Minutes June 8, 2005

The Executive Committee of the Litigation Section met on Wednesday, June 8, 2005 at 8:00 a.m. at the Utah Law & Justice Center in Salt Lake City.

Executive Committee members present were:

• Sammi Anderson
• Willis Orton
• Lee Curtis
• Bryan Pattison (by speakerphone)
• Jon Hafen
• Mike Petrogeorge
• Ryan Harris
• Chris Rogers
• Judge Deno Himonas
• Rocky Rognlie
• Wayne Klein
• Judge Randy Skanchy
• Sean Monson
• Dan Steele
• Connie Howard, bar staff

1. Minutes/Financial Report Minutes of the May meeting were approved. Wayne Klein outlined recent financial matters. In April, the Section received income from two new members, $65 from the quarterly luncheon, and $922.70 in MUJI royalties. Expenses for the month were $1,000 for a University of Utah scholarship, $183 for BYU trial advocacy trophies, $1,929.07 for the quarterly luncheon, $64.44 for the Executive Committee meeting, and $633.31 for the remaining expenses of the judge attending the Jury Summit. The current fund balance is $83,304.75.

2. NITA Training Judge Himonas and Connie Howard reported on the tremendous success of the NITA training held last month in Salt Lake. There were several registrants that dropped out due to the intensity of the participation required. The participant evaluations were all positive, with high praise for both the national and local faculty. Several members of the Executive Committee who attended the training commented on the superlative quality of the training. Judge Himonas recommended making this training an annual event. The Executive Committee approved paying the expenses of a dinner for the faculty hosted by Judge Himonas. There was a discussion of preliminary expense figures showing an estimated loss of $16,000, very close to initial projections of the net cost of the program.

3. Executive Committee Members Richard Gray has asked to be excused from the Executive Committee. Wayne Klein will ask the bar to correct the list of members on the web site. The new officers will take over at the next meeting. The Executive Committee expressed appreciation to Lee Curtis and Wayne Klein for their service as officers.

4. Electronic Filing Because interest in electronic filing for the state courts seems to have evaporated for the immediate future, this matter will be removed from the agenda for further consideration until there are new developments.

5. Judges’ Benchbook Ryan Harris reported there are only fourteen state judges not yet with postings on the Benchbook. It was noted that profiles of the federal judges also are posted on the Benchbook. Frank Carney made a pitch for the Benchbook at the NITA training, displaying a banner showing the contents of the Benchbook.

6. Upcoming Training Upcoming events include the following:

a. Quarterly Luncheon Sammi Anderson reported that the July 6 event is ready to go. Frank Carney and four other panelists will discuss the new Utah rules on expert witnesses. Advertising will be sent out soon via e-mail and postcards.

b. Annual Meeting Mike Petrogeorge described the three sessions being sponsored by the Section at the Annual Meeting in July.

c. Appellate Practice A seminar on appellate practice will be held on September 16, in conjunction with the bar’s appellate section.

d. First District Golf Event Dan Steele still plans to contact the First District bar to see if there is interest in a joint activity with the Litigation Section.

e. St. George Golf Dan Steele and Connie Howard discussed tentative plans for this event, tentatively planned for October. Connie Howard will contact possible locations.

f. Evening with Third District Judges Willis Orton will take charge of this event, with help from Dan Steele. It is planned for November.

g. Fall Forum Sean Monson reported that this event will be on November 11. It will be a truncated Trial Academy. There will be five one-hour sessions, each addressing a stage of litigation. A keynote speaker and luncheon speaker are set. Several judges will assist with the training.

h. Evidence Jon Hafen and Connie Howard said this repeat performance with Judge Benson will be held December 16.

Due to a conflict with the Annual Meeting, the July meeting of the Executive Committee will be cancelled. The next meeting will be August 10, 2005. The meeting adjourned at 8:40 a.m.

DATED this 10th day of August, 2005.

For the Executive Committee

__________________________________________
Wayne Klein
Secretary