Utah Bar Journal

Commission Highlights

During its regularly scheduled meeting of October 8, 2004 which was held in Salt Lake City, Utah, the Board of Bar Commissioners received the following reports and took the actions indicated.

1. Gus Chin noted that the Utah Minority Bar Association's Banquet is scheduled for Friday, October 29th and encouraged Commissioner attendance.

2. John Baldwin reported on 2006 Annual Convention sites. He stated that he, Richard Dibblee and Connie Howard will be conducting a site visit in three weeks to Newport Beach.

3. John Baldwin reviewed the Bar's Pro Bono Service that the Bar has developed in collaboration with the J. Reuben Clark Law School. This program will provide the assistance of BYU law students on pro bono cases. This partnership will give attorneys the opportunity to mentor a future lawyer while you perform pro bono work, teaching them first hand the importance of dedicating time to providing legal service to the underprivileged.

4. John Baldwin discussed the OPC annual report. John reminded Commissioners that OPC works for the Supreme Court under their rules and the Commission sets the priorities and policies. Discussion followed. George Daines commented that it would help immensely if the general membership would review this report.

5. Katherine Fox reviewed the petition status and discussion followed.

6. John Baldwin reviewed the break-out sessions with the section officers along with binders which included materials such as section bylaws, a list of section activities and a list of section membership. Discussion followed John's remarks.

7. The motion to accept and approve the July 2004 Bar Exam passing applicants passed unanimously.

8. Lauren Scholnick was chosen as the recipient of the Pro Bono award and Peggi Lowden was chosen as the recipient of the Community Member award.

9. George Daines reviewed the audit report, and discussion followed. The audit was unanimously accepted by the Commission.

10. The UPL Committee requested authorization from the Commission to seek a permanent injunction against Frank Saucedo. The motion passed unopposed to authorize formal action on this item.

11. D'Arcy Dixon Pignanelli discussed the Grants Committee report. A lengthy discussion followed. George Daines asked D'Arcy to bring the revised report back to the December Commission meeting.

12. David Bird gave the Judicial Council report. Dave remarked that Judge Thorne had noted at the most recent meeting that the Pew Commission is working on a project regarding children in foster care and it is a major concern nationwide and the courts are looking at increases for judicial salaries.

13. Paul Moxley said the ABA is planning on holding their Mid-Year meeting in Salt Lake City with a function on Sunday, February 6th, 2005 at 6:00 p.m. at the Wells Fargo Building on the 23rd floor.

14. Nate Alder reminded the Commissioners of the passing of Lee E. Teitelbaum, Professor of Law & former Dean at S.J. Quinney College of Law. The service in his honor was held at the Sutherland Moot Courtroom on Friday, October 8, 2004.

15. It was noted that Commissioner Mary Kay Griffin was chosen as the CPA of the year.

A full text of minutes of this and other meetings of the Bar Commission is available for inspection at the office of the Executive Director.

Posted by at November 24, 2004 02:59 PM