Family Law Section

Minutes - August 11, 2010

Present: Lauren Barros, Patti Abbott, Jim Hanks, Judge Douglas B. Thomas, Commissioner
Josh Faulkner, Dixie Jackson, John Sheaffer, Kellie Williams, Louise Knauer, Marcie Keck, Al
Pranno, Judge Denise Lindberg, Lisa Lokken, Judge Larry Jones, Paul Morken, Dena Sarandos,
Sally McMinimee and Commissioner Cathy Conklin.

Financials: There is no report.

Sub-Committee Reports:

A.   Annual Bar Convention in Sun Valley: Jim Hanks attended the convention. No one on the committee saw the family law breakout. Jim did not see many family law attorneys.

B.   Socials: There is no update.

C.   Legislation and Rules:

            Proposed Rule 26 changes

a.         Angela and Stewart's concerns:
               1) Do these resolve problems for pro se litigants? Rule 26 is required for pro se litigants, except for the attorney meeting. Some feel the changes are more helpful to litigation than hurtful to pro se litigants. The difficult cases are where there is one attorney and one pro se litigant.
               2)  How does the concept of proportionality affect family law cases where the issues do not concern money?

b.         Dena wants to know whether we want someone from the Rules Committee to address our committee, in addition to coming to our next September luncheon. The Judicial Council will listen to concerns and will not pass it if there are substantial concerns.

c.         The Juvenile Section is also doing a CLE on this new proposed rule change. Dena will ask if the Juvenile Law Section can be added to all our email notices and invites.

D.  Scholarships/Grants: Judge Lindberg will follow up with BYU and Al Pranno will follow
up with the University of Utah to get the process going. The committee made a three year commitment. This is the third year. The committee should re-address the scholarship at the end of the year.