| Below
are some of the most common question that the Utah State Bar receives.
If you have a question of general interest that you could like to see
answered here, please email to info@utahbar.org.
We regret that specific legal questions cannot be addressed.
What
is the Utah State Bar?
The Utah State Bar is an organization of Utah's 7,500 lawyers and judges.
The history of the Utah State Bar began in the early 1900's with the
association of several Utah lawyers hoping to improve communication
within the legal community and to find ways of serving the general public.
In 1931 the Utah Legislature recognized the need to foster those goals
and designated the Utah State Bar by statute to manage and regulate
the legal profession by licensing all persons who engage in the practice
of law. In 1985, the Utah State Constitution was amended to clarify
that regulation of the legal profession should be performed under the
Judicial Branch of government through the Utah Supreme Court, and the
Bar was "perpetuated, created and continued" to perform regulatory
and public interest services under the direction and control of the
Supreme Court.
Today's Bar envisions its role as leading society in the creation of
a justice system that is understood, valued, respected and accessible
to all. Within that vision, we have established a mission of representing
lawyers in Utah and serving the public and the legal profession by promoting
justice, professional excellence, civility, ethics, respect for and
understanding of the law.
The membership of the Bar includes active and inactive lawyers, and
lawyers who reside within and outside the State of Utah. In order to
practice law in the State of Utah, it is necessary to be a member of
the Utah State Bar. The Utah State Bar maintains offices at 645 South
200 East in Salt Lake City, Utah in the Utah Law and Justice Center.
The Bar officers include a president and a president elect who are elected
from a commission of 11 lawyers, 2 public members, and several ex-officio
members. The Bar has an office staff with various responsibilities related
to the administration of the practice of law and services to lawyers
and services to the public.
_________________________________________BACK
to Top of Page
How
do I become a lawyer?
Specific rules govern admission to the Utah State Bar. To practice law
in Utah, it is necessary to graduate from an American Bar Association
accredited law school and pass a review of the Character and Fitness
Committee according to adopted rules, and complete the bar examination.
The bar examination consists of essay and multiple choice questions.
Applicants must also successfully pass the Multi-state Professional
Responsibility Examination.
_________________________________________BACK
to Top of Page
How
do I find a lawyer?
- Find a Utah Lawyer Directory - Search for a Utah lawyer using simple forms, information on common practice areas, and frequently asked questions about attorneys and legal services. MORE>>>
- The Utah State Bar has partnered with LegalMatch to help you find a pre-screened Utah lawyer. Describe your legal issue and interested lawyers will provide a personalized response. Compare lawyers by experience, ratings & more. Then choose the lawyer right for you. Post your case today! It's Free!
For those individuals whose disability prevents access to the Internet, LegalMatch maintains a toll-free number: 866-678-5342. For all others wishing assistance through this call-in service, there will be a fee.
_________________________________________BACK
to Top of Page
What
if I cannot afford a lawyer?
The need for legal services for the middle-class and poor in Utah far
exceeds the resources available. However, Utah lawyers volunteer in
several programs to provide legal services on a low cost or pro bono
basis. The Tuesday Night Bar program offers an opportunity to meet with
a lawyer and discuss whether the matter needs further legal attention.
Referrals may be given to providers of legal services at low or no cost.
There are several pro bono legal services organizations.
The Utah State Bar has a pro bono volunteer coordinator to ensure that
those lawyers who desire to provide free services to the poor are coordinated
with referral agencies. The pro bono service coordinator at the Bar
is not a referral agency for individuals seeking legal assistance.
_________________________________________BACK
to Top of Page
How do I File a Complaint Against an Attorney?
If you are having problems working with an attorney you may contact
the Consumer Assistance
Program for help. They will require a written
complaint to begin working with you and your attorney to help resolve
problems.
_________________________________________BACK
to Top of Page
Will
a lawyer or judge speak to my group?
The Utah State Bar has formed a speakers bureau which arranges presentations
by lawyers or judges on topics of current interest. Presentation available
through the speakers bureau have been made to church and civic groups,
community organizations, business groups and many others.
_________________________________________BACK
to Top of Page
What
is lawyer discipline?
The Utah State Supreme Court has delegated much of the responsibility
of disciplining lawyers to the Utah State Bar. Lawyers who are found
to have breached basic rules of ethics or legal constraints are subject
to the Rules of Discipline. The lawyer discipline process begins by
the filing of an informal complaint by an aggrieved party and if merit
is found in the complaint, and resolution is not reached between the
aggrieved party and the attorney, the matter is eventually filed in
Utah District Court.
If a dispute with a lawyer revolves around fees, Fee Arbitration is
available to lawyers and clients. For clients who have brought a claim
against an attorney but have been unable to obtain satisfaction of the
claim because of debt, bankruptcy or insolvency, the Client Security
Fund may provide recovery in some instances.
_________________________________________BACK
to Top of Page
How
do I get answers to a simple legal question?
There are many resources available for answer of simple legal questions.
These include informational brochures available from the Bar, the opportunity
to ask questions at the Tuesday Night Bar, or other legal clinics.
_________________________________________BACK
to Top of Page
What
is the Utah Law and Justice Center?
The Utah Law and Justice Center is a building constructed through the
generous donations of the community and attorneys. It not only serves
as offices for the Utah State Bar, but serves as a location for several
alternative dispute resolution providers and services. It has several
meeting rooms which are used by organizations of all types. Services
relating to the meeting rooms are also provided.
_________________________________________BACK
to Top of Page
|
