Section of Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Pro Bono Activities
Practice Management Group
Supervisory Council Member: Shannon Skinner
Group Chair: Michael Goler
Group Vice Chair: David Campbell
A-2 - Public Web Site and E-State
Chairs: Chair: Robert Steele
Vice Chair: Jason Havens and Amy Mendelsohn
Staff:
Robert King
312 988-5540
Robin Roy
312 988-5670
Description:
To provide answers to the most common questions about the estate planning process, probate and administration of estates, transfer taxes and tax planning for your assets, and disability planning.
Volunteers and Cases:
Committee Chairs
B-1 Economics, Technology and Practice Methods
Chair: Michael Ostermeyer
Vice-Chair: Nancy Grekin
Staff:
Lora Lode
312 988-5651
lodel@staff.abanet.org
Antonette Smith
312 988-5260
asmith4@staff.abanet.org
LINK: http://www.abanet.org/rppt/cmtes/rp/b1/home.html
Description:
This committee's mission is to collect data on practice methods as they are affected by technology and as they affect the economics of practice. Its further mission is to study the data, illustrate future trends and illustrate Section member opportunities to improve the delivery of legal services in a way that will improve the quality of the legal product, make a positive impact on the enjoyment of law practice, and improve Section member effectiveness in attracting clients to their law practices. The committee circulates its work product through ABA publications, the Section's Web site and through programming at ABA meetings.
Volunteers and Cases:
Subcommittee Members - 277
B-2 Ethics and Professionalism
Chair: James Geoffrey Durham
Staff:
Lora Lode
312 988-5651
lodel@staff.abanet.org
Antonette N. Smith
312 988-5260
asmith4@staff.abanet.org
LINK: http://www.abanet.org/rppt/cmtes/rp/b2/home.html
Description:
This committee promotes the ethical and professional responsibility of the legal profession in real estate transactions. The committee produces programs and publications designed to work directly with Section members to achieve this goal
Volunteers and Cases:
Committee Members - 36
B-3 Real Property Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution
Chair: Michael Frederic Donner
Vice-Chair: James John Eischen
Staff:
Lora Lode
312 988-5651
lodel@staff.abanet.org
Antonette N. Smith
312 988-5260
asmith4@staff.abanet.org
LINK: http://www.abanet.org/rppt/cmtes/rp/b3/home.html
Description:
This committee evaluates issues relating to real property litigation. The committee focuses on new developments in the law as it relates to real estate development, investment, leasing and land use and provides guidance to legal and real estate professionals on how they can avoid litigation and/or avail themselves of various methods of alternative dispute resolution (including mediation and arbitration).
B-4 Pro-Bono
Chair: Carol Ann Martinelli
Vice-Chair: Debra Stark
Staff:
Lora Lode
312 988-5651
lodel@staff.abanet.org
Antonette N. Smith
312 988-5260
asmith4@staff.abanet.org
LINK: http://www.abanet.org/rppt/cmtes/rp/b4/home.html
Description:
This committee's objective is to serve the real property needs of low-income citizens and to educate the general public on common real property law issues. The committee initiates and facilitates pro bono activities through which Section members may contribute to their local communities. Within the context of local, regional and national real estate related projects sponsored by community service organizations, the committee provides and coordinates the services of attorneys. In addition to valuable contributions to their local communities, attorneys' participation in such projects fosters respect and positive community recognition for solo practices, firms and the legal profession as a whole. The committee's first project involves working with Habitat for Humanity International to provide and coordinate volunteer attorneys to serve the legal needs of the organization at local (affiliate) and national levels.
E-1 - Surrogate Decision Making
Chairs: Co-Chairs: Russell Haddleton and Abigail Kampmann
Vice Chair: Rebecca Morgan
Robin Roy
312 988-5670
LINK: http://www.abanet.org/rppt/cmtes/pt/e1/home.html
Description:
This committee is involved in a number of projects involving health care decision making for adults with incapacities, with a particular emphasis on decisions at the end of life. The committee publishes information for Section members on these topics and participates in or sponsors Section CLE programs. Recent projects of the committee include National Health Care Decisions Week 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004.
Volunteers and Cases:
Committee members, American Medical Association, and numerous ABA Sections. In the past 2 years, over 40 bar associations have partnered with local medical organizations to provide community education to thousands of participants
