Utah State Bar November eBulletin

Utah's Pro Bono Volunteers Knock it out of the Park

I recently had the opportunity to speak to Access to Justice groups at the University of Utah and in Provo. The occasions were Pro Bono Awards, given to souls who have put their money where their mouths are when it comes to serving their community. How about a big shout out to Brandon Merill, Paul Waldron, Trent Cahill, Commissioner Catherine Conklin, Brent Huff, Hollee Petersen, Ian Ambler and Geena Arata. These good people are todays champions for providing access to justice, having gone the extra mile(s) in blessing the lives of their neighbors in need. I know that the Supreme Court’s Task Force on Regulatory Reform has been rightly critical of the legal profession's shortfalls in finding ways to provide legal representation to our low-income friends in need of assistance. The recent report indicates that the United States ranks 99th out of 126 industrialized countries in providing legal representation to those with need. Now I ask you – when was the good old U.S. of A EVER content to rank 99th in ANYTHING?! The report indicates that 86 percent of those folks in need of judicial assistance have no access to competent help or assistance. That is why the report concludes that we have not only failed in this high responsibility, but that we have “failed miserably.” Too often when people get sued, they lose their credit, their jobs, their homes and an ability to function in society. Families are unnecessarily jeopardized. Enter Brandon, Paul, Trent, Catherine, Brent, Hollee, Ian, and Geena. They not only answered the call, they knocked it out of the park. We are periodically admonished to "succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees." As a profession, we need to answer the call better than we have done in the past. We see people in need. Let us volunteer more; let us reach out more; let us emulate the efforts of Brandon, Paul, Trent, Commissioner Conklin, Brent, Hollee, Ian and Geena. It won’t automatically solve the problem of underrepresented people in our community. But it will serve the cause of justice; it will serve the profession. And most importantly, it will serve our neighbors in need. You can read the Supreme Court Task Force report here .

Hon. Brooke C. Wells Lifetime Service Award

Dean Robert Adler Distinguished Service Award

Hon. Evelyn J. Furse Professionalism Award

Brian M. Rothschild Pro Bono Attorney of the Year

George R. Sutton Pro Bono Attorney of the Year

Detective Gregory L. Smith Community Member Award

Walter A. Romney James B. Lee Mentoring Award

Kathleen McConkie Charlotte L. Miller Mentoring Award

Susan B. Peterson Paul T. Moxley Mentoring Award

Brady Brammer NLTP Mentor of the Year

Kyle V. Leishman NLTP Mentor of the Year

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Bar Announces Fall Forum Award Honorees Several Utah attorneys and community members will be honored as part of the Bar's Fall Forum next week at Little America Hotel. Awards include Lifetime Service Awards, Pro Bono Attorney of the Year Awards, the Community Member Award and the James B. Lee, Charlotte L. Miller and Paul T. Moxley Mentoring Awards. NLTP Mentor of the Year Awards will also be presented. The Lifetime Service Award will be presented to the Hon. Brooke Wells. Dean Robert W. Adler will receive the Distinguished Service Award, and the Hon. Evelyn J. Furse will receive the Professionalism Award. Brian M. Rothschild and George R. Sutton will be honored as Pro Bono Attorneys of the Year, and Detective Gregory L. Smith, a Third District Court Veteran’s Court Compliance Officer, will receive the Community Member of the Year Award. Brady Brammer and Kyle V. Leishman will be honored with New Lawyer Training Program Mentor of the Year Awards. In 2016, the Utah Supreme Court authorized the creation of the James B. Lee, Charlotte L. Miller and Paul T. Moxley Mentoring Awards. Walter A. Romney, Jr. will receive the James B. Lee Mentoring Award, while Kathleen McConkie will be presented the Charlotte L. Miller Mentoring Award and Susan B. Peterson will receive the Paul T. Moxley Award. Full bios of the award winners are available here .

Other People Matter: For a Thriving and Healthy Practice Prioritize Social Support Healthy relationships and social support at work are vital to our ability to flourish at work and in the practice of law. Check out this month’s well-being podcast to learn more.   Listen here .

Nominations for Bar President-elect and Commissioners are Now Open Nominations to the office of Bar President-elect are hereby solicited. Applicants for the office of President-elect must submit their notice of candidacy to the Board of Bar Commissioners by January 2, 2020. Applicants are given time at the January Board meeting to present their views. Secret balloting for nomination by the Board to run for the office of President-elect will then commence. Any candidate receiving the Commissioners' majority votes shall be nominated to run for the office of President-elect. Balloting shall continue until two nominees are selected. Election information is available here . If you have any questions concerning this procedure, please contact John C. Baldwin at (801) 531-9077 or via email . Nominations to the office of Bar Commissioner are hereby solicited for three members from the Third Division, each to serve a three-year term. Terms will begin in July 2020. To be eligible for the office of Commissioner from a division, the nominee's business mailing address must be in that division as shown by the records of the Bar. Applicants must be nominated by a written petition of ten or more members of the Bar in good standing whose business mailing addresses are in the division from which the election is to be held. Nominating petitions are available here . Completed petitions must be submitted to John Baldwin , Executive Director, no later than February 3, 2020 by 5:00 p.m.

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Office of OPC Launches New Website for Attorneys and Public The Office of Professional Conduct is pleased to announce the launch of its new website at opcutah.org . Please visit the new site for information about the OPC, the disciplinary system, and links to court rules governing attorneys and Licensed Paralegal Practitioners in Utah. You will also find information about how to file information with the OPC, and the forms necessary to obtain your discipline history records or request an OPC attorney presenter at your next CLE event.

Utah State Bar Leadership Academy Accepting Applications for Class of 2020

"and Justice for all" Kicks off 2020 Legal Aid Campaign for Equal Justice On November 1 “and Justice for all” kicked off its annual law firm charitable drive for legal aid, the 2020 Campaign for Equal Justice. Last year, the group raised $400,000 to provide free legal assistance to low-income individuals throughout Utah. The “and Justice for all” sustaining law firm campaign is an annual initiative that raises funds for AJFA’s partners—Utah Legal Services, Disability Law Center, and Legal Aid Society of Salt Lake. The fundraising campaign is spearheaded by the “and Justice for all” Leadership Committee—a group of 25 law firms and in-house legal department representatives led by Cory Talbot, attorney and partner at Holland & Hart.  “Every year the legal community in Utah opens their hearts and works together to raise the funds for the disadvantaged in our community,” says Kelly Striefel, Executive Director of “and Justice for all.” “We are so grateful for their support. Legal aid programs make it possible for families in our community to get the help they need to secure their dignity, protect their assets and stay safe. Thank you, Utah law firms for your incredible support.”

30th Annual Lawyers and Court Personnel Winter Food and Clothing Drive Slated for Dec. 13

The 30th Annual Lawyers and Court Personnel Food and Clothing drive is just around the corner. Items needed this year include oranges, apples, grapefruit, baby food and formula, canned juices, meats and vegetables, dry rice, beans and pasta, peanut butter, powdered milk and canned tuna. Clothing items include coats, boots, gloves, shirts, hats and scarves, and cribs, blankets, sheets, stuffed animals, children's videos and personal care items are always welcome. The drive is coordinated by Leonard Burningham, who donates his time each year to coordinate this event. Charities benefited this year are First Step House, The Rescue Mission, Women & Children in Jeopardy and Jennie Dudley's Eagle Ranch Ministry. More details are here.

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