Minutes for December 8, 2004

The Executive Committee of the Litigation Section met on Wednesday, December 8, 2004 at 8:00 a.m. at the Utah Law & Justice Center in Salt Lake City.

Executive Committee members present were:

• Sammi Anderson
• Elaina Maragakis
• Lee Curtis
• Michael Petrogeorge
• Ryan Harris
• Judge Randy Skanchy
• Wayne Klein
• Dan Steele

1. Financial Report There was a brief financial report outlining expenses for the October quarterly luncheon and advertising for the St. George golf and CLE event.

2. Reports on Recent CLE Events

a. Lee Curtis reported on the very successful Negotiations seminar. There were about 130 attendees. The Litigation Section, and particularly three members of the Executive Committee serving on a panel, were highlighted at the event.

b. The Executive Committee ratified a decision to use the e-mail mailing list to invite section members to a November UTLA seminar on damages.

c. Dan Steele reported on the golf and CLE event held in November in St. George. The attendance was a little less than expected, probably due to the short notice and a competing litigation CLE in Salt Lake the same day. He recommended making the seminar an annual event and beginning planning earlier for next year’s event in October. The Executive Committee agreed and charged Dan with planning the event for next fall. The Executive Committee discussed the disposition of five golf certificates from the CLE seminar. The group approved donating the certificates to “And Justice for All” for auction.

3. ABA Mid-Year Meeting in Salt Lake Lee Curtis led a discussion of the upcoming ABA meeting that will be held in Salt Lake in February. The Section discussed a request by the Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section to co-sponsor a CLE and a reception following the seminar, agreeing to contribute up to $1,500. There also was a discussion of other ways we might assist with the meeting. Mike Petrogeorge will inquire about other needs the section might help meet. (And, in the days following the meeting, other requests have been made.)

4. Section Logo, Web Site Lee Curtis reported that he had received an electronic copy of the new Section logo. He will also transmit a copy to the bar to use in notices, our web page, and advertisements. There was a discussion of the accuracy of the calendar on the Section web site and the need to have someone monitor and update the information. Sammi Anderson agreed to take responsibility to oversee information on the site.

5. Electronic Filing in State Court There was a brief report that this project will be much more significant and difficult than we had hoped. A meeting is being set up with the interested parties and progress reports will be made.

6. Trial Advocacy Awards Judge Skanchy related conversations he has had with the law schools and their plans for April ceremonies to award the grants to winning students.

7. Upcoming Section CLE Programs There was a discussion of the planning status for upcoming programs being sponsored by the section:

a. Evidence The December 17 seminar on evidence presented by Judge Benson and Creighton law professor Collin Mangrum is ready to go and has been advertised heavily. Jon Hafen will introduce the seminar.

b. Quarterly Luncheon: Trial Tips from Seasoned Litigators Elaina Maragakis has three panelists lined up for this January 11 luncheon event and took suggestions on a fourth. It will include a panel of seasoned litigators offering their trial suggestions.

c. Quarterly Luncheon Another quarterly luncheon will be in April 2005. There was a discussion of possible topics. Mike Petrogeorge will ask someone to organize the presentation.

d. NITA Trial Seminar There were no new developments to report on this planned seminar.

8. Spring and Annual Meetings Mike Petrogeorge reported on the panels being planned for the annual meeting. There will be presentations on structured settlements and brief-writing. The planners also are looking for a keynote speaker on tort reform.

9. Judges’ Benchbook Ryan Harris described new additions to the benchbook. There was a discussion of who might make approaches to judges not yet on the web site.

The meeting adjourned at 8:55 a.m.

DATED this 12th day of January, 2005.

For the Executive Committee

_________________________________________
Wayne Klein
Secretary