Minutes of June 14, 2006

The Executive Committee of the Litigation Section of the Utah State Bar met on Wednesday, June 14, 2006 at 8:00 a.m. at the Utah Law & Justice Center in Salt Lake City.

Executive Committee members present were:

• Sammi Anderson
• George Burbidge
• Jared Casper (via speakerphone)
• Lee Curtis
• Ryan Frazier
• John Hafen
• Ryan Harris
• Wayne Klein
• Elaina Maragakis
• Willis Orton
• Bryan Pattison (via speakerphone)
• Mike Petrogeorge
• Scott Reed
• Jackie Rogers
• Dan Steele

Bruce Badger was excused.

1. Minutes The minutes were reviewed and approved.

2. Financial Report Dan Steele provided a financial report.

3. Utah County Golf CLE Event Jared Casper reported that this event is largely ready to go. It is scheduled for September 8, 2006 at Hobble Creek Golf Course. It is co-sponsored with CUBA. The cost will be $45.00 for Section members and CUBA members, and $85.00 for non-members.

4. Election of New Officers The Committee nominated and elected new officers. Mike Petrogeorge was elected as Chair Elect. Dan Steele will remain the Treasurer. Sammi Anderson continues to serve as the Secretary. Ryan Harris is now the Chair. Warm thanks is extended to our outgoing officers. The time and effort expended for this year’s activities were considerable, and they led to consistent and outstanding results throughout the course of the year. Special thanks to outgoing Chair, Elaina Maragakis.

5. Update on Proposed Revisions to Bylaws Elaina Maragakis indicated she would circulate the changes and we would discuss these at our next meeting.

6. Update on Annual Convention Mike Petrogeorge reported that the Section’s break-outs are prepared and ready to go.

7. NITA Seminar Trial Seminar Cancellation Ryan Harris reported that the NITA Trial Seminar has been cancelled for this year due to insufficient enrollment. The seminar has been rescheduled for May 16-19, 2007 at the Salt Palace. With the exception that the Section may have to reimburse some non-refundable airfares for certain NITA instructors, the Section did not incur any cancellation fees or penalties in this process.

8. Update on Fall Forum Ryan Frazier reported that the first break-out session would be a panel discussion on how to organize a case. The panel is currently composed of Rich Humphries, Dan McConkie and Jeff Eisenberg. Ryan reported that the second break-out session will focus on persuasive writing at the summary judgment stage. Discussion was had as to the selection of a presenter for this break-out.

9. Co-sponsorship of CLE with the Utah Supreme Court’s Utah Professionalism Liaison Committee Lee Curtis reported that there has been no date set for the CLE that the Committee has agreed to co-sponsor with the Utah Supreme Court’s Utah Professionalism Liaison Committee.

10. Allocation of Costs for Roger Dodd Seminar A discussion was had regarding the terms of the Section’s agreement to co-sponsor the Roger Dodd seminar, as well as the circumstances surrounding that agreement. Mike Petrogeorge, Elaina Maragakis and Dan Steele will coordinate to prepare an appropriate response to the Bar’s request for additional funds. The Committee has authorized the expenditure of up to $1,800.00 to address the Bar’s request.

11. St. George Golf CLE Event Dan Steele reported that the annual St. George Golf CLE will take place on October 20, 2006 at The Ledges in St. George, Utah. This event will also serve as the fall quarterly luncheon. It is co-sponsored with SUBA and Dan will work in concert with Bryan Pattison to determine a topic and cost.

12. Bench Books Ryan Harris reported there have been no changes with respect to Bench Books.

13. Quarterly E-Mail Elaina Maragakis reported that the quarterly e-mail was sent in mid-May. The next quarterly e-mail will be sent in mid-August.

14. Quarterly Luncheons In light of Mike Petrogeorge’s election to the Chair Elect position, John Hafen has graciously agreed to assume the responsibilities associated with the quarterly luncheons. Many thanks to Mike Petrogeorge for his hard work in developing these presentations. Under Mike’s stewardship, the quarterly luncheons have become an important benefit for the Section membership.

15. Upcoming CLE Seminars

a. Annual Convention. July 12-15, 2006. Newport Beach, California.

b. Quarterly Luncheon. August 2, 2006.

c. Utah County Golf CLE Event. September 8, 2006. Hobble Creek Golf Course. Co-sponsored with CUBA.

d. St. George Golf CLE Event. October 20, 2006. The Ledges in St. George, Utah. Co-sponsored with SUBA.

e. Fall Forum. November 3, 2006. Little America Hotel, Salt Lake City, Utah.

16. Due to the Annual Convention, the July meeting is cancelled and the Executive Committee will reconvene on August 9, 2006 at 8:00 a.m.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:56 a.m.

Dated this 9th day of August, 2006.

For the Executive Committee

Sammi V. Anderson
Secretary