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Continuing Education Committee The
Continuing Education Committee has the responsibility of designing
and implementing the Association's Spring Seminar (usually held
in May) as well as its Annual Meeting, which is held in November.
Approximately 500 to 600 REBA members attend each of these programs
annually. From time to time, the Committee also develops its "road
show" programs which are designed for smaller audiences in
a class-room type setting. These programs share a common faculty
and are staged in many areas of the state (typically, Hyannis, New
Bedford, Boston, Andover, Worcester, Springfield and Pittsfield.).
The Committee welcomes new members and is continuing in its efforts
to present cutting edge information to seasoned conveyancers as
well as bread and butter basics for attorneys recently admitted
to the bar.
Ethics Committee The
Ethics Committee serves as a resource to REBA members regarding
questions regarding ethical issues. It also serves as a resource
to the Board of Bar Overseers regarding petitions by disbarred conveyancing
lawyers for reinstatement. From time to time, the Ethics Committee
drafts Standards relating to ethical issues in conveyancing. The
Committee welcomes new members.
Forms Committee The
Forms Committee routinely drafts forms which aid in the practice
of conveyancing and which relate to existing Title and Practice
Standards. The Committee welcomes new members.
Land
Use and Zoning
Legislation Committee The
Legislation Committee labors to gain passage of various bills proposed
by and/or supported by the Association, as well as monitors and
weighs in on legislation of interest introduced by others. REBA's
Legislation Committee provides both oral and written testimony on
a number of bills during legislative sessions. Upon request, REBA
often drafts legislative bills for members of the Senate and House
on issues relating to real estate. The Committee welcomes new members.
Membership & Public Relations Committee The
Membership & Public Relations Committee's responsibilities include
membership attraction and retention programs; editing REBA's quarterly
newsletter, REBA News; and developing REBA's advertising campaigns.
The Committee welcomes new members.
Nominating Committee The
Nominating Committee has the responsibilities of annually soliciting
nominations for the Richard B. Johnson Award and making a recommendation
to REBA's Board of Directors as to the recipient. Additionally,
the Committee produces an annual slate of officers and directors
for REBA. Membership on the Committee is limited to officers and
other appointments made by the Committee chair.
Committee on the Practice of Law by Non-Lawyers The
Committee on the Practice of Law by Non-Lawyers is concerned with
the unauthorized practice of law. It has successfully seen the Association
through two lawsuits on this issue: MCA, et al v Closings, Ltd,
et al and MCA, et al v Colonial Title & Escrow Company,
et al. The Committee remains vigilant in its efforts in protecting
the public from the unauthorized practice of law relating to real
estate closings. Membership is limited to past officers of the Association.
REBA members are encouraged to report instances of UPL to the Asssociation
office for further review by the Committee and the Association's
attorney.
Practice Standards Committee The
Practice Standards Committee is responsible for proposing revisions
to existing Practice Standards and drafting new Practice Standards
for consideration by the REBA Board of Directors and adoption by
the REBA membership. The present Committee is small (only five members)
that is continuously presented with interesting and challenging
tasks. The Committee welcomes inquiry from REBA members who are
interested in serving on the Committee. It meets approximately six
times per year, often via telephone conference call.
Registries Committee The
Registries Committee addresses issues that arise through the membership,
especially indexing and computerization of the Registries as well
as maintenance and access to the public records to insure availability.
The Committee meets often with representatives from the Secretary
of State's Office and the Massachusetts Association of Registers
of Deeds and Assistant Registers of Deeds. The Committee also keeps
abreast of future Registry matters including electronic recordings
(E-sign). The Committee welcomes new members.
Technology Committee The
primary goal of the Technology Committee has been to construct REBA's
web site with sections not only for REBA members, but also helpful
information for other attorneys and the home-buying public as well.
The Committee is closely monitoring electronic closings (E-sign)
and other issues involving E-commerce; closing software; and, other
technology related practice aids.
Title Insurance and National Affairs Committee The Title Insurance and National Affairs Committee regularly attends the Federal Conference sponsored by the American Land Title Association in the spring of the year in an effort to track national issues which affect conveyancers in Massachusetts. Additionally, the Committee is closely monitoring mortgage impairment insurance and proposed reforms to RESPA.
Title Standards Committee The
Title Standards Committee proposes amendments to existing Title
Standards (due to changes in case law and legislation) and drafts
new Title Standards for the REBA Board of Directors consideration
and recommendation for adoption by the general membership. The Committee
reviews the Land Court Guidelines, comparing them to the Title Standards
with the hope of bringing the two into as much harmony as possible.
The Committee has begun reviewing probate practices and standards
on bankruptcy transactions and their impact on conveyancing and
anticipates recommending new standards in this area. The Committee
welcomes suggestions from members of the Association as to areas
that are of interest and concern.
The
REBA Amicus Committee joins the Amicus Committee of the Abstract
Club to write and present amicus curiae briefs relating to real
estate law matters to the Appeals Court and the Supreme Judicial
Court, often at the Courts' invitation.
By-Laws Committee The
By-Laws Committee reviews and interprets the REBA's By-Laws. From
time to time it drafts amendments to the By-Laws and presents them
to the REBA Board of Directors for review and recommendation to
the general membership.
Mediation Services Committee The
Mediation Services Committee oversees the activities of the MCA's
wholly-owned subsidiary, MCA Dispute Resolution, Inc. The Committee
works to promote the utilization of alternative dispute resolution
and to increase the visibility of MCA Dispute Resolution among those
lawyers who do real estate litigation. MCA Dispute Resolution, Inc.
is a for-profit corporation which has its own board of directors.
The three directors are also members of the Mediation Services Committee.
The Committee acts as a liaison between MCA Dispute Resolution and
its sole shareholder, the MCA. The Committee meets periodically
to review the plans and the activities of the directors and reports
monthly to the MCA Board of Directors.
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