Family Law Section

Minutes - October 14, 2009

PRESENT: Angela Fonnesbeck, Russ Minas, John Sheaffer, Stephanie Saperstein, Doug, Adair Judge Lindberg, Lauren Barros, Stacy Schmidt. Present by phone: Judge Thomas, Charlotte Meacham and Adam Caldwell.
Excused: Stewart Ralphs, Commissioner Faulkner, Dena Sarandos, Kellie Williams, Christina Miller, and Commissioner Blomquist

Approval of Minutes: The minutes from the previous Executive Committee meeting were approved. Doug moved to approve and John seconded. There being no further discussion, the minutes were approved.

Sub-Committee Reports:

Assignments: Angela has made an updated list. Once we have our new members, we can add them to the subcommittees.

            A.  Annual Bar Convention: We can fill one or two slots. We will need to provide the information for Connie Howard. Last year we had two slots. We decide to take two slots, if available. Stephanie will follow up with Connie.

            B. Socials: Christina will send out a save the date card before the Winter Holiday social.

            C. Scholarships and Grants: Judge Lindberg reports we received three applicants from the University of Utah. At BYU, Professor Wardle received 9 applicants. Commissioner Blomquist, though absent, requests to leave this Sub-Committee after other members feel that they no longer need her. We need a better contact at the University of Utah to get more applicants, someone who will really promote it. We will try to publicize this with the students.

            Judge Lindberg wonders how we tell our section what we are doing. John reminds us this is our annual Bar reporting year and it would be an ideal time to give the annual report to the members.

            D. Legislation & Rules: Stewart and Angela went to the Rules of Civil Procedure meeting to discuss our proposed addition regarding initial disclosures. The legislative committee wants to add the rule to Rule 26. The committee was supportive. The committee wants to use our same content but completely redraft the language. The committee thought we were overbroad in requesting everyone to provide tax returns for any entity of which you are a member. Angela will forward their re-draft. We will need to decide whether we are ok with their version before their November meeting so they can publish it for comment. There would be a 45 day comment period. Their November meeting is 2 days before the fall forum.  They want different discovery rules for different areas of practice anyway.

            Russ: Representatives Hillyard and Fowlke are behind adopting the recently passed Uniform Collaborative Family Law Act.

            E.  Annual Family Law Seminar: we have blocked out the entire Law and Justice Center for May 14.

                        F.  Website: Russ is making sure minutes will get posted.

                        G.  Spring Convention: Nothing to report.

            AAML meeting: Louise asked Sandy Dolowitz. They will list us as co-sponsor and hold us harmless from any risk.

            Membership: We have 5 at-large spots to fill. Stacy says Commissioner Blomquist asked her to tell us she would like to resign. She is in the Commissioner’s slot. We have an extra slot. Al will ask Commissioner Conklin if she will take the spot.

            Nominees: Sally McMinimee, Jim Hanks, Patricia Abbott, Jared Hales, and Paul Morken are all approved. Angela will contact all who expressed interest and let them know. The Board will try to expand the broadness of the Board and spread the representation among firms and regions.

            Next meeting: November 4, 2009, because of Veteran’s Day, if the room is available. Otherwise Angela will make arrangements for another date. Meeting adjourned.