Friday marked a red-letter day for the Utah State Bar as it honored 32 distinguished attorneys for achieving the remarkable milestone of 50 years of active licensure. This momentous occasion was celebrated with a luncheon and formal presentation at the Utah Law & Justice Center in Salt Lake City. The event brought together the legal community to recognize and celebrate the half-century of dedication, service, and significant contributions these esteemed attorneys have made to the profession and society.

A Ceremony of Honor and Recognition

The luncheon, a hallmark of the celebration, provided a fitting backdrop for the presentation ceremony. Bar Executive Director Elizabeth Wright and Bar Commission President Erik Christiansen led the proceedings, presenting each honoree with a commemorative plaque. The plaques were a symbol of recognition for their unwavering commitment to the practice of law and their pivotal role in shaping the legal landscape of Utah.

The Contributions of the Honorees

These 32 attorneys have not only dedicated five decades to the legal profession but have also significantly impacted the legal community and society at large. Their contributions span across various facets of the legal field:

Advocacy and Justice

Many of the honorees have been instrumental in landmark cases, ensuring justice and fairness within the legal system. Their advocacy has helped set precedents and foster a more equitable legal environment.

Mentorship

A cornerstone of their legacy is mentorship. These attorneys have nurtured the next generation of lawyers, imparting wisdom, guidance, and support to young professionals. Their mentorship has helped shape the careers of many and strengthened the future of the legal profession.

Community Service

The honorees’ commitment to community service is commendable. Through pro bono work and community engagement, they have made significant positive impacts on society. Their efforts have provided access to legal services for underserved communities and have highlighted the importance of giving back.

Leadership

Leadership within the legal community is another area where these attorneys have excelled. Many have held significant positions within the Utah State Bar, judiciary, and various legal associations. Their leadership has driven progress and innovation within the legal field, fostering an environment of excellence and integrity.

Honorees Present at the Ceremony

• James A. Arrowsmith
• Christine M. Durham
• John C. Green
• W. Andrew McCullough
• Anthony L. Rampton
• James R. Black
• Roger S. Blaylock
• Robert R. Malinckrodt
• Robert K. Mouritsen

Those not in attendance include:

Richard G. Allen

David E. Gee

Robert D. Atwood Jr

Paul J. Barton

Willard R. Bishop

Richard D. Burbidge

Scott H. Clark

Jonathan A. Dibble

Stephen F. Hutchinson

Ralph B. Johnson

Michael R. Loveridge

Raymond N. Malouf Jr

Stephen R. McCaughey

James W. McConkie

Craig F. McCullough

James R. Morgan

Stephen I. Oda

John A. Snow

Marcus Taylor

Ronald W. Thompson

Gregory B. Wall

Whitney B. Warnick

Each of these individuals has left an indelible mark on the legal profession through their exceptional service and dedication.

The Utah State Bar offers licensees a free legal research tool because we understand the critical importance of having a fast and reliable legal research tool at your fingertips. Available now for your use, we are moving away from Fastcase to Decisis, a new service now available to all licensees that is worth $1,740 per year.

Thanks to the Innovation & Law Committee, Decisis was tested and determined to be a research tool with comprehensive search capabilities that lawyers need. The intuitive platform provides information across all courts and jurisdictions. Whether you need a case from Utah or beyond, Decisis ensures you never hit a roadblock in your research.

“I’m looking forward to using Decisis. Compared to Fastcase, Decisis has a very clean interface that avoids distraction and lets me focus on the search and results,” said Attorney Dave Duncan, owner of QuiickLaw PLLC. “Searching a topic in Fastcase would give recent results but bury the seminal cases. Decisis puts the seminal case right up front. And knowing that negative case treatment in Decisis is handled by LexisNexis’s Shepard’s Citation Service gives me confidence in the cases Decisis finds.”

When you use Decisis, you will find that it is designed with efficiency in mind. The Google-like search bar allows you to seamlessly scan results, making your research process swift and straightforward. It also offers split-screen functionality, which lets you view search results and navigate between tabs without losing sight of your main search screen. This feature alone can significantly enhance your workflow, saving you precious time and reducing the frustration of constantly switching back and forth between screens.

When it comes to search versatility, Decisis offers three robust methods. You can type in key terms, use advanced search operators, or search directly by citation. This flexibility ensures that regardless of your research style or the specificity of your query, Decisis can handle it with ease.

Customer support is another area where Decisis shines. Available seven days a week, its enhanced support service offers both research and technical assistance. This level of support is unparalleled, ensuring that any issues or questions you have are addressed promptly and efficiently.

Moreover, Decisis boasts a world-class citator with high-level reliability. You can trust that your case law references are accurate and up to date, which is essential for maintaining the integrity of your legal work.

Lastly, Decisis provides tailored search filters that pull highly relevant results. This feature helps you narrow down your search to the most pertinent cases, statutes, and legal resources, ensuring that your research is both thorough and efficient. With its comprehensive jurisdictional coverage, user-friendly interface, innovative split-screen functionality, versatile search options, enhanced customer support, reliable citator, and tailored search filters, Decisis stands out as the premier legal research tool for Utah State Bar lawyers. Take advantage of this free resource and elevate your legal research.

Decisis is available to all active licensees through the Practice Portal. Log on and try it out!
Fastcase will not be available after August 30, 2024.
If you have questions or need assistance using Decisis, please contact support at 833-332-4747.

WATCH VIDEO TO LEARN HOW TO NAVIGATE DECISIS

On Friday, July 12th, the Utah State Bar is hosting its annual meeting at the Utah Law and Justice Center, located at 645 South 200 East, Salt Lake City. Scheduled to begin at 3:00 p.m., this celebratory gathering will feature the swearing-in of new Bar commission officers, alongside the presentation of several prestigious awards recognizing outstanding contributions to the legal profession. The meeting will also include reports that offer insights and updates on activities and achievements from key legal bodies over the past year, such as:

• MCLE,
• Federal court,
• State court,
• Utah Bar Foundation,
• Utah State Bar.

Legal professionals from across the state are encouraged to attend this meeting to connect with colleagues, share experiences, and honor the accomplishments within the legal community. The meeting not only serves as a platform for professional development but also as an opportunity to celebrate the dedication and hard work of those committed to advancing justice and law in Utah.

Following the formal proceedings, a fun-filled summer social will take place, themed around the lively 80s era, will feature music, delicious food, face painting, and karaoke, making it enjoyable for the whole family. Participants are reminded to RSVP for the social by July 9th to ensure their spot at this exciting event. This annual meeting and subsequent party promise to be a memorable occasion for all members of the Utah State Bar.