Vol. 28, No. 2 #5 (April 2005). FROM THE DESK OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.

• Author: By Mary B. Guthrie

Wyoming Bar Journal

2005.

Vol. 28, No. 2 #5 (April 2005).

FROM THE DESK OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

WYOMING LAWYERApril 2005/Vol. XXVIII, No. 2FROM THE DESK OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR . . .By Mary B. Guthrie

I enjoy writing the Executive Director's column. I am afforded a great deal of latitude on the subject matter, and I can experiment with various writing styles. This month's column will be a potpourri of ideas.(fn1) The topics that I will touch upon are: the 2005 legislative session; new Court rules; the American Inns of Court movement; the Bar's new website; and an unconventional CLE class. 2005 LEGISLATIVE SESSION

"Laws are like sausages; it is better not to see them being made." Otto von Bismarck (18 15-1898)

Over 540 bills were introduced during the legislative session and about 300 were enacted into law. While not many directly affect the legal profession, you should be aware of the following:

* HEA102, "Wyoming Professional Assistance Program," provides that the Lawyer Assistance Program could become part of the Wyoming Professional Assistance Program, which deals with impaired health care professionals.

* HEA 134, "Medical Review Panel," was passed in response to the voters' approval of Constitutional Amendment C. The Act provides that admissibility of a panel decision will be left to the trial court's discretion. Panels will be comprised of two health care providers, two attorneys and one layperson. Attorney panelists will be selected from a list of attorneys provided by the Bar. Panelists will be paid $500 for each half day of service and $200 for preparation days.

* HEA 137, "Guardians Ad Litem," provides for training and certification of GALs and appropriates funds.

* SEA 79, "Courts - jurisdictional limits," increases the jurisdictional amount for circuit courts from $7,000 to $10,000.

* SEA 103, "Medical Malpractice Claims Reporting," will require health care providers to report all medical malpractice claims, settlements and jury awards.

However, it is more interesting to consider some of the bills that were introduced and not approved. I am sure that many Wyoming residents were dismayed that the jackalope was not designated as Wyoming's official mythical creature. Other curious bills would have recognized nontraditional medicine, including meditation, prayer, yoga, aromatherapy and hypnosis as legitimate...