The Utah State Bar Consumer Assistance Program (CAP) is designed to help clients resolve conflicts they have with their attorneys. Conflicts that do not rise to the level of an ethical complaint may be addressed by the CAP Attorney.

The goals of the Consumer Assistance Program are as follows:

• Provide consumers with a remedy for the resolution of minor issues that arise between them and their attorneys;
• Improve consumer satisfaction with attorneys by striving to resolve minor issues quickly and informally;
• Save time and effort of attorneys responding to minor issues; and
• Provide assistance to attorneys having difficulty with minor issues.

Resolve Conflicts with Your Attorney
Obtain a Consumer Assistance Program Request for Assistance Form. DOWNLOAD

Additionally, consumers may leave their name and address with the Utah State Bar receptionist at 801-531-9077, and a Request for Assistance Form will be mailed to them.

Consumers should submit the completed and signed form to the following address:

Utah State Bar
645 South 200 East
Salt Lake City, UT 84111

The Resolution Process:
All Requests for Assistance forms received by the Utah State Bar are initially screened by the Office of Professional Conduct. Matters which do not rise to the level of an ethical complaint may be forwarded to the Consumer Assistance Program (CAP). The CAP Attorney then reviews the Request for Assistance form and contacts the consumer to fully discuss the issues presented. The CAP Attorney often communicates with the attorney by letter, explains the consumer’s concerns, and requests that the attorney contact the consumer to resolve the issue or problem. After the matter is resolved between the attorney and consumer, then the CAP file is closed and the contents are destroyed.

Consumer Assistance Program Mission Statement
The Consumer Assistance Program (CAP) is unique among the Utah State Bar programs in that it provides fairly quick and non-invasive assistance to both consumers and attorneys involved in minor conflict with each other. The CAP attorney, in a professional and courteous manner, provides the often necessary communication link between consumers and their counsel as consumers strive to understand the law, as it applies to their individual situations, and the procedural rules of the court, and as attorneys strive to educate their clients about the law and legal procedure.