I. INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this Handbook is to provide the information necessary to establish and operate a local chapter of the J. Reuben Clark Law Society (“Law Society”) and to provide guidance to Law Society leadership. We welcome the establishment of new chapters and look forward to the new friendships and associations that will come as our ranks expand. We believe the Law Society can make a significant contribution to the profession and to the lives of all who will join with us to support its ideals.

II. BACKGROUND

A. Mission Statement
The Law Society draws on the philosophy and personal example of the Law Society's namesake, J. Reuben Clark, Jr., in fulfilling the following mission: "We affirm the strength brought to the law by a lawyer's personal religious conviction. We strive through public service and professional excellence to promote fairness and virtue founded upon the rule of law." This is accomplished by:

1. Encouraging high moral and professional standards throughout the legal profession; and
2. Serving the professional needs of its members.

Since the Law Society operates under the legal umbrella of Brigham Young University, the Law Society and its chapters need to comply with BYU's 501(c)(3) guidelines which provide, in part, that “all lobbying and other political activities are strictly prohibited.”

B. Professional Standards and Values
The Law Society emphasizes three basic values and attitudes toward the practice of law and its place in modern society: (i) appreciation for the religious dimension in society and in a lawyer's personal life; (ii) public service; and (iii) loyalty to the rule of law.

C. Sponsorship
The Law Society benefits from the sponsorship of the J. Reuben Clark Law School ("Law School") which provides both financial and staff support to the activities of the Law Society. While the Law School does work closely with the Law Society, the Law Society is not an alumni association of the Law School. The Law Society membership consists of graduates from many law schools, including the J. Reuben Clark Law School.

D. Implementation
To accomplish its mission, the Law Society will:

1. Promote the formation of local chapters which meet regularly to further the aims of the Law Society and promote opportunities for continuing dialogue on legal topics of significance;
2. Encourage members to regard the practice of law as a public trust from which service to courts, clients, and society shall always be paramount;
3. Promote and protect the rule of law;
4. Strive to preserve the world's legal heritage and to expand the ideals of freedom; and
5. Partner with the School as appropriate.

E. Law Society Organization and Charter
1. Structure: The Law Society organization consists of both an international and a local level. The Law School and its alumni constitute an integral and supportive component of the Law Society organization.
The international level of the Law Society consists of a Board (International Board) led by a Chair (International Chair). The local level consists of geographically diverse chapters led by Chapter Chairs with supporting boards (Chapter Boards). The Dean of the Law School and members of the Law School administration provide leadership at the international level as well as support to the local chapters. The Law Society coordinates its fund raising efforts, if any, with the Law School's representative from the BYU Development Office.

2. Charter: In 1988, the Law Society adopted by-laws that set out the basic structure and organization of the Law Society as well as specific procedural and operational requirements to govern the day-to-day functioning of the Law Society. The Law Society by-laws are attached as an appendix.

F. Membership Criteria
Membership in the Law Society is open to attorneys of all faiths who share the goals, standards, and values of the Law Society. Attorneys who graduate from the Law School automatically become members of the Law Society due to the Law School's significant sponsoring role in the Law Society. Others attorneys may become members of the Law Society by completing and submitting a membership form provided by the Law Society. To assist local chapters with their start up expenses, the Law School will remit $200 to the bank account of each new chapter.
Local chapters may charge dues and solicit sponsors. Any and all funding raised by local chapters will be retained by local chapters in order to cover operational costs of the unit (mailings, copying, etc.)
Further information on membership in the Law Society is available by contacting the Associate Executive Director's office at the Law School at the following address: J. Reuben Clark Law Society, 239 JRCB, Provo, Utah 84602-1029 or (801) 422-3685.

G. Services Provided to Law Society Members
The Law Society includes attorneys from all parts of the United States and from a number of foreign countries who share a common interest in the mission and values associated with the name of J. Reuben Clark, Jr. To further these interests, the Law Society offers a variety of services for building and maintaining communications among and meeting the needs of its members. These services include the following:

1. Law Society Directory
Each member of the Law Society is listed in the Law Society Directory, which is made available to those listed for the cost of publication. The directory includes contact information, professional position, educational background, and areas of emphasis or practice. This information provides a ready reference for professional referrals and other communication needs.

2. The Clark Memorandum
The Clark Memorandum is the official semi-annual publication of the Law Society and is mailed to Law Society members as a benefit of Law Society membership. It features information about the Law School, including activities of faculty and alumni, and articles of common interest to all Law Society members.
Unsolicited stories or essays on topical issues by members of the Law Society are encouraged and should be submitted to the Executive Director's office at the Law School, 342 JRCB, BYU, Provo, UT, 84602. Past issues can be found online under the Publications link of the Law Society's website, www.jrcls.org.

3. Placement and Relocation Services
Through the Law School's Career Services office, all Law Society members have access to information about placement and relocation opportunities throughout the United States as well as in other parts of the world. This information includes not only entry-level positions but also listings for experienced attorneys.
Members may receive the online job password by calling (801) 422-3685. Visit the Career Services website at www.law2.byu.edu then click on Career Services in the left column. Local chapters are also encouraged to participate in the Advising Network that assists students and attorneys with information about job opportunities, housing, and other concerns.

4. BYU Law Newsletter
The BYU Law Newsletter is updated on a monthly basis and is made available to Law Society members on the Law Society website, www.jrcls.org. News from the Law School and the Law Society is included along with alumni profiles, articles, and class-by-class notes.

5. Events
Law Society members receive invitations to participate in International Law Society events as well as those sponsored by their local chapters.

III. INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION

A. Introduction to the Organizational Structure
At the international level, the International Board, which consists of members representing the various geographic areas in which local chapters are organized, directs the Law Society. The International Board works closely with the Dean of the Law School and receives direction and support from an Executive Director and Associate Executive Director who are members of the administration of the Law School.

B. International Board
The International Board consists of members of the International Executive Committee (see III.D below), at large members, and ex-officio or emeritus members who are appointed to serve by the International Executive Committee and approved by the International Board.
At-large members of the International Board serve for terms of three years and may succeed themselves for one additional term. Membership on the International Board shall be staggered so that approximately one-third of the members are replaced or reappointed each year.
The functions of the International Board include the following:

1. Promote membership in the Law Society;
2. Promote and support the establishment and activities of local chapters of the Law Society;
3. Receive reports from the Dean of the Law School;
4. Act as an advisory group on matters of policy, programs, and procedures and to make recommendations of policy decisions to the Dean of the Law School; and
5. Notify Law School representatives of all activities of the Law Society.

The duties of the individual members of the International Board include the following: (i) participate in monthly International Board conference calls; (ii) attend annual training and special International Board activities; (iii) serve on committees of the International Board as assigned by the Chair and work on committee assignments and projects as appropriate; (iv) support and promote the goals and activities of the Law Society; and (v) actively participate in and support the local chapters of the Law Society.

C. Officers of the International Board
The International Board will elect the following officers to direct the affairs of the International Board and to serve on the International Executive Committee:

1. The International Chair is selected by the members of the International Board upon recommendation and approval by the International Executive Committee. The International Chair serves for a two-year term. Upon completion of his or her term of office, an International Chair may continue indefinitely at the request of the International Board as an ex-officio or emeritus member of the International Board.
2. The International Chair-Elect is elected by the members of the International Board upon recommendation and approval by the International Executive Committee. The International Chair-Elect succeeds the International Chair at the expiration of his or her term. The International Chair-Elect serves for a term of two years.
3. The Executive Director and Associate Executive Director are administrators at the Law School assigned by the Dean to serve in this capacity upon recommendation and approval by the International Executive Committee. The International Executive Director and Associate Executive Director will serve until replaced by other appointees of the Dean.

D. International Executive Committee
The International Executive Committee of the Law Society is the administrative group designated to exercise the powers of the International Board between meetings and to report such actions to the International Board. The International Executive Committee will meet at the direction of the International Chair. The International Executive Committee is composed of the following members: (i) the International Chair; (ii) the International Chair-Elect; (iii) Dean of the Law School; (iv) Executive Director; and (v) Associate Executive Director.

E. Meetings of International Board
The International Board will hold an annual meeting (at a time set by the Executive Committee), monthly telephone conference calls, and special meetings as may be called for from time to time by the International Chair.

IV. LOCAL CHAPTERS

A. Introduction
The Law Society encourages the organization of local chapters in cities or areas where there are sufficient members or potential members to support a chapter. At a minimum, a chapter requires a chair, a chair-elect and a secretary/treasurer. In addition, a chapter should hold at least one annual event. Chapters are encouraged to hold additional events such as dinners, receptions, or brown bag luncheons for members and guests. These activities should provide a forum for regular communication among chapter members and should promote the international mission of the Law Society.
The Law Society encourages local chapters to adopt the goals and objectives set by the International Board. The Law Society also encourages recognition of local Law Society members whose professional and personal lives exemplify the Society's mission. By this means, professionally well-established members of the Law Society can be recognized as role models for younger attorneys who are trying to balance the competing interests of professional, family, religious, and civic commitments. Beyond such basic recommendations, chapters are encouraged to operate in such a manner that meets the needs and goals of the local chapter members.

B. Charters
New chapters of the Law Society must be approved by the International Executive Committee and the International Board. The International Executive Committee may initiate local chapter organizations by appointing chapter leaders for fixed terms of office or members in a particular area may organize themselves by working with the Law Society's Associate Executive Director who will seek approval for the chapter from the Executive Committee and the International Board. Samples of other local chapter charters are available on the Law Society's website: www.jrcls.org.

C. Local Organizational Model
The particular organizational structure of a local chapter of the Law Society is dependent upon a number of factors including: number of members or potential members in the geographic area covered by the chapter, geographic diversity of the members, and the needs and desires of the local membership. The following is an organizational model for local chapters:

1. Local Chapter Officers
The officers of a local chapter consist, at a minimum, of a Chapter Chair, a Chapter Chair-Elect, and a Chapter Secretary/Treasurer. Each officer serves for a recommended term of at least two years and can succeed him or herself for one additional two-year term.

a) Chapter Chair: The initial Chapter Chair is nominated by the International Executive Committee and subsequently elected by the local chapter Board (Chapter Board). In the event of a vacancy in the office of Chapter Chair and where there is no Chapter Chair-elect in place, the same procedure will be followed.
The Chapter Chair oversees the activities of the Law Society in the local geographic area covered by the chapter. The Chapter Chair regularly coordinates and communicates with the chapter's designated Law School and International Board liaisons. The Chapter Chair, in consultation with the Chapter Chair-Elect, appoints members of the chapter to serve on the Chapter Board, establishes Chapter Committees and appoints members of the Chapter Board to chair or serve on those committees.

b) Chapter Chair-Elect: The Chapter Chair-Elect is nominated by the Chapter Chair, ratified by the International Executive Committee, and subsequently elected by the Chapter Board. The Chair-Elect succeeds the Chair's term of office. The Chapter Chair-Elect assists the Chapter Chair with all aspects of the chapter's operation. In absence of the Chapter Chair, the Chair-Elect conducts the business of the chapter.

c) Chapter Secretary/Treasurer: The Chapter Secretary/Treasurer is nominated by the Chapter Chair and approved by the Chapter Board. The Chapter Secretary/Treasurer is responsible for obtaining from the Law School on an annual basis a list of all new graduating law students who will be practicing law within the jurisdiction of the local chapter. The Chapter Secretary/Treasurer is also responsible for maintaining and updating the chapter membership list, forwarding these updates to the Law School for database additions and corrections.
The Chapter Secretary/Treasurer is also responsible for securing all funds collected by the chapter. These funds include fund raising amounts and membership dues, if required. The Secretary/Treasurer also sets up an account for the chapter and reports on the status of the account to the Chapter Chair, Chair-Elect and Chapter Board on a regular basis. By way of assisting chapters with their start-up expenses, the Law School will remit $200 to the bank account of each new chapter. The Chapter Secretary/Treasurer completes annually the required tax-exempt form and submits it to the International Board.

d) Other officers may be appointed by the Chapter Board as needed for the operation or activities of the chapter.

2. Local Chapter Board
Each Law Society chapter is directed by a Chapter Board whose members serve for recommended, staggered two-year minimum terms. Members of the Chapter Board are appointed and assigned by the Chapter Chair, in consultation with the Chapter Chair-Elect. Chapter Board members chair or serve on various chapter committees as assigned by the Chapter Chair after consultation with the Chapter Chair-Elect. Committee assignments are rotated on a regular basis, as deemed appropriate by the Chapter Chair.
The Chapter Board provides general policy direction and support for the activities of the Chapter. It establishes annual chapter goals and approves the activities of the Chapter. The Chapter Board has specific responsibility for setting all chapter fund raising goals, if any, and providing direction to the various committees.
The Chapter Board should meet or communicate at least quarterly under the direction of the Chapter Chair and Chapter Chair-Elect.

3. Chapter Committees
Chapter Committees are established, based on the size of the chapter and the needs and goals of chapter members. A chapter may have as many or as few committees as the Chapter Board deems appropriate. The following committees are examples of the types of committees that may be appropriate for a chapter:

a) Membership Committee oversees and coordinates all activities designed to increase membership in the chapter and to maintain an accurate chapter membership directory mailing list. It is responsible for conducting an annual membership drive and forwarding all information to the Law School for the Law Society database.

b) Public Service Committee provides direction for pro bono activities of the chapter and organizes related chapter activities.

c) Event Committee organizes at least one major event each year. Some examples of such events are a dinner, a reception, or a picnic. In addition, the committee plans and coordinates other activities deemed appropriate by the Chapter Chair and Chapter Board. The needs and desires of chapter members should dictate the type and frequency of activities in each chapter.

d) Award Committee seeks nominations from chapter members for individuals from the local bar who represent the Law Society's mission for recognition and recommends to the Chapter Board one or more individuals who should receive special recognition from the chapter.

e) Placement Committee works with the Law School's Career Services Director to coordinate placement activities of the chapter, such as law fairs and interviewing days. This committee should also work with the Advising Network to assist students, graduates, and all other members within the chapter's jurisdiction. The committee serves as a local clearinghouse for job opportunities and provides guidance and direction for chapter members in need of such services.

f) Young Lawyers Committee works to integrate new graduates into the chapter and the local bar. Interaction with student chapters is encouraged.

g) Development Committee oversees and coordinates any fund raising endeavors undertaken by the chapter. The committee works under the direction of the Chapter Chair and Chair-Elect and the Chapter Board on all fundraising activities held within the chapter's jurisdiction. The committee should submit recommendations to the Chapter Board for fund raising goals and activities. The committee should work with the International Board and Regional members of the BYU Development Office on all fund raising projects. Whenever possible, a local representative of the BYU Development Office should be invited to attend committee meetings.

h) CLE Committee works with the Event Committee to identify speakers and host activities that qualify as CLE credit.

4. International Board/Law School Liaisons with Local Chapters
Each chapter is assigned a liaison from the International Board and from the Law School. These liaisons serve as resources for local leadership and facilitate the exchange of information between local chapters and the International Board.

5. Meetings of Local Chapters
The schedule of meetings or activities of local chapters is set by the Chapter Board. The International Board encourages chapters to meet and communicate with each other on a regular basis (at least quarterly) subject to the needs and schedules of the members.

6. Funding
Each chapter receives an initial allocation of $200 from the Law School to begin operating. Subsequent funds may be obtained from dues, sponsorships, and/or fundraising activities.

V. STUDENT CHAPTERS

In some geographical areas where law schools are located, student chapters may be organized. The student chapter is sponsored by the local chapter in which the law school is located (Sponsoring Chapter). Where there is no chapter covering the geographic area where the law school is located the student chapter may be sponsored by the International Board. The following is an organizational model for student chapters:

A. Student Chapter Officers
The officers of a student chapter consist of a President, Attorney Advisor and/or Faculty Advisor, as the case may be, President-Elect and a Secretary/Treasurer. Each officer serves for a term of one year with the exception of the Attorney Advisor who serves for a recommended term of at least three years.

1. President

The President should usually be a second or third year law student. The initial President is nominated by the Sponsoring Chapter Board and subsequently elected by the student chapter membership. Where there is no Sponsoring Chapter the initial President is nominated by the International Executive Committee. In the event of a vacancy in the office of President the same procedure will be followed.
The President oversees the activities of the Law Society at the law school or law schools covered by the student chapter. The President regularly coordinates and communicates with the Attorney Advisor and the Sponsoring Chapter Chair. The President, in consultation with the Attorney Advisor and the President-Elect, appoints members of the student chapter to serve on committees or, where there are a sufficient number of students, to serve on a Student Chapter Board. Where possible, the President will serve on the Sponsoring Chapter Board.

2. Attorney Advisor

The Sponsoring Chapter Chair appoints a member of the Chapter Board to serve as Attorney Advisor of the student chapter for a recommended term of at least three years. In many instances the Faculty Advisor, if a member of the J. Reuben Clark Law Society, is appointed the Attorney Advisor. The Attorney Advisor is to advise and assist the President in his/her duties. In the event there is no President the Attorney Advisor shall temporarily serve as President of the student chapter until a student can be elected as President. The Attorney Advisor may be of assistance in obtaining speakers for student chapter activities and arranging attorney mentors for student chapter members. In addition, the Attorney Advisor acts as a liaison between the student chapter and the Sponsoring Chapter.

3. President-Elect

The President-Elect should usually be a second-year law student. The President-Elect is nominated by the President and Attorney Advisor, ratified by the Sponsoring Chapter Board, and subsequently elected by the student chapter membership. The President-Elect succeeds to the President's term of office. The President-Elect assists the President and the Attorney Advisor with all aspects of the student chapter's operation.

4. Secretary/Treasurer

The Secretary/Treasurer is a law student. The Secretary/Treasurer serves for a term of one year and can succeed him or herself for one or two additional terms. The Secretary/Treasurer is nominated by the President and the Attorney Advisor and subsequently elected by the student chapter membership. The Secretary/Treasurer is responsible for maintaining and updating the student chapter membership list and forwarding these updates to the Sponsoring Chapter Chair. The Secretary/Treasurer is also responsible for identifying the job placement of all graduating student chapter members and forwarding them to the Sponsoring Chapter Chair who will forward them to the International Board Liaison for dissemination to the Chapters where these graduates will be located.
The Secretary/Treasurer is responsible for depositing all funds collected by the student chapter. These funds include fund-raising amounts and membership dues, if required. The Secretary/Treasurer sets up an account for the student chapter and reports on the status of the account to the President and the Attorney Advisor on a regular basis.

5. Other officers or committee chairs may be appointed by the President upon consultation with the Attorney Advisor as needed for the operation or activities of the student chapter.

B. Chapter Programs and Activities
Chapter programs and activities are planned, based on the size of the student chapter and the needs and goals of chapter members. A chapter may have as many or as few programs or activities as the officers deem appropriate. It is recommended that the cost of activities be kept to a minimum. The following programs and activities are examples of some of the types of activities and programs that may be appropriate for a student chapter:

1. Annual family picnic.

2. Frequent brown bag lunches with periodic speakers.

3. Firesides.

4. Institute and/or Institute-Like Classes sponsored by the Sponsoring Chapter

5. Public Service.

6. Student to student mentor programs and attorney to student mentor programs.

7. Attend the annual dinner and other events, as appropriate, of the Sponsoring Chapter.

8. Job placement assistance through the Sponsoring Chapter.

C. Meetings of Student Chapters

The schedule of meetings or activities of student chapters is set by the officers. The International Board encourages student chapters to meet and communicate with each other on a regular basis (at least bimonthly) subject to the needs and schedules of the members.

D. Recognition of the Law Society as Student Association

Many law schools will allow the J. Reuben Clark Law Society to be recognized as a student association on their campuses. Such recognition often allows for beneficial privileges to be granted to the Law Society by that law school. The officers may look into, and apply for, campus recognition where appropriate.

E. Funding

Some student chapters may receive funds from their law school if they are recognized on campus as a student association. Other funds may be obtained from dues, sponsorships and/or other fund raising activities. Any dues collected may be used by the student chapter without remittance of a portion to the Sponsoring Chapter or the International Law Society.

VI. LAW SCHOOL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

General Organizational Overview

The Brigham Young University Law School Alumni Association (Alumni Association) is a separate organization devoted primarily to meeting the specific needs of the graduates of the Law School. Working closely with the Law Society, the Alumni Association ensures that alumni needs are met but also makes certain that the alumni group is included in the broader organization of the Law Society.

The Alumni Association shares the same general goals and objectives of the Law Society, but these goals are furthered by the work of committees made up of class representatives. Alumni of the Law School are automatically made members of the Law Society.

VII. LAW SCHOOL and BYU DEVELOPMENT OFFICE

A. Sponsorship of the Law Society
The Law Society is under the formal sponsorship of the Law School. All Law Society materials for the solicitation of funds for the Law School are to be reviewed and approved by the Dean and the BYU Development Office.

B. BYU Development Office
The LDS Foundation is organized under the direction of the Presiding Bishopric of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Its mission is to encourage and facilitate voluntary philanthropic contributions to the Church and its related organizations and activities, with a primary emphasis relating to Church institutions of higher education. (First Presidency Letter of August 6, 1982, and re-affirmed by The Presiding Bishopric on January 4, 1988).
A representative from the BYU Development Office, which is part of the LDS Foundation, has been assigned to the Law School. This person serves as an assistant to the Dean for Development.
A Church-wide name clearance program, designed to facilitate all fund raising efforts on behalf of the Church and its related organizations and activities, is operated by the LDS Foundation. Before individuals are approached for fund raising, names should be cleared through this program. An LDS Foundation Regional Director is assigned to selected geographic areas. Both LDS Foundation resources and BYU Development Office resources can be used to assist in contacting, cultivating, and receiving gifts for the Law Society.

VIII. HOW TO ORGANIZE AND OPERATE A CHAPTER

There is no single definitive formula for successfully organizing a chapter of the Law Society. However, the following guidelines have resulted in the successful organization and operation of local chapters.

First, contact a member of the International Executive Committee of the Law Society to determine whether any preliminary work towards the organization of a chapter in your specific geographic area has been done and to ensure that approval will be given for the chapter if the criteria for organizing a chapter are met.

After obtaining initial approval to proceed from the International Executive Committee, an assessment should be taken with the potential membership in the area to be covered by the chapter. Identify those who are currently members of the Law Society by consulting the Law Society Directory. Conduct a survey of LDS attorneys in the area who might be interested in joining the Law Society and participating in a local chapter. Compile the results of the research and organize it by city or geographic location within the area.
Once the results of the research have been compiled and analyzed, discuss the results with the International Executive Committee of the Law Society. The International Executive Committee will determine whether there are sufficient numbers and interest to justify organizing a chapter. Assuming the decision is made to proceed with the organization of a chapter, the International Executive Committee will recommend that a new Chapter be formed and will appoint the initial Chapter Chair. The Chapter Chair, in consultation with the International Executive Committee, will proceed to appoint a Chapter Chair-Elect, a Chapter Secretary/Treasurer, and various Chapter members to serve on the Chapter Board.
Once the Chapter Board is organized, the Chapter Chair and Chapter Chair-Elect will call a meeting of the Chapter Board. At the meeting, the Chapter Chair should propose the formation of various Chapter Committees. The Chapter Board should then approve the formation of the Chapter Committees as appropriate. Once the committees have been approved, the Chapter Chair should then assign members of the Chapter Board to chair or serve on them. Chapter Committee Chairs can also recommend other members of the chapter to serve on the various committees.
After completing the organizational work at the initial meeting, the Chapter Board should discuss and agree upon regular meeting times. The Chapter Board should then provide some general guidelines and directives for the Chapter Secretary/Treasurer and the Chapter Committee Chairmen consistent with the goals and objectives set by them.
Through regular meetings or teleconferences of the Chapter Board (held at least quarterly) and through direction provided by the Chapter Chair as a result of training by the International Board of the Law Society, the chapter can progress and operate to the benefit of the members of the chapter and in furtherance of the mission of the Law Society.

IX. CONCLUSION

As you use this Handbook, we invite you to make suggestions and recommendations to improve and expand upon what is here. Through a process of continual review and refinement, we can be assured of providing new chapters with the best resources and information available to facilitate their organization and operation.