PRESS RELEASE

SUN VALLEY, Idaho (August 5, 2026) — The Utah State Bar will conclude its year-long 95th Anniversary celebration during its Summer Convention, Aug. 6-7, in Sun Valley, Idaho, marking both nearly a century of service to Utah’s legal profession and the final time the Bar will host its signature summer gathering in the iconic mountain resort community. The anniversary campaign centered on the theme, “Honoring Our Legacy, Building Our Future,” and celebrated the Bar’s history while reaffirming its commitment to the future of the legal profession.

For more than four decades, beginning in the 1980s, generations of Utah attorneys, judges, legal professionals and their families have gathered in Sun Valley for continuing legal education, professional networking and lifelong friendships. The 2026 convention serves as both a celebration of that enduring tradition and a meaningful transition as the Bar looks ahead to its next chapter.

“This convention is much more than the conclusion of a 95th anniversary celebration,” said Utah State Bar President Kim Cordova. “It is an opportunity to reflect on nearly a century of service to Utah, honor the people and milestones that brought us here, and reaffirm our responsibility to protect the rule of law and ensure a judicial system that remains fair, independent and accessible for generations to come.”

Throughout the past year, the Bar commemorated its milestone anniversary through educational programming, historical storytelling and public engagement that highlighted the evolution of Utah’s legal profession and the enduring principles that guide it.

Highlights of the anniversary celebration included:

• A dedicated 95th Anniversary webpage chronicling the Bar’s history, oral histories and significant milestones.
• Weekly social media features highlighting pivotal moments in Utah legal history and the evolution of the legal profession.
• A professionally produced video honoring the Attorney’s Oath and its enduring importance to the practice of law.
• A successful anniversary continuing legal education (CLE) series examining historic legal developments and contemporary issues facing the profession.
• The Let’s Talk, Let’s Listen civic dialogue series, which brought together Utah’s legislative and judicial leaders for respectful conversations about the constitutional roles of government and the importance of public understanding of the judiciary. The series included conversations featuring Senate President J. Stuart Adams, Speaker of the House Mike Schultz, members of Utah’s appellate courts and judicial leadership.
• The landmark America250: Sharing Stories About America constitutional symposium, featuring nationally recognized constitutional scholars Jeffrey Rosen and Professor Jonathan Turley alongside distinguished members of Utah’s judiciary and civic leadership. The symposium connected the Bar’s 95-year legacy with the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary, emphasizing the enduring importance of constitutional governance and the rule of law.
• A rare and candid “Conversation with Our Courts” discussion, providing attendees with unique insights from members of Utah’s state and federal judiciary about the administration of justice, judicial independence and recent developments affecting Utah’s courts.

The anniversary also recognized excellence within the Bar’s own staff.

During the commemorative year, Michelle Oldroyd, the Bar’s CLE Officer, received the Spirit of Quinney Award from the S.J. Quinney College of Law in recognition of her longstanding contributions to legal education and the legal profession. Executive Director Elizabeth Wright was honored by Women Lawyers of Utah as Mentor of the Year, recognizing her decades of leadership, mentorship and dedication to advancing the legal community.

The Summer Convention itself reflects the anniversary’s focus on honoring the past while preparing for the future. Nationally recognized speakers include former U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson, Idaho Supreme Court Justice Gregory Moeller, and prosecutor Lindsay Blake, along with programming devoted to artificial intelligence, immigration, western water law, professionalism, civility and the evolving practice of law.

The convention will also feature the presentation of the Utah State Bar’s annual awards, recognizing outstanding lawyers, judges, volunteers and legal professionals whose service exemplifies the profession’s highest ideals.

While the Bar bids farewell to one of its most cherished traditions, its mission remains unchanged.

“For 95 years, the Utah State Bar has served as a steward of the legal profession and a trusted partner in advancing justice,” said Bar Executive Director Elizabeth Wright. “As we close this chapter in Sun Valley and begin preparing for our centennial, we remain steadfast in our commitment to the rule of law, judicial independence, professionalism, and a justice system dedicated to fairness, equality and public trust.”

As the Bar approaches its 100th anniversary in 2031, it will continue building on the legacy established since its founding in 1931—strengthening the legal profession, supporting its licensees, expanding access to justice and serving the people of Utah with integrity and excellence.

About the Utah State Bar
Established in 1931 and operating under the authority of the Utah Supreme Court, the Utah State Bar regulates and supports the legal profession in the state. With over 12,000 licensed attorneys, the Bar is committed to promoting a justice system that is accessible, understood, valued, and respected. Governed by a Commission of elected attorneys from Utah’s judicial districts, the Bar provides resources, education, and support to enhance the professional practice of its licensees and upholds the public’s trust in the legal system.

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