Class 28 Nominations
Richard E. Mikels,
Chair, Board of Regents
due on June 6, 2016. I’m pleased that we are on track for choosing the next class of Fellows. I hope and trust that you are considering submitting packages for worthy candidates. Filling out the packages is not an easy task, but the hard work of Fellows in the past always has proven very worthwhile – as evidenced by the remarkable qualities of our Fellows. The packages should be returned to the Regents for the various Circuits, the Chair of the Judicial Nominating Committee, or the Chair of the International Fellows Nominating Committee, as appropriate for the particular candidate. The approximately 100 members of the Circuit admissions councils and the two nominating committees will commence the arduous and essential task of reviewing the nomination materials and vetting the candidates. They will be reaching out to many of the other approximately 700 active status Fellows and to many of the emeritus status Fellows seeking input about the potential nominees. This process is the lifeblood of the College, and is an essential component in maintaining and safeguarding the organization’s accomplishments and its place in the insolvency world.
The demanding criteria for selection of Fellows in Article II, Section 3, of the bylaws are worth repeating, particularly for those considering nominating a candidate to become a Fellow. It reads: “Membership shall be restricted by invitation to honor those individuals who have proven to their peers, and to the bar, bench and public, through long, continuous performance in their bankruptcy specialty that they possess (i) the highest professional qualifications and ethical standards; (ii) that high level of character, integrity, professional expertise and leadership which demonstrates the likelihood that they will continue to contribute to the enhancement of bankruptcy scholarship, continuing education, and the bankruptcy process; (iii) a commitment to fostering and furthering the objectives of the College; (iv) sustained, exceptionally high quality professional services to clients, bar, bench, and public; and (v) significant evidence of scholarship, teaching, lecturing, and/or distinguished published writings on bankruptcy practice, procedure, philosophy, improvements and reforms which demonstrates a consistent contribution to the enhancement of bankruptcy literature, education, practice and process.” Note the breadth of the criteria including excellence in the candidate’s profession, longevity as insolvency professional, and giving back through activities like educating, writing and speaking about our field. The nomination form requires the nominator and the two sponsors to certify, among other things, that the candidate “…maintain[s] the highest ethical and professional standards.”
The various letters of recommendation should address character and the other criteria as well, but the best way for us to confirm that a candidate satisfies the College’s high standards is through one-on-one discussions with the nominators, sponsors and other Fellows. Any such discussions are, of course, confidential, and you may ask the Fellow conducting the due diligence to report the results without including your name or otherwise identifying you. Whether or not you wish to remain anonymous, the discussions within the admissions council or nominating committee will remain confidential. Delivering a negative review may be unpleasant, but upholding the standards established by the bylaws more than justifies any discomfort.
The circuit admission councils and nominating committees will make their decisions by August 19, 2016, and will send me the nomination packages of their recommended candidates no later than August 26, 2016. A second round of due diligence
Nomination packages have been circulated to all Fellows, and the completed packages for Class 28 candidates are due