SALT LAKE CITY (May 22, 2026) – Few judges leave a mark on a state’s legal system the way Chief Justice Matthew B. Durrant has. Over the course of his tenure on the Utah Supreme Court, and particularly in his years as Chief Justice, he brought to the bench something that cannot be taught in law school: genuine wisdom, paired with the kind of quiet integrity that earns lasting respect.

Under his leadership, Utah’s courts pursued practical reforms that expanded access to justice without sacrificing rigor or public trust. He understood that the courthouse must be a place where ordinary people feel the law is working for them, not just a forum for those who can afford to navigate it. That conviction shaped his approach to administration, to technology, and to the culture of the court itself.

The Utah State Bar and the broader legal profession are better for his involvement. He mentored attorneys and judges with patience and seriousness of purpose, holding the profession to high standards not by lecture but by example. Practitioners who appeared before him, whether they prevailed or not, left with a sense that they had been heard fairly. That is no small feat, and it reflects a deep and abiding respect for what the law is supposed to do.

Those who worked alongside Chief Justice Durrant will tell you that his title never seemed to matter much to him; what mattered was the work. He carried himself with the same steadiness on his most visible days as on his most ordinary ones. There was no gap between the person and the position. That kind of consistency, over a career as long and demanding as his, is rarer than it ought to be.

As Chief Justice Durrant steps away from the Court, the legal community he served so faithfully wishes him and his family every comfort. What he built here, in the culture of the courts, in the careers he shaped, in the decisions that now anchor our jurisprudence, will not fade. Utah was fortunate to have him.

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As part of this year’s Well-Being Week in Law, legal professionals gathered for a thoughtful and timely conversation led by Manar Morales, a nationally recognized leader on workplace culture, flexibility, diversity, and well-being in the legal profession. Morales, who serves as President and CEO of the Diversity and Flexibility Alliance, has spent years helping organizations rethink how professionals can thrive both personally and professionally.

The webinar focused on one of the most pressing challenges facing today’s legal professionals: how to sustain personal well-being in a culture that often rewards constant motion, high performance, and self-sacrifice.

Throughout the webinar, Morales emphasized that many professionals are operating on “autopilot,” moving from task to task without taking the time to reflect on how they are truly feeling. She explored how the fast pace of modern life can create a disconnect between our external productivity and our internal well-being.

“When individuals stop examining their emotional responses, motivations, and needs, burnout can quietly take hold,” she said.

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A central theme of the virtual continuing legal education session was the importance of intentional pause.

Participants learned how stepping back from daily routines — even briefly — can create space for self-awareness and clarity. Rather than reacting automatically to stressors, legal professionals were encouraged to become more mindful of their habits, emotional triggers, and personal values. This practice of reflection is essential not only for mental health but also for making decisions that align with one’s authentic priorities and long-term goals, Morales said.

The CLE also acknowledged a difficult reality within the legal profession: many current workplace expectations and routines are simply not sustainable. Attorneys and professionals often feel pressure to excel in every direction at once—professionally, personally, and within their communities—without adequate space for rest and recovery. The webinar challenged attendees to rethink the assumption that constant productivity equals success.

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Burnout and recovery became another important focus of the session. Morales emphasized that healing from chronic stress is not immediate and that individuals should approach themselves with patience and compassion. Self-care was framed not as indulgence, but as a necessary and ongoing practice.

Practical reminders about tending to physical well-being during periods of stress, including staying hydrated, getting adequate rest, and paying attention to the body’s signals, were advised. While simple, these foundational practices were presented as meaningful steps toward recovery and resilience. The conversation reinforced that burnout cannot be solved overnight; it requires intentional care, support, and time.

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Equally important was the discussion around identity and alignment. Many professionals, particularly within the legal industry, juggle multiple roles simultaneously, such as attorney, parent, caregiver, partner, mentor, business leader, or community advocate. The webinar explored how difficult it can be to reconcile these identities when professional demands overshadow personal values or family life.

Rather than viewing well-being as separate from professional success, Morales advocated for a more holistic approach that recognizes people as whole individuals with interconnected personal and professional needs. Attendees were encouraged to create environments, both at work and at home, that support emotional health, meaningful relationships, and personal fulfillment alongside career achievement.

The conversation ultimately served as a reminder that well-being is not a luxury or secondary concern. It is foundational to sustainable leadership, effective advocacy, and healthy communities within the legal profession. Something that the Utah Supreme Court took seriously when it amended Utah Rule 1.01, which took effect nearly three years ago. Utah Courts specifically noted that the purpose of the amendment was educational and intended to reinforce the connection between lawyer well-being and professional competence. The amendment language reads:

As Well-Being Week in Law continues to grow as a national initiative, conversations like the CLE help shift the profession toward a healthier and more human-centered future. Morales’ leadership and the candid reflections shared during the webinar underscored a powerful message: success should not come at the expense of personal well-being.

For legal professionals navigating demanding careers and increasingly complex lives, the takeaway was clear—pause, reflect, reconnect, and permit yourself to prioritize your well-being with the same commitment you bring to serving others.

*AI was used to summarize the CLE transcript, but the entire blog was written by the Utah State Bar Communications Director, Jennifer Weaver.