Minutes of June 13, 2001 Meeting

The Executive Committee of the Litigation Section met on Wednesday, June 13, 2001, at 8:00 a.m., at the Law and Justice Center in Salt Lake City.

Attendance. Present were Tracy Fowler (Chair), Willis Orton, Dan Hindert, Brent Manning, Frank Carney, Scott Reed, Justin Toth, and Shawn McGarry.

Approval of minutes. The minutes from the last meeting were reviewed and approved with minor changes.

Co-sponsorship of ABOTA Trial Practice Seminar. The costs on the last ABOTA seminar were nearly $18,000. We decided that the cost of this seminar is too much for us and that the Litigation Section will not contribute to funding it.

Interest on Section Account. Frank Carney will revisit this topic with John Baldwin and Scott Daniels at the Sun Valley Annual Meeting.

David Ball for Annual Meeting. Frank Carney reported that he has lined up a teacher of trial techniques and drama named David Ball. Mr. Ball is the author of several NITA-published books including “Trial Techniques for Jury Trials” and “David Ball on Damages.” Mr. Carney has done some research and learned that David Ball is an entertaining and useful speaker. He is willing to come to Sun Valley for the Annual Meeting in 2002 for $5,000, plus expenses, and will put on four litigation-related sessions over two days. The Executive Committee approved retaining Mr. Ball for the next Annual Meeting.

Donation for “Lawyers Helping Lawyers.” This was tabled until Frank Carney can speak with John Baldwin about the Section gaining control over the interest earned in its account.

Survey Letter to Members. We reviewed and approved Brent Manning’s proposed survey to the membership of the Litigation Section.

Quarterly Section Meetings.

Mentoring Page. Frank Carney discussed the lack of response to our new “Mentoring Page.” The Committee suggested advertising at the New Lawyers’ Mandatory CLE, on the New Lawyers’ listserve, and on the Small Firm/Solo Practitioners’ listserve.

Annual Meeting. The preparations for the Annual Meeting presentations on professionalism and civility are complete. We were advised that not all materials will be included in the looseleaf folders and will advise the Bar that we oppose this.

HB 305 on Judgment Liens. Scott Sabey is apparently soliciting comment on this in behalf of the real estate section. We have no position on it at the present time.

New Officers. Willis Orton has been elected as Chair for 2001-2002 and Scott Reed as Chair-Elect. Bruce Badger will remain as Treasurer and Frank Carney as Secretary.

Inactive Members. We discussed the inactive members of the Executive Committee. Frank Carney will contact them and see if they still wish to participate.

New Members. We discussed adding new members and the names of Christy Campbell and Mike Petrogeorge were suggested. They will be contacted.

Evening with Third District Court (October 24th) Justin Toth has devised a plan to have four judges on our panel and various potential topics were discussed, including the new rules of evidence on experts (if they are approved by the Supreme Court.) Frank Carney will assist Justin in getting judges signed up.

Replacement of FJC for Trial Academy. Frank Carney has stated that he will no longer be able to conduct the Litigation Section’s “Trial Academy” because of the time commitment involved. Discussion on a replacement was tabled until the next meeting.

Next Meeting. Our next meeting was set for Wednesday, July 11, at 8:00 a.m. at the Law & Justice Center.

There being no other business to discuss, the meeting adjourned at 9:00 a.m.

DATED this _____ day of July, 2001.
FOR THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

_________________________
Francis J. Carney
Secretary

LITIGATION SECTION EVENTS
July 10, 2001

• July 11 Executive Committee meeting
• August 8 Executive Committee meeting
• October 24 “Evening With Third District Court”
• Dec 7 UTLA/Lit Sec/OPC Ethics Seminar