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In 1999, my wife visited a former Soviet bloc country. She remarked on the efficiency of traffic law enforcement there. If your car is stopped by an officer, you may pay or go to jail
until you pay. You are not in jail awaiting trial, because there is no trial; the officer is investigator, witness, prosecutor and judge.
Fortunately, we have more opportunities to be heard and participate under our system of government. This article will summarize three civic opportunities.
"and Justice for all" 2001 - "New Partners"
The 2001 "and Justice for all" fundraising campaign invites us all Ð but particularly "New
Partners" Ð to help this remarkable effort to fund three agencies providing service to the disadvantaged. Legal Aid Society, Disability Law Center and Utah Legal Services served an
additional 4,000 people because of this campaign. Over one-third of UtahÕs lawyers participated in this groundswell effort led by a committee of forty leading Utah attorneys. It is time
to bring in New Partners to show that a majority of UtahÕs lawyers back efforts to see that legal services are available to all in Utah. When I write out my check for the equivalent of
two billable hours, I think of all the times I answer my own legal questions, or help my family members. Then I think about those who do not have a lawyer in the family, and no means to
afford to ask the questions or get the help they need. Making legitimate legal service available prevents the unscrupulous from preying on those who really need an answer. We can help
people get answers and help them avoid advice from the untrained and unlicensed by supporting "and Justice for all."
The campaign needs to raise an additional $100,000 to
obtain a matching grant from the R Harold Burton Foundation. I just sent in my $400 check. (It never hurts to exaggerate your rate for a cause like this!) Send your check to: "and
Justice for all," 225 South 200 East, Suite 200, Salt Lake City, 84111.
Electing your Bar President
In mid December, the Utah Supreme Court responded to the report of its Task Force on Bar Governance and the comments on the report from Bar members.
The Court determined not to change the composition of the Bar Commission but has directed that the Bar President-elect will be elected by the entire Bar membership in a popular election.
The President-elect will then serve as President. The retention election implemented in 1991 has been eliminated.
To implement the new process, the Bar Commission adopted amendments to the Bar Bylaws and proposed an amendment to the Rules for Integration in its meeting on January 26, 2001. A petition
is being submitted to the Court for adoption of the revised Rule, and for confirmation of the revised Bylaws.
This new direct election process will be implemented this year for the presidential term July 1, 2002 - June 30, 2003. Highlights of the process are:
- The Commission will annually nominate two lawyers in good standing to run for President-elect.
Commissioners may announce their intention to seek the office, or suggest the name of any lawyer on active status and in good standing to run. Nomination will occur this year at the Commission Meeting in St. George on March 15, 2001. Two Commissioners have indicated their desire to be nominated by the Commission.
*All active members of the Bar, including out of state members, are eligible to vote for the President-elect.
*The election for President-elect will be conducted concurrently with the election of Commissioners.
Ballots for the President-elect election and for Commissioner elections will be mailed in early April and counted early in May.
You should expect to see a message from each nominee for Bar office with biographical information and photograph in the April issue of the Utah Bar Journal and enclosed with the election
ballots which will be sent out in early April.
Lawyers Helping Lawyers Becomes Fully Independent
The Lawyers Helping Lawyers Committee, which provides assistance to lawyers with stress, substance abuse or various other
impairments, became convinced over the past year that they will reach more lawyers if they stand completely independent of the Bar. For years this committee has had unique confidentiality
protection under Supreme Court rules. No one who contacts the program will ever be disclosed to the Office of Professional Conduct. OPC, however, is permitted to refer lawyers into the
program, to help remedy root sources of problems. The Committee has had a remarkable record of helping lawyers by making appropriate referral for rehabilitation or dependency assistance.
But now the program will be its own 501 (c)(3) corporation, with part time staff of its own. This will inspire even more confidence and hopefully elevate its visibility.
Lawyers Helping Lawyers still needs volunteers, and it still takes experienced lawyers and law office staff to help a lawyer in distress. If you can help in any way, please contact Richard
Dibblee at 801 297-7029 or rdibblee@utahbar.org. If you need help, call the digital pager "Helpline" 801 219-8220 to leave a voice or numeric message.
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