DISTINGUISHED SECTION OF THE YEAR
Utah State Bar Litigation Section
Elaina Maragakis, Chair
The Litigation Section, with some 1700 members, is the largest and one of the most active sections of the Utah State Bar. Over the years, the Section has instituted a number of programs and resources that serve litigators throughout the State of Utah. The Litigation Section sponsors numerous CLEs throughout the year, including the weeklong NITA Trial Seminar. Additionally, it hosts a quarterly CLE luncheon for members. The section is an active participant in and sponsor of events including the Utah State Bar Annual Convention, Mid-Year Meeting, and Fall Forum. The section has also joined with other sections of the Bar to co-sponsors a number of CLEs.
One of the most widely used resources created and maintained by the Litigation Section is an on-line Benchbook, which is a comprehensive and indispensable resource for litigators. In addition to information about the policies and procedures of federal and state judges throughout the State of Utah, the Benchbook also contains judicial profiles and interviews. The Litigation Section has a long tradition of being actively involved in the community. For example, the section has established scholarships at both the S.J. Quinney College of Law at the University of Utah, and the J. Reuben Clark Law School, which are awarded to law students who excel in each school's respective trial advocacy program.
In an effort to further enhance the relationship between the section and law students, the section is in the process of offering law student memberships in the Litigation Section. The Litigation Section has also supported numerous events within the Bar and the larger community, including: a contribution to "and Justice for all," sponsorship of the 2006 Law Day Newspaper Insert, and sponsorship of the "First 50 Minority Lawyers of Utah" celebration. Members of the Litigation Section's Executive Committee for 2005-06 are: Elaina Maragakis (Chair), Ryan Harris (Vice-Chair), Sammi Anderson (Secretary), Dan Steele (Treasurer), Bruce Badger, Lee Curtis, Ryan Frazier, Jonathan Hafen, Judge Deno Himonas, Wayne Klein, Sean Monson, Willis Orton, Jacquelyn Rogers, Bryan Pattison, Michael Petrogeorge, Scott Reed, and Judge Randall Skanchy.