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Commission Highlights
During its regularly scheduled meeting of August 2, 2002, which was held in Salt Lake City, Utah the Board of Bar Commissioners received the following
reports and took the actions indicated.
1. The Board approved the minutes of the June 26, 2002 Commission meeting via the consent agenda.
2.
John Adams presented Denise Dragoo with a plaque in recognition of appreciation of her many years of service on the Commission. Scott Daniels also presented her with an "Oath of Attorney" plaque.
3.
John Adams updated the Commission on the Dialogue on Freedom project. Charles Stewart, the Bar's Pro Bono Coordinator is currently assisting full time (along with Summer Shumway) and also spoke.
4. John Adams reported that John Rees has been appointed as an Annual Convention co-chair but to date the other co-chair position has not yet been filled.
5.
John Adams requested that the Bar Commissioners contact the chairs of each section and committee of which they are the liaisons, and discuss what level of involvement would be appropriate.
6. The Annual Bar Leadership meeting will be held at the University of Utah Alumni House on October 2 and begin with lunch.
7.
The Commission reviewed the possibility of "outside" support for the Lawyers Helping Lawyers Program and the future ABA audit.
8.
The Commission discussed the Bar's survey on the Annual Convention, noting that we can make a location change if we have a year's notice.
9.
Debra Moore reported on the Commission Task Force on Delivery of Legal Services. A facilitator has been hired to conduct statewide focus group sessions in order to gather consumer input. The focus group will be designed, in part, to ascertain if those individuals have access to the internet, if they have had previous experience with lawyers, what their legal needs consist of and how they would go about finding a lawyer. A lengthy discussion followed related to further development of various related aspects.
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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Dialogue on Freedom Update
The Dialogue on Freedom program has achieved amazing success! The program is still going strong, but already the numbers are impressive.
As of September 13, 2002, Utah attorneys have conducted 1,292 dialogues in over 100 schools to 35,505 Utah students. This means that, on average, Utah attorneys and members of government
have given over 250 presentations per day. Schools are still submitting requests for presentations and the Bar continues to schedule additional presenters, so there will be a complete
report on the Dialogue on Freedom in next month's Bar Journal.
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Eligibility Requirements for Court Appointment as a Private Attorney Guardian Ad Litem
Utah Code Anno. Section 78-7-45
The Utah Office of Guardian ad Litem offers
training for attorneys who desire to be eligible for Court appointment as Private Attorney Guardians ad Litem in child custody and visitation cases, and in cases when the Office of
Guardian ad Litem is in need ot conflict counsel. The following is a list of requirements to be met in order to act as a Private Attorney Guardian ad Litem:
1. Be a member in good standing with the Utah State Bar.
2.
Apply, initially by letter, to the Utah Office of Guardian ad Litem (c/o Lori Brown, Administrative Assistant, 450 South State Street, P.O. Box 140241, Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-0241; (801) 578-3829, fax (801) 578-3843) expressing interest in being eligible for Court appointment as a private guardian ad litem. Other application materials must also be completed in conjunction with the initial training course.
3. Complete the initial training course (approximately 15 hours) established and facilitated by the Utah Office of Guardian ad Litem (and usually earn CLE credit in the process);
and
5 hours of in-service training within each year thereafter. Although there is no cost for the training classes, there are some minor out-of-pocket costs involved (e.g., BCI criminal background check: $15.00; video tapes of some course sessions; optional reference books and materials; etc).
4. Pass an FBI, BCI, DCFS Child Abuse Data Base, and any other like data base screening by the Utah Office of Guardian ad Litem in any state in which the applicant has resided.
5.
Sign an agreement in a form approved by the Utah Office of Guardian ad Litem to be removed from the appointment eligiblity list in the event of failure to perform in a competent manner as determined by the Office, or the failure to meet minimum qualifications.
6. File monthly reports with the Utah Office of Guardian ad Litem on assigned cases in the format approved by said Office.
7. Be evaluated at the discretion of the Utah Office of Guardian ad Litem for competent performance and minimum qualifications.
If you have questions regarding the program you may contact:
Craig M. Bunnell, Esquire
Training Coordinator
Office of Guardian ad Litem
P.O. Box 140241
Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-0241
Phone: (801) 238-7861
2002-2003 Training Schedule
(specific dates will be assigned when training nears)
August - September 2002
7th District (Price and 8th District (Vernal)
October - November 2002
2nd District (Layton)
January - February 2003
3rd District (Salt Lake)
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