New IOLTA Program Directors in Kentucky and Michigan

Guion Johnstone joined the Kentucky Bar Foundation and Kentucky IOLTA Fund as the new Executive Director in December 2016. Previously, Ms. Johnstone served as the Program Director of the Maxwell Street Legal Clinic in Lexington and an adjunct faculty member at the University Kentucky College of Law, where she taught immigration law and supervised the Immigration Externship. She also worked as a staff attorney for the Honorable Phillip J. Shepherd, Chief Judge of Franklin Circuit Court. Ms. Johnstone received a JD from the University of Louisville’s Brandeis School of Law and an MS in social work from its Kent School of Social Work.

Jennifer Bentley became the new Executive Director of the Michigan State Bar Foundation in January 2017. For the past 20 years, Ms. Bentley has been a staff attorney and manager in several legal aid programs. She most recently served as chief development officer to lead efforts for expansion and growth for the statewide Michigan Advocacy Program. Her work has involved a wide range of administrative duties, program development, policy planning, and service delivery innovations. Ms. Bentley received a JD from the Indiana University School of Law and holds a certificate in fundraising management from the Indiana University Center on Philanthropy.

South Dakota Converts to Mandatory IOLTA Program With Rule Amendment

Following a hearing and comment period, the Supreme Court of South Dakota on November 26, 2016 amended Rule 1.15 of the South Dakota Rules of Professional Conduct, which governs the state’s IOLTA program. The amendment converts the status of attorney participation in the program from voluntary to mandatory, effective April 1, 2017. With this amendment, South Dakota becomes the 48^th IOLTA program within the United States and its territories to require mandatory attorney participation.