carried that the Periodic Inspection Report of Cal Northern School of Law which visit was conducted November 13-16, 2012 by an Inspection Team that included Committee of Bar Examiners member KV Kumar, Dean William Robertson, Empire College School of Law and George Leal, Director for Educational Standards, be received and filed; that the response submitted by Dean Sandra L. Brooks on behalf of the law school be received and filed; that the suggested recommendations contained in the report be adopted; that the accreditation of the law school be continued; and that the next periodic accreditation inspection of the law school be scheduled for the fall of 2018, unless earlier visitation is found to be necessary by the Committee.
California Accredited Law School Waivers It was moved, seconded and duly carried that the request for a waiver of the limitation set out in Guideline 6.6(D) of the Guidelines for Accredited Law School Rules submitted by San Joaquin College of Law be granted.
It was moved, seconded and duly carried that the request for Approval of a Major Change submitted by the University of San Luis Obispo School of Law, pursuant to Rule 4.245 of the Unaccredited Law School Rules, regarding its request to relocate its facility be received and filed and that the request be granted.
It was by common consent agreed that the 2013 – 2014 goals for the Subcommittee on Educational Standards be received and filed.
It was by common consent agreed that the 2013 – 2014 goals for the Subcommittee on Moral Character be received and filed.
Having concluded all the business scheduled for consideration during the open and closed sessions of the meeting, the meeting was adjourned at 5 p.m., Friday, March 14, 2014.