IN RE: ARKANSAS RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR MINIMUM CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION; and Rules Governing Admission to the Bar

Supreme Court of Arkansas

Opinion delivered February 2, 2006

Per Curiam. The Arkansas Rules for Minimum Continuing Legal Education (Rules) provide that certain notices to attorneys be sent via "Certified Mail, Restricted Delivery, Return Receipt Requested". The Arkansas Continuing Legal Education Board (Board) advises that the "Restricted Delivery" provision is rarely enforced by the Post Office. Further, the addition of that requirement accounts for almost one-half of the expense of such a mailing. Accordingly, the Board requests the removal of that requirement from the Rules. We agree with the recommendation and adopt Rule 6.(D) and the first paragraph of Rule 6.(G) as they appear on the attachment to this order. The remaining paragraphs of Rule 6.(G) are not affected by this order.

Further, the Board suggests the adoption of a rule specifying that the address an attorney maintains with the Clerk of this Court shall be his or her address of record. We agree with the recommendation and adopt a new Subsection F. to appear at the end of Rule 7 of the Rules Governing Admission to the Bar as shown on the attachment to this order.

Arkansas Rules for Minimum Continuing Legal Education

Rules 6.(D) and (G)

6.(D) If within the allotted time as set out in paragraph 6.(C) above, the attorney fails either to provide written evidence of compliance or that the noncompliance has been corrected, the Board, through its Secretary, shall serve a notice of intent to suspend upon the affected attorney. Such notice shall be mailed to the address the attorney maintains with the Clerk of the Arkansas Supreme Court. The notice shall be sent by certified mail, return receipt requested. Such notice shall apprise the attorney that his or her Arkansas law license shall be considered for suspension at the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board. Such notice shall be sent at least 20 days prior to that meeting. Upon written request of the attorney, a hearing shall be conducted at that meeting.

6.(G) Promptly after a Board vote of suspension, the Secretary shall notify the affected attorney by way of certified mail, return receipt requested. In addition, the Secretary shall promptly file the order of suspension with the Clerk of the Arkansas Supreme Court and notify Arkansas state judges of general jurisdiction and the United States District Court Clerk.

Rules Governing Admission to the Bar

Rule VII Application for License

F.

At the time of licensure, the new admittee shall provide a mailing address to the Clerkof this Court. The address on record with the Clerk shall constitute the address for service by mail. Attorneys shall be responsible for informing the Clerk in writing and within a reasonable time of any change of such address.