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Commission Highlights
During its regularly scheduled meeting of March 13, 2003, which was held in St. George, Utah, the Board of Commissioners received the
following reports and took the actions indicated.
1. John T. Nielsen, the Bar's long time lobbyist, reported on H.B. 349 and other bills relating to courts, judges and lawyers. He
also outlined the Governor's veto process, stating that the Governor has 20 days after the General Session ends to sign or veto a bill. If the veto is exercised, it can be overridden by a
2/3's majority of the Senate.
2. John Adams reported on the Marbury v. Madison project.
3. Karin Hobbs announced that the judges school presentation was being
scheduled for April 18th. Panels consisting of federal and state court judges are in the process of being finalized, and MCLE credit is being sought.
4. John Adams announced that Carol Clawson has been asked to serve as a co-chair for the September "Mini" Convention.
5. John Adams reported that there was broad support
for the Bar's proposed judicial criticism program and that revisions had been made to the written policy to address concerns over the mechanics such as timing and whom should be
consulted. He said that the program had been presented to the Judicial Council which expressed its appreciation.
6. John Adams reported that the committee to review the resolution on the OPC ombudsman will need some more time.
7. Debra Moore distributed a draft copy of the Commission's Task
Force on Delivery of Legal Services Report for informational purposes. She advised that the report will be finalized in the near future.
8. Charles R. Brown reported on the ABA
mid-year meeting in Seattle. Leading topics at the meeting included the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, federal judges'salaries, and the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act's [lawyers'] public notice requirements.
9. Dane Nolan reported on the Judicial Council meeting. He noted that Chief Justice Durham was very complimentary of the Bar's Marbury v. Madison program. Chief Justice Durham also said she would like to link the Court's and Bar's web sites. Mr. Nolan also said that there was great interest in the Bar's proposed criticism of judges and courts policy. The West Jordan Court facility was finally approved and funded. It is slated for opening in June 2005 and will accommodate four juvenile and four district court judges with the ability to double in size. Dane continued his report by noting that Justice Durham reported to the Council that the Court expects Jill Parrish to join them on May 17th, that Ronald Nehring takes office sometime in May, and that Justice Russon's farewell is slated for May 16th at 4:00 p.m. She also said that the Court believes H.B. 349 infringes upon the Court's jurisdiction to govern the practice of law.
10. Rep. Stephen Urquhart appeared at the Commission's invitation to talk about H.B. 349. There was extensive discussion on the subject of delivery of legal services to the middle
class. Mr. Adams advised Mr. Urquhart of the Commission's decision to seek the Governor's veto.
11. Pursuant to the pertinent bylaw provisions and current Bar policies,
Commissioners determined by vote that Randy Kester and George Daines are the President-Elect nominees.
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.
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2003 Annual Convention Awards
The Board of Bar Commissioners is seeking nominations for the 2003 Annual Convention Awards. These awards have a long history of
honoring publicly those whose professionalism, public service and personal dedication have significantly enhanced the administration of justice, the delivery of legal services and the
building up of the profession. Your award nomination must be submitted in writing to Maud Thurman, Executive Secretary, 645 South 200 East, Suite 310, Salt Lake City, UT 84111, no later
than Friday, May 30, 2003. The award categories include:
1.Judge of the Year
2.Lawyer of the Year
3.Young Lawyer of the Year
4.Section/Committee of the Year
5.Community Member of the Year
6.Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year
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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, 2003 and
ends June 30, 2004. 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 June 6, 2003 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. 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 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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Mailing of Licensing Forms
The licensing forms for 2003-2004 will be mailed during the last week of May and the first week of June. Fees are due July 1, 2003,
however fees received or postmarked on or before August 1, 2003 will be processed without penalty.
It is the responsibility of each attorney to provide the Bar with current address
information. This information must be submitted in writing. Failure to notify the Bar of an address change does not relieve an attorney from paying licensing fees, late fees, or possible
suspension for non-payment of fees. You may check the Bar's website to see what information is on file. The site is updated weekly and is located at www.utahbar.org.
If you need to update your address please submit the information to Arnold Birrell, Utah State Bar, 645 South 200 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84111-3834. You may also fax the
information to (801) 531-9537.
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Thank You!
We wish to acknowledge the efforts and contributions of all those who made this year's Law Day celebrations a success. We extend a special
thank you to:
Cache County Bar Association
Government Law & Military Law Sections, Utah State Bar
Office of the Staff Judge Advocate, Hill Air Force Base
Fort Douglas Army Legal Office and
Utah Air and Army National Guard
Law Day 5K Run/Walk
Lon Jenkins Ð Chair, Law Day Run/Walk Committee
and its members, and all those who participated.
Law Day Luncheon/Awards
Young Lawyer Division Ð Victoria Fitlow, President
Mickell Jiminez Rowe & Kelly Williams, Co-Chairs
and the following
Clyde Snow Sessions & Swenson
Community Legal Center
Dart, Adamson & Donovan
Farr, Kaufman, Sullivan, Gorman, Jensen, Medsker, Nichols & Perkins
Holland & Hart
Manning, Curtis, Bradshaw & Bednar
Olson & Hoggan
Parr Waddoups Brown Gee Loveless
Parsons Behle & Latimer
Ray, Quinney & Nebeker
Suitter Axland
TraskBritt
Mock Trial Competition
Utah Law Related Education Project and all volunteer coaches, judges, teachers and students.
Salt Lake County Bar Association
Art & the Law Project
Thank you for your participation!
Bar Commission
Law Related Education
and Law Day Committee
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Congratulations...
The ABA Standing Committee on Public Education recognized the Uintah County Justice Court for its first-ever Law Day celebration by presenting
the "Outstanding 2002 Law Day Activity" Award to the Honorable G. H. Petry. Judge Petry accepted the award during the ABA’s Midyear Meeting in Seattle, Washington.
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The Utah Fellows of the American College of Trial Lawyers are proud to announce that L. Rich Humpherys, Francis J. Carney, and Ellen Maycock have been inducted into the College.
The American College of Trial Lawyers strives to improve the standards of trial practice, the administration of justice and the ethics, civility, and collegiality of the trial
profession
Invitation to Fellowship is extended only after careful investigation to those experienced trial lawyers who have mastered the art of advocacy and whose professional careers
have been marked by highest standards of ethical conduct, professionalism, civility, and collegiality.
Lawyers must have a minimum of fifteen years’ trial experience before they can be considered for Fellowship and membership in the College cannot exceed 1% of the total lawyer
population of any state or province.
The Utah Fellows of the College congratulate Rich Humpherys, Frank Carne, and Ellen Maycock, and welcome them to the Fellowship.
Francis M. Wikstrom
Utah State Chair
American College of Trial Lawyers
State Committee
Alan Sullivan
Elliott Williams
David Greenwood
David Eckersley
Janet Hugie Smith
Gordon Campbell
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