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State Bar News
Commission Highlights
During its regularly scheduled meeting March 15, 2001 which was held in St. George, Utah, the Board of Bar Commissioners received the
following reports and took the actions indicated.
1. The Supreme Court's order dated February 20, 2001 amended the Rules for Integration and Bylaws to provide for a direct election of the President-elect as well as
for the removal and vacancy procedures for officers including the President and President-elect.
2. Lowry Snow reported on the National Conference of Bar Presidents.
3. Updates of MDP, MJP and Admissions were addressed.
4. The Commission approved the grant to the Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee in conjunction with the Legal
Assistant Division, the Multi-Cultural Legal Center and Utah Legal Services requesting a grant of $7,500 to assist in defraying the costs of newspaper advertising, and the
printing and distribution of flyers. The project is intended to inform the ethnic and racial minority communities as well as the general public about those who may be engaged
in the unauthorized practice of law.
5. It was noted that the newest member of the Bar Commission, Josie Valdez, the public member appointed by the Supreme Court, has
resigned. The Court will need to appoint her replacement. David Hamilton and Felshaw King are running for the representative of the Second Division. In the Third Division
there are three openings and three candidates consisting of Gus Chin, Karin Hobbs and David Bird. Therefore no election will be necessary.
6. The Commission reviewed the financial statements.
7. Charles R. Brown reported on the ABA meetings.
8. Katherine Fox led the discussion on the proposed amendments to
the Bar Examination Review and Appeal Procedure as well as administrative licensing policies. The Commission approved the revisions.
9. Randy Kester reported on the recent Judicial Summit Conference.
10. The Commission slated Denise Dragoo and John Adams as the President-elect nominees. It was noted that
there would be an opportunity for the President-elect nominees to speak at the Mid-year Convention next 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, or on the Bar's website, www.utahbar.org.
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Ethics Advisory Opinion Committee Seeks Applicants
The Utah State Bar is currently accepting applications to fill a vacancy on the 14-member Ethics Advisory Opinion Committee. Lawyers who have an interest in the
Bar's ongoing efforts to resolve ethical issues are encouraged to apply.
The charge of the Committee is to prepare formal written opinions concerning the ethical issues
that face Utah lawyers and to forward these opinions to the Board of Bar Commissions for its approval.
Because the written opinions of the Committee have major and enduring significance to the Bar and the general public, the Bar solicits the participation of lawyers
and members of the judiciary who can make a significant commitment to the goals of the Committee and the Bar.
If you are interested in serving on the Ethics Advisory Opinion Committee, please submit an application with the following information, either in resume or narrative
form:
- Basic information, such as years and location of practice, type of practice (large firm, solo, corporate, government, etc.), and substantive areas of practice.
- A brief description of your interest in the Committee, including relevant experience and commitment to contribute to well-written, well-researched opinions.
- Appointments will be made to maintain a Committee that:
- Is dedicated to carrying out its responsibilities; i.e., to consider ethical questions in a timely manner and issue well-reasoned and articulate opinions.
- Involves diverse views, experience and backgrounds from the members of the practicing Bar.
If you want to contribute to this important function of the Bar, please submit a letter and resume indicating your interest to:
Gary G. Sackett, Chairman
Ethics Advisory Opinion Committee
P.O. Box 45444 Salt Lake City, Utah 84145
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Utah State Bar 2001 Mid-Year Meeting Awards
Dorathy Merrill Brothers Award for the Advancement of Women in the Legal Profession
Laura Milliken Gray
graduated with honors from the University of Utah College of Law in 1991 and was admitted to the Utah State Bar that same year. She served judicial clerkships with Utah Supreme Court Chief Justice Gordon R. Hall, and with Utah Court of Appeals Judge James Z. Davis.
Since 1996, Ms. Gray has owned and operated her own law firm, Laura Milliken Gray, P.C. Laura's areas of practice include estate planning, probate, trust and will
administration, guardianship, adoption, mediation and small business law. She has volunteered her time on several high profile civil rights cases, including the East High Gay
Straight Alliance vs. Board of Education of the Salt Lake City School District.
Ms. Gray previously served as the Chairperson of the Utah State Bar's Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Committee, and is presently a member of the Utah State
Bar's ADR and Estate Planning Sections. She belongs to the National Network of Estate Planning Attorneys and the Salt Lake Estate Planning Council.
Ms. Gray is a member of the University of Utah College of Law's Alumni Association Board of Trustees and sits on the Salt Lake Olympic Organizing Committee's
Volunteer Work Group.
Ms. Gray has served as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Utah, where she taught a course entitled Women and the Law. She has authored many published articles
about estate planning and other legal topics. She lectures and speaks regularly on various estate planning subjects, and has developed a specialty in estate planning for
nontraditional couples.
Raymond S. Uno Award for the Advancement of Minorities in the Legal Profession
Hon. Tyrone E. Medley
graduated from the University of Utah College of Law in 1977. He was admitted to the Utah State Bar in 1978. Following his admission to the Bar, he worked as a Deputy Salt Lake County Attorney until 1981. In 1981, he entered private practice with an emphasis in criminal law, domestic relations, sports law, contract negotiations and was a Certified Advisor under the National Football League Certification Program.
In 1984, Judge Medley was appointed to the Third Circuit Court by Governor Scott M. Matheson. He served in this capacity until 1993, when he was appointed to the
Third Judicial District Court.
Judge Medley has been a member of several organizations and associations including the American Bar Association, the American Judges Association, the Utah State Bar
Committee for Women and Minorities, the Statewide Transition Team for Consolidation of Circuit and District Courts, the Utah State Sentencing Guidelines Task Force, the Utah
State Commission on Minority Education, the Utah Jazz Minority Intern Development Committee and the Utah Sentencing Commission.
Judge Medley is the recipient of many awards including the Distinguished Service Award from the Outstanding Professional Minority Business and Professional
Directory, the Mt. Calvary Baptist Church Role Model Award of Recognition, The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association and Utah Minority Bar Association Award in
Recognition of Outstanding Achievement, Leadership and Contribution to the Minority Legal Community and the NAACP Albert B. Fritz Civil Rights Worker of the Year Award.
He distinguishes himself by becoming the first African-American Judge in the history of the State of Utah.
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Request for Comment on Proposed Bar Budget
The Bar staff and officers are currently preparing a proposed budget for the fiscal year which begins July 1, 2001 and ends June 30, 2002. The process being followed
includes review by the Commission's Executive Committee and the Bar's Budget & Finance Committee, prior to adoption of the final budget by the Bar Commission at its July
4, 2001 meeting.
The Commission is interested in assuring that the process includes as much feedback by as many members as possible. A copy of the proposed budget, in its most
current permutation, will be available for inspection and comment at the Law & Justice Center after May 31, 2001. You may pick up a copy from the receptionist.
Please call or write John Baldwin at the Bar office with your questions or comments.
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Notice Regarding Reappointment
The current term of office of Judith Boulden, United States Bankruptcy Judge for the District of Utah in Salt Lake City, is due to expire on January 3, 2002. The
United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit is considering the reappointment of Judge Boulden to a new term of office.
Upon reappointment, Judge Boulden would continue to exercise the jurisdiction of a bankruptcy judge as specified in title 28, United States Code; title 11, United
States Code; and the Bankruptcy Amendments and Federal Judgeship Act of 1984, Pub. L. No. 98-353, subsection 101-122, 98 Stat. 333-346. In bankruptcy cases and proceedings
referred by the district court, Judge Boulden would continue to perform the duties of a bankruptcy judge that might include holding status conferences, conducting hearings and
trials, making final determinations, entering orders and judgments, and submitting proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law to the district court.
Members of the bar and the public are invited to submit comments for consideration by the court of appeals regarding the reappointment of Bankruptcy Judge Boulden to
a new term of office. All comments will be kept confidential and should be directed to Elisabeth A. Shumaker, Circuit Executive, Byron White U.S. Courthouse, 1823 Stout
Street, Denver, CO 80257.
Comments must be received by June 30, 2001.
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ANNOUNCEMENT
The Formation of a new Section of the Utah State Bar
NONPROFIT/CHARITABLE
This section will focus on the needs of nonprofit, charitable and tax-exempt organizations. Sign up for the section on your 2002 Licensing Form or via email at
sections@utahbar.org
Questions: Call Bruce Olson,
Ray, Quinney & Nebeker, 532-1500
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NOTICE
of Legislative Rebate
Bar policies and procedures provide that any member may receive a proportionate dues rebate for legislative related expenditures by notifying the Executive Director,
John C. Baldwin, 645 South 200 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84111.
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