The Utah State Bar’s 95th Anniversary Summer Convention is off to an exceptional start in beautiful Sun Valley, Idaho, bringing together more than 250 attorneys. The convention officially began Wednesday evening with a vibrant opening reception of nearly 600 people on the Sun Valley Lodge Terrace, where colleagues and friends reunited over a catered dinner while families enjoyed ice skating beneath the mountain sky. The reception, sponsored by Ray Quinney & Nebeker, welcomed all convention attendees, faculty and guests, setting the tone for Thursday’s educational presentations, networking and camaraderie.
As the convention continues, the Bar extends sincere appreciation to Sun Valley Convention Co-Chairs Chief Magistrate Cecilia M. Romero and Christina M. Jeppson, whose leadership helped bring this milestone event together. Special thanks also go to the Bar’s generous sponsors, led by Presenting Sponsor Parsons Behle & Latimer, whose support makes the convention possible, and to the many exhibitors who provide valuable resources and services to Utah’s legal community.
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Justice Gregory Moeller Opens Convention with Powerful Lessons on Integrity
Thursday’s CLE program began with a compelling keynote from Justice Gregory Moeller of the Idaho Supreme Court, whose remarks blended personal reflection with hard-earned lessons from decades in the courtroom. Justice Moeller shared that his inspiration to pursue a legal career traces back to his high school years in South Fremont, Idaho, when he watched the film adaptation of To Kill a Mockingbird.
The story of Tom Robinson—a Black man falsely accused of raping a white woman—and, in particular, the unforgettable courtroom moment when Reverend Sykes quietly tells Scout, “Stand up. Your father’s passin’,” left a lasting impression on the future justice. For Moeller, Atticus Finch embodied the courage and moral integrity every lawyer should aspire to, even when facing overwhelming public opposition.
That theme carried into one of the defining cases of his career.
Just eight months after passing the bar exam, Moeller was appointed to represent Rauland Grube, who had been charged with murdering a woman nearly eight years earlier. Despite intense public scrutiny, Moeller remained convinced of his client’s innocence and described Grube as someone he believed was “incapable of violence.”
For 16 years, Moeller pursued justice on Grube’s behalf through relentless litigation. Throughout the case, media attention remained intense, community emotions ran high, and threats were directed not only at Grube but also at Moeller and his family.
Eventually, the charges were dismissed, and Grube’s constitutional rights were fully restored. Tragically, he died only a few years after regaining his freedom.
Looking back, Moeller reflected that the case “haunted me almost every day it lasted,” reminding attendees that practicing law often demands resilience, courage and an unwavering commitment to justice, even under extraordinary pressure.
Inside One of America’s Most Watched Criminal Cases
The morning continued with Lindsey Blake, lead prosecutor in the nationally known Lori Vallow Daybell murder case.
Blake walked attendees through the extraordinary investigation that captivated audiences across the country because of its so-called “doomsday” beliefs and complex web of crimes. Using a detailed timeline, she demonstrated how investigators gradually assembled the case through extensive cooperation among multiple Idaho counties and law enforcement agencies across several states.
Her presentation offered attendees a rare behind-the-scenes perspective on managing a large-scale prosecution involving thousands of investigative leads, interagency collaboration and intense national media attention.
AI’s Impact Compared to the Arrival of Electricity
Following an exhibitor showcase, Bennett Borden, the first Chief Data Scientist at an Am Law firm and founder of Clarion AI, challenged attorneys to think differently about artificial intelligence and the future of legal practice.
Borden traced the evolution of technology throughout his career before making a striking comparison: artificial intelligence, he said, is transforming society much like electricity once did.
Rather than viewing AI as simply another legal tool, Borden encouraged lawyers to recognize it as a foundational technology reshaping nearly every aspect of business and daily life. His presentation focused on how attorneys should advise clients about the responsible use of AI while also embracing its growing role within their own practices.
Afternoon Breakout Sessions Offer Specialized Learning
In the afternoon, attendees had the opportunity to tailor their continuing legal education experience through five concurrent breakout sessions covering some of today’s most relevant legal topics.
Participants may choose from:
- Immigration Law with Magistrate Judge Dustin Pead.
- AI: Practical & Interactive CLE, where Bennett Borden offers hands-on strategies for integrating artificial intelligence into legal practice.
- Recent Appellate and U.S. Supreme Court Decisions, presented by Michelle Quist.
- Bankruptcy Panel Discussion featuring Engels Tejeda and Ellen Ostrow.
- Becoming Better Negotiators, presented by the Litigation Section and Young Lawyers Division, focusing on practical negotiation skills for attorneys at every stage of practice.
Law School Reunions Celebrate Lifelong Connections
The day concludes with one of the convention’s most anticipated traditions—law school receptions and networking events. Alumni from the S.J. Quinney College of Law will gather on the Limelight Terrace, while graduates of the BYU J. Reuben Clark Law School will reunite on the Duck Pond Lawn. These receptions provide an opportunity for classmates, mentors and colleagues to reconnect while welcoming the next generation of Utah attorneys into the profession’s enduring community.
As the Utah State Bar celebrates its 95th anniversary, the first full day of programming has demonstrated the enduring strength of the profession—bringing together thoughtful discussions on justice, groundbreaking technology, professional development and the friendships that have long defined the Summer Convention.
RELATED: Day 2 Summary: Leadership, the Judiciary, and the Enduring Strength of the Rule of Law
With outstanding educational programming, generous sponsors and exhibitors, and the stunning backdrop of Sun Valley, the convention continues to honor the Bar’s rich history while preparing attorneys for the future of legal practice.
*AI was used to write this summary of events.