As amended through November 5, 2024
(a)Petition. Those seeking to form a new practice section shall secure the signatures of not less than twenty-five (25) bar members, on a form prescribed by the Commissioners.(b)Statement of Purpose; Practice Section Title. A petition seeking formation of a new practice section shall include a statement of purpose and a proposed title for that practice section. The statement of purpose and title shall reflect the particularized field(s) or aspect(s) of the practice law in which the practice section intends to concentrate. Practice sections will not be authorized if it appears that their purpose is to promote a particular political or ideological point of view.(c)Action by Commissioners. Upon receipt of a petition for formation of a practice section, the Commissioners shall review the petition for conformance with these Rules. Thereafter, the Commissioners shall: (1) Approve formation of the practice section under such terms and conditions as it may deem necessary for conformance with these Rules; or(2) Return the petition to its originators, noting any changes needed in order to bring the petition in conformance with these Rules; or(3) Reject the petition as being not in conformance with these Rules or as otherwise duplicative of an existing practice section.(d)Organizational Meeting; Officers; By-Laws. Upon its approval, a practice section shall conduct an organizational meeting, after appropriate notice is published in The Advocate or sent by electronic communication from the Bar to Bar Members . At the organizational meeting, the practice section shall elect officers to serve until the time set for annual election of officers. The practice section shall also adopt by-laws, in the form generally prescribed for that purpose by the Commissioners. The by-laws shall become effective upon approval by the Commissioners. Specific Commissioner approval shall be necessary for material modifications to the uniform by-laws.(e)Amendments to By-Laws. All amendments to a practice section's by-laws shall require the prior approval of the Commissioners.Amended December 28, 2023, effective 3/1/2024.