Utah State Bar April eBulletin |
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Virtual Spring Convention Brings Record Attendance |
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What a great “virtual” Spring Convention! Looking at the numbers, many of you had time to join us. While we weren’t able to follow many of the great traditions that have sprouted from our many decades in St. George, the content was superb, and nearly every session was viewed by more than 500 Bar members.
One of the many highlights for me was the Friday panel featuring Weldon Angelos, Paul Cassell, former U.S. Attorney Brett Tolman and Judge Rob Lund, who was the prosecutor in the case. It was powerful to hear testimony and the thoughts going through each of their minds during that time.
We also learned from a panel that one of the positives of the pandemic was that the diploma privilege candidates contributed over 3,000 hours of pro bono services to our community, which will be celebrated with them in September.
A focus for the Bar during this year is attorney well-being. The Bar’s Well-Being Committee, chaired by Martha Knudson, and the Lawyers Helping Lawyers Committee, chaired by Dani Hawkes and Brook Millard, are spearheading efforts to help attorneys improve their careers and their lives through increased support during difficult times. Take advantage of the resources offered by the Bar to help face your challenges. Allow me to be frank. I’ve seen the numbers and heard the stories. Our profession needs to face the reality of the fact that we’re not doing a good job of taking care of ourselves.
Don’t forget that the professionals at Blomquist-Hale are available to help. You can reach out to them at 801-262-9619 or email them here.
I took something positive—a technique, an idea, a change in perspective—away from every session of the Convention. If you missed some of it, watch the Bar’s website. The sessions will be posted soon. It’s a great way to get CLE hours!
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2021-22 Bar Officer Elections Process Underway with Ballots due April 15 |
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Katie Woods is the sole candidate for the office of President-elect. In the event that there is only one candidate for the office of President-elect, a majority of those voting are required to retain the candidate.
Katie is a native of St. George. She graduated as the Valedictorian of her Dixie High School class, and then moved on to receive her Bachelors of Science degree at Brigham Young University. Katie graduated from the University of Missouri - Kansas City School of Law in 2009.
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Volunteers Help Mock Trial Competition Take Place During Pandemic |
The 2021 Mock Trial Competition was a great success, in spite of the challenges of the pandemic. As always, the key to the event’s success was the willingness of Utah’s attorneys to volunteer as judges.
The winning teams were Integra High School at the high school level, and Integra Junior High School on the Junior High level. Thanks for all those who participated. Full details on the winners can be found here.
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Big Change in CLE Requirements as Compliance Moves to Yearly Cycle |
- CLE Compliance will Change from a Two-Year Reporting Period to an Annual Reporting Period
• July 1, 2019 – June 30, 2021 Reporting Period – the CLE requirement is 24 hours of accredited CLE, to include 2 hours of legal ethics and 1 hour of professionalism and civility. The traditional in-person credit requirement has been suspended for this reporting period. Lawyers will have through June 30, 2021 to complete required CLE hours without paying late filing fees and through July 31, 2021 to file Certificate of Compliance reports without paying late filing fees. PLEASE NOTE: Lawyers that comply with the 2021 reporting period will be required to change from a two-year CLE reporting period to an annual CLE reporting period.
- July 1, 2021 – June 30, 2022 Reporting Period – the CLE requirement is 12 hours of accredited CLE, to include 1 hour of legal ethics and 1 hour of professionalism and civility. At least 6 hours must be live, which may include in-person, remote group CLE or verified e-CLE. The remaining hours may include self-study or live CLE.
July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2022 Reporting Period - the CLE requirement is 24 hours of accredited CLE, to include 2 hours of legal ethics and 1 hour of professionalism and civility. The traditional in-person credit requirement has been suspended for this reporting period. Lawyers will have through June 30, 2022 to complete required CLE hours without paying late filing fees and through July 31, 2022 to file Certificate of Compliance reports without paying late filing fees. PLEASE NOTE: Lawyers that comply with the 2022 reporting period will be required to change from a two-year CLE reporting period to an annual CLE reporting period.
- July 1, 2022 – June 30, 2023 Reporting Period – the CLE requirement is 12 hours of accredited CLE, to include 1 hour of legal ethics and 1 hour of professionalism and civility. At least 6 hours must be live, which may include in-person, remote group CLE or verified e-CLE. The remaining hours bay include self-study or live CLE.
- Other Relevant Changes
- Streamlining rules to make them more understandable and consistent with current Bar regulations
- Allowing for self-study credits for lawyers participating as presenters in a CLE panel presentation
- Allowing more flexibility in broadcast CLE programming
- Clarifying and expanding the types of programs that qualify for ethics and professionalism and civility CLE
- Allowing for legal specialty groups to earn some credits by attending CLE programs designed specifically for and limited to those group members
2. Licensed Paralegal Practitioner Rules have been
incorporated within MCLE Rules
Further details on the changes can be found on the Bar's website.
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Board of Bar Commissioners Seeks Nominations for 2021 Summer Convention Awards in Sun Valley |
The Board of Bar Commissioners is seeking nominations for the 2021 Summer Convention Awards. These awards have a long history of publicly honoring those whose professionalism, public service, and personal dedication have significantly enhanced the administration of justice, the delivery of legal services and the building up of the profession.
Please submit your nomination for a 2021 Summer Convention Award no later than Friday, May 28, 2021. Use the Award Form to propose your candidate in the following categories:
1. Judge of the Year
2. Lawyer of the Year
3. Section of the Year
4. Committee of the Year
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Well Being Byte: Spend Time in Nature to Improve Your Well Being |
Spending time in nature is an easy and fun way to boost mental and physical well being. Listen to this month's well-being byte to find out more.
Well-Being Week
Mark your calendars! Well-Being Week in Law is May 3-7, 2021. Participation is easy, free, and fun! Start the week with a Monday lunch time well-being week CLE and look for emails in your in box highlighting each day's well-being focus. If you are looking for even more you can check out lawyerwellbeing.net for tons of free and evidence-based resources, webinars, and tools. How will you participate?
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Bar to Sponsor Use of Force CLE Symposium with Law Enforcement |
The Utah State Bar is sponsoring a virtual seminar on Police Use of Lawful and Unlawful Force. The seminar is free and scheduled for April 13, 14 and 15 from 11 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. each day.
Sessions will feature presenters and panelists like Salt Lake County Attorney Sim Gill, Justice Christine Durham (retired) of the Utah Supreme Court, Former U.S. Magistrate Judge Sam Alba and Jeanetta Williams, Chair of the Utah Chapter of the NAACP.
Local law enforcement leaders like Chief Brian Redd of the Utah State Bureau of Investigation, Chief Ken Wallentine of the West Jordan Police Department, Chief Mike Brown of the Salt Lake City PD and Curtiss Cox, Special Agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation will also present Many other leaders from Utah’s legal, education and law enforcement community are also scheduled participants.
Topics include “The History and Impact of Force in Society,” “Law Enforcement and its Role in Reducing Incidents of Force,” and “The Role of Lawyers and Leaders in Changing the Environment of Distrust and Litigation.”
The seminar is offered free by the Utah State Bar. You can register for up to six credits of self-study CLE.
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Online Marketplace to Supplement Beneplace's Member Benefit Offerings |
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.
The Utah State Bar makes no warranties, expressed or implied, regarding any of the providers listed on the Marketplace and assumes no legal liability or responsibility for loss or damage resulting from the use of products or services.
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