Minutes for March 10, 2004

The Executive Committee of the Litigation Section met on Wednesday, March 10, 2004 at 8:00 a.m., at the Utah Law & Justice Center in Salt Lake City.

Executive Committee members present were:

• Lee Curtis
• Ryan Harris
• Deno Himonas
• Bryan Pattison (via speakerphone)
• Mike Petrogeorge
• Judge Randy Skanchy

Jim Palmer of the Attorney General’s office attended and took notes for the secretary, Wayne Klein.

1. Minutes The draft minutes for the February meeting were reviewed and approved (and have been posted on the Section’s Web site).

2. Financial Matters Lee Curtis reported on the activities of the committee established to research ways of utilizing the Section’s funds. He had searched activities of litigation sections in other states. The committee is compiling a list of possible activities and will make recommendations to the Executive Committee.

3. Casemaker Deno Himonas reported on the results of his research into providing funding to use Casemaker as a tool on the bar’s web site. The expected price is about $60,000. Suggestions were made that it would be best to wait for other states to indicate similar interests, then to join forces and split the costs.

4. Legislation Lee Curtis led a discussion of actions taken by the legislature affecting litigators. It was noted that an overhaul of the Governmental Immunity Act passed.

5. Brown v. Board of Education The Executive Committee discussed and approved a request to provide funding of $15,000 for the planned events celebrating the anniversary of this decision. Mike Petrogeorge reported that the planning committee will meet in mid-March to revise the curriculum and recruit volunteers in Southern Utah. Volunteers still are needed.

6. Law & Economics Society The LES has requested a $1,500 donation. The Executive Committee discussed the request and decided to postpone any decision pending receipt of a request for funding of particular events. Deno Himonas will communicate this decision to Mark Glick.

7. Upcoming CLE Programs

a. The mid-year bar meeting programs are ready.
b. There is an appellate brief-writing CLE with the Appellate Section on April 23.
c. The Litigation Section’s sessions at the annual meeting are mostly set. Ryan Harris still is seeking a third judge to participate in the panel.
d. Deno Himonas reported that jury consultants expressed high interest in presenting a seminar on use of mock juries and focus groups. The Executive Committee agreed to pursue the idea.
e. The bar has asked the Section to sponsor a fall seminar. The Section would select the topic. Judge Skanchy will research possible speakers and topics.
f. There was additional discussion of the Trial Academy. The program has been excellent, but requires substantial effort by those in charge.

8. Judge’s Benchbook Judge Skanchy explained he sent materials via e-mail and regular mail to judges who had not yet submitted information. He hopes to get a good response.

9. Intern/Employee The Executive Committee discussed the possibility of hiring an employee or intern to perform some of the ministerial work of the section. This will be discussed again.

The meeting adjourned at 9:00 a.m. The next meeting is set for Wednesday, April 14, 2004, at 8:00 a.m. at the Law and Justice Center.

DATED this 14th day of April, 2004.

For the Executive Committee
________/s/________________________
Wayne Klein
Secretary