The 6th Annual Access to Justice Summit, hosted on October 4, 2024, at the Utah Law & Justice Center, brought together 115 participants from various sectors of the legal community and beyond. This year’s summit aimed to explore innovative solutions for ensuring access to justice, particularly for underserved communities. It also offered a platform for meaningful discussions on fairness, accountability, and the evolving role of technology in the legal landscape.

Keynote Address by Sarai Cook: Collective Values and Systemic Reform

One of many highlights of the summit was the keynote speech delivered by Sarai Cook, a nationally recognized advocate and presenter for the National Trauma Awareness Initiative. Cook’s powerful presentation, titled “Using Collective Values to Drive Change in the Legal System to Ensure Access to Justice,” focused on how fundamental values like fairness, equity, and accountability can be used as guiding principles to create a legal system that works for everyone, especially vulnerable and marginalized communities.

Drawing on real-world examples from her life and work in areas like guardianship battles and debt relief, Cook emphasized the importance of shaping legal frameworks that are transparent, responsive, and grounded in human-centered narratives. Her address underscored the urgent need for legal reforms that prioritize community well-being and justice for all, sparking a rich conversation among attendees about how to implement these values in their own work​.

Plenary: Innovations and Solutions in Access to Justice

Following Cook’s keynote, the summit transitioned into a plenary session, “Innovations in Service Delivery: Meeting People Where They Are.” The panel meeting featured insightful contributions from Hon. Clemens Landau, Hon. Jeanne Robison, and Utah Self-Help Center Director Nathanael Player. Moderated by Emogene Hennick-Dunn, the session focused on how the legal system can adapt to meet the needs of individuals where they live and work, addressing barriers such as geography, technological access, and financial constraints.

Engaging the Community: One-Minute Blitz and Interactive Discussions

In a particularly engaging portion of the summit, David McNeill led a One-Minute Blitz, where more than a dozen participants had the chance to quickly pitch innovative ideas or highlight pressing issues they face in their day-to-day work. Attendees were encouraged to vote and provide feedback through a digital platform, making the session highly interactive and energetic.

The Wasatch Immigration Project won the People’s Choice vote and was given $1,000. A random drawing winner of a $1,000 grant was NAACP Ogden.

Breakout Sessions: Solutions for Legal Professionals and Community Advocates

The afternoon was devoted to a choice of breakout sessions that catered to both legal professionals and community advocates. Topics ranged from Avoiding Burnout: Emotional Intelligence and the Thriving Practitioner to Technology and Accountability in Access to Justice Work. Participants were able to choose sessions that aligned with their interests, ensuring they left the summit with actionable insights.

One standout session, Fairness and Accountability in Access to Justice Work, featured speakers such as Appellate Courts Administrator Nicholas Stiles and former Utah Supreme Court Chief Justice Christine Durham. The discussion emphasized how systemic inequalities can be addressed through intentional and focused efforts in the legal sector​.

Looking Forward: A Commitment to Access to Justice

As the summit concluded, there was a clear sense of shared purpose among participants to continue driving change in Utah’s legal system. The closing remarks highlighted the importance of collaboration and community engagement in ensuring that everyone has access to legal services, no matter what their background or circumstances.

With 115 attendees, numerous thought-provoking sessions, and invaluable insights from speakers like Sarai Cook, the 6th Annual Access to Justice Summit was a significant step forward in the ongoing effort to make Utah’s legal system more inclusive and just for all. The conversations started at the summit are sure to inspire continued action and reform in the months to come.

Thank You to Our Sponsors

A special thanks goes to the sponsors who made this impactful day possible. Their support ensures that conversations about access to justice continue to be at the forefront of Utah’s legal community.