Family Law Section

Minutes - August 12, 2009

PRESENT: Doug Adair, Lauren Barros, Michelle Blomquist, Dena Sarandos, Angela Fonnesbeck, Kellie Williams, Russ Minas, Marcie Keck, Stacey Schmidt, John Sheaffer, Judge Douglas B. Thomas, Lisa Lokken, Stephanie Saperstein, Judge Denise Lindberg, Dixie Jackson, Christina Miller, Adam Caldwell, Stewart Ralphs.  Excused: Louise Knauer, Judge Larry Jones,  Stewart Ralphs, Charlotte Meacham

            1. Minutes of June 10, 2009. The Minutes ofthe Family Law Executive Committee
meeting of June 10,2009, were distributed for review. Marcie moved to approve; there being no
further discussion, the motion passed unanimously.

            2. Removed - Harry Caston, Daniel Cragun and Rick Hummel. Steve Gunn asked to
resign, as did Rick and Harry. Daniel never came.

            3. Nominees - Amy Kennedy, Jennifer Falk, Jarrod Jennings, Sara Giacovelli, Brent
Hall, Steve Sullivan, and Laura Rasmussen were discussed as potential nominees. Discussed
whether at large spots or 2nd district spots were available. Angela will determine what types of
spots we have, and at the next meeting we will vote.

            4. Member Roster Corrections.

            5. Subcommittee Reports.

            a. Annual Bar Convention - John attended Judge Thomas' session and Brian Florence's on Alimony Roulette. Judge Thomas' session was filled to capacity.

            b. Socials - Summer Social- Kellie invites all to wear shorts and RSVP.

            c. Scholarships and Grants - Soliciting Scholarship

            d. Legislation - Proposed RI08 - teleconference scheduled with Tim Shea regarding amendments on 9/23Angela and Stewart speaking to Utah Rules of Civil Procedure Advisory  Committee. Tim Shea said, regarding Rule 108 - Time frames to provide financial declaration confusing - suggested one deadline for all. Angela asks for any comments before 9/23.

            Other Legislation: Conversations regarding alimony and definition of cohabitation by Senator Hillyard. No one is aware of other legislation. Stewart will attend Judiciary Committee Meeting.

            e. Monthly Luncheon Seminars - 9/18- Commissioner Arnett - The Hidden and Unwritten Rules of Divorce Practice. 10/30, 11/29, 2/26 and 4/16are future dates. Skip March for midyear and May for Annual Family Law Seminar. Other ideas - Neil Crist re: Military and QDRO, Hague Convention, redacting private info from public records. Send other ideas to Doug.

            f. Annual Family Law Seminar - John's Stats : 169 attendees; 180 registered; 157 attendees in 2008; 155 attendees in 2007. We may need an alternate location but would lose bar support. Would broadcasting prohibit interaction? It might limit credit for CLE. Parking gets difficult at law and justice center. Discussed whether we could use parking garage across the street and roll it into the price. The Subcommittee will decide where, how, and when. The bar has the entire building set aside for 5/14.

g. Website - Russ says it's updated. It has good links to the state court website forms. The Bar provides the template. The blog is different, a law student could update it. Make it a scholarship requirement? Others asked to use the website to advertise. Russ says the website primarily keeps people informed of pending legislation.

            h.  Fall Forum -Assigned 1breakout - Hot Topics - R.108 - November 13th. Connie Howard said Judge Toomey wants fresh faces to speak at the event. Russ will meet with subcommittee.

            i. Spring Convention - Needs a new chair - Adam Caldwell agrees to do it.

            6.  Other requests

            a. Connie Howard: Every year we cosponsor a Family Law Nuts & Bolts on 9/24 for three hours in the evening. Last year was an evening with a Family Law Commissioner. Judge Thomas did this for the summer convention and had good handouts, including substantive law and procedural steps. He agrees to do this same seminar for the Nuts & Bolts.

            b.  BYU Presentation - 9/17 - Commissioner Arnett will speak. Angela will get more info and email it to us.

            c. ABA Representative Announcement - Angela asks whether we should post on the list serve. Kellie moves that the chair determines whether to post and may ask the Board for help.  Lauren second that and it is unanimously approved.

            d. Lynn Wardle 5 hour CLE - BYU - Divorce. Friday 12/4, Saturday 12/12 and Friday 12/18. Email Angela if interested. AAML will be 12/4. Angela will get more information from Lynn Wardle.

            e. Stacey asks whether privatization of divorce files could be made easier and less costly. It is unclear whether all documents will have to be redacted under new rules. Court forms - some ask for account numbers, financial numbers and social security numbers. Russ suggests using the Adobe Acrobat redacting tool. Will continue to discuss.

            f. Commissioner Josh Falkner announces a brown bag on 8/28 in Commissioner Patton's courtroom (303), a brown bag lunch. Commissioner Falkner says they could possibly tape it.

            7.  There being no other business the meeting was adjourned.