Committees

This Committee monitors Supreme Court, Fifth Circuit and district court decisions relating to bankruptcy, as well as other important developments related to bankruptcy practice in other circuits. It publishes a summary of the past year’s Fifth Circuit bankruptcy decisions for the annual publication. The Committee presents continuing education panels at BAFFC seminars.

This committee studies decisions issued by the Supreme Court, the Fifth Circuit, the federal district courts and other administrative or judicial bodies within the Fifth Circuit. They will focus on the impact of these decisions on practice before the Fifth Circuit, federal district courts, and administrative decision-makers.  This committee brings together members to discuss matters of mutual interest, including legislative and policy issues involving civil practice, administrative law and regulatory practice. It publishes a summary of the past year’s Fifth Circuit civil and administrative law decisions for the annual publication. The Committee presents continuing education panels at BAFFC seminars.

The committee supports BAFFC’s communications plan, technologies and vehicles, including media relations, social media, website content, newsletters, the Following the Fifth annual publication and member communication to ensure visibility of the organization and its purpose.

This Committee monitors amendments to the Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, the United States Sentencing Guidelines, and the Criminal Rules of the various districts in the Circuit, as well as important Supreme Court, Fifth Circuit, and district court decisions in the areas of substantive criminal law and criminal procedure. It publishes a summary of the past year’s Fifth Circuit criminal decisions for the annual publication. The Committee presents continuing education panels at BAFFC seminars.

The committee creates and implements events and opportunities to engage and increase services to BAFFC members.

The officers shall constitute the Executive Committee of the Association. The president shall serve as the chair of the Executive Committee which shall have power to manage and control the affairs of the Association between meetings of the Board of Directors; provided, however, that the Executive Committee shall not have the authority to amend the Bylaws, remove any officer, adopt a plan for dissolution or liquidation of the organization, or to repeal or amend any formal action of the Board of Directors.

Chaired by the Treasurer, the committee ensures the investment of funds in compliance with the investment policy and governing documents and oversees BAFFC’s financial operations, including the annual operating budget, the review of financial statements, the annual audit and Internal Revenue Service 990 Filing.

The committee ensures the effective and equitable governance of BAFFC by conducting evaluations of relevant procedures and making recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding organizational policies and amendments to the By-Laws and Articles of Incorporation.

The committee focuses on identifying and meeting member needs, increasing membership, welcoming new members, and promoting awareness of BAFFC resources, services and benefits.

The committee is chaired by the President and receives the nominations for vacancies on the Board of Directors.

The committee advises on staff-related policies, makes recommendations to the board on HR policies, ensures compliance with laws and ethical guidelines, reviews procedures for employee codes of conduct, develops performance appraisal policy and a competitive salary structure, creates job descriptions and identifies training resources for staff to be effective and successful.

This Committee assists with the representation of indigent clients in the court of appeals and the district courts in civil matters. The committee coordinates special training seminars and supports the development of materials for attorneys handling appointed cases.

The committee develops projects, presentations, and continuing legal education panels of excellence for BAFFC.

This committee brings together newly minted attorneys to discuss issues pertinent in appellate practice.  The committee recommends panels for the Annual Appellate Advocacy Seminar held in the Fall and organizes networking events in conjunction with BAFFC events.