Utah State Bar September eBulletin
Your Volunteer Hours and Efforts Keep the Bar Moving Forward
Early last month, the rooms of the Utah Bar’s Law and Justice Center were a beehive of activity. It was grading day for the Bar Exam.  Unlike the Bar in many other states, who have paid graders, in Utah 64 attorneys spend a day volunteering their time to ensure a fair grading process.  

I am struck by the amount of time and effort so many of you give so freely to the Bar and other legal organizations. In 2020, Utah State Bar members donated more than 43,118 hours of time to pro bono services. Additionally, many of you spent countless hours serving your fellow legal professionals by teaching CLEs, organizing conventions, serving on committees, working as section chairs, and mentoring young attorneys. The Utah Bar could not exist without you. 

And throughout the country’s legal community, Utah’s legal reform efforts are lauded as the biggest step to access to justice reform in generations. 

As part of this work, diploma privilege candidates from the pandemic year of 2020 have spent many hours giving time to improve access to justice in Utah, especially among disadvantaged groups. You can see some of their stories on the Bar’s YouTube channel.

It’s no wonder the Public Policy Institute of New York State ranks Utah 14th in the nation in its quality of legal system, based on “treatment of evidence, quality of judges and other factors.”  

I am consistently amazed at the work you do to promote the Bar and the legal profession in Utah. As summer winds down, make sure to take a minute to pat yourself on the back. You are doing great things. Thank you for all you do for the Bar, for the community, and for the legal profession.

Don't forget the Bar Review kick-off event tonight, Tuesday, September 7 from 5:30-7 pm at the Alta Club, generously sponsored by the Litigation Section. Hope to see you there!

Heather L. Thuet
Utah State Bar President 
Don't Miss the Utah State Bar Fall Forum, Coming November 18-19!
Bar Seeks Nominations for 2022 Fall Forum Awards
The Utah State Bar is accepting nominations for awards for the 2022 Fall Forum.

Nominations will be accepted until Friday, September 24. We invite you to nominate a peer who epitomizes excellence in the work they do and sets a higher standard, making the Utah legal community and our society a better place.  
 
“No one who achieves success does so without acknowledging the help of others. The wise and confident acknowledge this help with gratitude.”
 
The Fall Forum Awards include:
 
  1. The James Lee, Charlotte Miller, and Paul Moxley Outstanding Mentor Awards. These awards are designed in the fashion of their namesakes; honoring special individuals who care enough to share their wisdom and guide attorneys along their personal and professional journeys.  Nominate your mentor and thank them for what they have given you.

  1. The Distinguished Community Member Award.  This award celebrates outstanding service provided by a member of our community toward the creation of a better public understanding of the legal profession and the administration of justice, the judiciary or the legislative process.

  1. The Professionalism Award.  The Professionalism Award recognizes a lawyer or judge whose deportment in the practice of law represents the highest standards of fairness, integrity, and civility.

Please use the Award Nomination Form to submit your entry.
Utah State Bar Offers Guidance on Cybersecurity Responsibilities
The Utah State Bar has issued guidance on Cyber Security breaches for law firms.

Several Utah firms have experienced cyber security attacks this year, both locally and nationally.

With cyber security threats on the rise, and remote work continuing in the wake of the global Covid-19 pandemic, potentially rendering firm security even more tenuous, it’s imperative to ensure your practice is protected from this threat. Additionally, if you have been a victim of such crimes, what are your ethical obligations post-breach? The Bar's guidance addresses these questions and more.
Well Being Byte: How Lawyers Helping Lawyers Can Help You Deal with Challenges
Have you heard of Lawyers Helping Lawyers? This Bar committee works to help attorneys deal with stress, family issues, depression, addiction and more.

The service is free and completely confidential. In this month's Well-Being Byte, 3L Megan Sanford talks about the help she received from Lawyers Helping Lawyers.

Federal Bar Association to Host Zoom Meeting on False Claims
On Thursday, September 16, the Federal Bar Association's Qui Tam Section will host The False Claims Act Today,” a Zoom program focusing on FCA practice in the District of Utah. 

Federal False Claims Act (FCA) recoveries in Fiscal Year 2020 were just over $2.2 billion. More than 600 new qui tam suits were filed and government-initiated complaints exceeded 120.

The program is free to members and $10 for non-members. 
Speakers

For this session attendees can expect a brief overview of the FCA process, including a review of case law in the District of Utah and a detailed look at: 

  • The types of FCA case most welcomed by the district’s U.S. Attorney Offices;
  • How District of Utah prosecutors work with Main Justice to investigate complaints and weigh intervention;
  • How District of Utah judges evaluate seal extensions and seal violations;
  • The local impact of the Supreme Court’s recent FCA decisions; and
  • Where District of Utah prosecutors fall in national debates over the viability of medical necessity cases, DOJ dismissal of relator-led cases, and other issues.

This webinar does not carry CLE credit. Registrants will receive Zoom login details on the day before the event

Have You Checked Out Beneplace's Member Benefit Offerings?
For many years, the Utah State Bar has partnered with Beneplace Employee Discount Services to provide Bar members with discounts on everything from travel to new car purchases. You can learn more about this great service by watching this video.

Additionally, the Utah State Bar has organized a Marketplace consisting of vendors offering services to Bar Licensees. These services are designed to help you in your practice. If you have questions or need additional information, please visit the Marketplace or contact the Utah State Bar.