Joint Law Practice Management Group Committees

This group focuses on issues, which can enhance the effectiveness and profitability of the legal practice of real estate lawyers. The work product of the committees’ deals both with the management of the real estate practice, such as techniques for managing offices and technology to more effectively produce legal product or handling litigation matters effectively, whether through traditional litigation or creative alternative dispute methods. The Pro-Bono Committee does not just provide CLE materials and articles on issues affecting legal consumers, such as predatory lending,  it  has  actually  created  a  mechanism for Section attorneys to provide direct pro bono legal services  through  Habitat  for  Humanity  offices  nationwide,  thereby enhancing not only the visibility and effectiveness  of  the  Section  but  the  practices  and  community support by individual Section attorneys across the country.

The Legal Education and Uniform Laws Group works across the spectrum of property law on subjects of interest to either the Real Property Division or the Trusts and Estates Division that involve the teaching of property law or the development of uniform state laws.

Economics, Technology and Practice Methods

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 publications, the website and through programming at meetings.

In-House Counsel

The In-House Counsel Committee is intended to be a home for in-house, governmental, and other lawyers not practicing at law firms within the Real Property, Trust and Estates Section. We are committed to ensuring all in-house lawyers in the Section can make most of their membership by having the same opportunities within the Section as lawyers working at traditional law firms. Accordingly, our goal is to provide this group of lawyers with opportunities for networking, continuing legal education, speaking and writing, and to otherwise address their special needs. The committee also represents the interests of Section members practicing in-house by advocating our unique viewpoint through participation in Section leadership and by providing a pathway for in-house lawyers to join Section leadership.

Solo and Small Firm Practice

Our Committee is a home within the Section for those RP attorneys practicing in small and solo settings. We would like to ensure that all solo and small firm attorneys receive all member benefits that the Section offers, as well as develop and deliver member benefits specifically tailored to solo and small firm attorneys.

Legal Education

The Legal Education Committee informs law professors of current practices in real property, trusts and estates; advises practitioners on real property, trusts and estates law scholarship issues; conducts workshops on teaching methods, materials, examinations and real property, trusts and estates curriculum; discusses scholarship-in-progress and emerging areas of law and practice in real property, trusts and estates; and provides opportunities for members to participate in publication projects.

Uniform Laws

The Uniform Laws Committee is responsible for monitoring, reviewing, and promoting uniform state laws involving the law of real property, trusts and estates. The committee reports to the RPTE section council on current projects of the Uniform Law Commission (ULC), and provides recommendations and assistance to the two boards that monitor and review uniform laws: the Joint Editorial Board on Uniform Real Property Acts, and the Joint Editorial Board on Uniform Trust and Estate Acts. The committee often sponsors CLE programming on uniform laws in development or recently approved. Committee members may also work to promote the adoption of uniform laws by state legislatures when appropriate.