by Gus Chin
Over the years, as well as fairly recently, some have expressed concern about the relevancy of the Utah State Bar. I hope that our members realize that in addition to the essential regulatory functions of admissions and discipline, the Bar provides services intended to assist each of us professionally and otherwise. These services include, but are not limited to, CLE, information access via a well designed and managed web site, lawyer assistance programs, and a variety of volunteer opportunities.
As president of the Bar, I am mindful of the legacy of my predecessors and fellow commissioners. Their energy, effort, and commitment coupled with the assistance of a dedicated Bar staff headed by an exceptional executive director have made a difference and continue to make the Bar most relevant. I am convinced of the importance of the Bar as a stable, structured organization whose purpose includes "service to the public and legal profession by promoting justice, professional excellence, civility, ethics, respect for and understanding of the law."
In preparation for my year as your president, I looked back at some of the earlier concerns of the Bar. Much to my surprise, many of our present concerns were being discussed several decades ago. For example, in 1931, Dean Brayton, our first Bar President, in his message published in the first issue of the Utah Bar Bulletin, (predecessor to our present Utah Bar Journal) commented on the unjust criticism of our profession and how the organized state bar can do much to eliminate the criticism and "reestablish the profession with the whole judicial structure, in the public mind, where it rightfully belongs, - as the chief protector in our form of government, of the public welfare." Today, in addition to admissions and discipline, among our many concerns are the issues of access to justice, diversity, professionalism and civility.
It is evident that over the past seventy five years our Bar has undergone many important changes. As reported in the February 1932 edition of the Utah Bar Bulletin, in 1931 when the Utah State Bar was officially established, bar membership totaled 711. There were 663 active members, 27 inactive members, and 21 honorary members. Bar dues for active members were $5 and $2.50 for inactive members. Today, seventy-five years later there are 6,849 active members and 1,999, inactive members. Bar dues for active members over 3 years are $370 , and $210 for those under 3 years, and $80 or $120 for inactive members depending on the level of service desired. Additionally, in 1931 there were six bar commissioners. Today we have thirteen commissioners, eleven who are elected by the members and two public members who are non-attorneys appointed by the Utah Supreme Court.
The growth of the bar and the bar commission has allowed greater representation and has improved bar governance. Most importantly, the establishment of sections and committees as well as the growth of regional and local bars have fostered professional development, networking and mentoring opportunities. One important change has been the increase in the number of female attorneys as well as attorneys of color. All of these changes have affected the administration of justice.
I firmly believe that as an organized, integrated bar we can collectively make a difference in the administration of justice and restore honor and public respect for our profession. I, as well as the commission, acknowledge and appreciate the many who commit time, as well as effort, in service to our profession; mentoring, volunteering, providing leadership in sections, committees, regional and specialty bars, and rendering pro bono service.
I close with the following words expressed by William M. McRea, the second President of the Bar who at the first annual meeting of the Utah State Bar said:
"The hope of improving the administration of justice, of elevating the standards of our profession is not a forlorn hope. On the contrary, it is a hope capable of very practical fulfillment, and the hearty cooperation of members of the Bar has not only given encouragement to the officers, but also given every assurance of our being able in the future to accomplish lasting good. For the coming year we earnestly bespeak your continuous interest and support. ...Let us collectively strive to uphold the dignity of our calling, improve the administration of justice, and uphold the supremacy of the law and the courts."
Looking into the past, and reviewing our present priorities, I am confident about the future of our Bar. I ask for your support in making a difference as we forge into the future. Finally, I would be remiss if I did not remind us all of the importance of balance and to take a moment to pause and enjoy time, as well as activities, with family and friends.
A History of Utah State Bar Presidents
1931 Dean F. Brayton
1932 William M. McCrea
1933 M.B. Pope
1934 Samuel C. Powell
1935 Allen S. Tingey
1936 Frank A. Johnson
1937 Royal J. Douglas
1938 W.G. Vancott
1939 LeRoy B. Young
1940 Burton W. Musser
1941 E.A. Roger
1942-1944 Hon. Joseph E. Nelson
1944-1945 Melvin C. Harris
1945-1946 Orval Hafen
1946-1947 George C. Lowe
1947-1948 Bryan P. Leverich
1948-1949 Carvel Mattsson
1949-1950 Walter G. Mann
1951-1952 Hon. A. Sherman Christensen
1952-1953 Elliot W. Evans
1953-1954 Hon. Henry Ruggeri
1954-1955 Hon. Dallas H. Young
1955-1956 Ray S. McCarty
1956-1957 A. H. Nebeker
1957-1958 Hon. James P. McCune
1958-1959 Ira A. Huggins
1959-1960 A. Pratt Kesler
1960-1961 George S. Ballif
1961-1962 Rex J. Hanson
1962-1963 Elder James E. Faust (Oldest Living)
1963-1964 A. Thorpe Waddingham
1964-1965 Charles E. Welch
1965-1966 Ray R. Christensen
1966-1967 Hon. Cullen Y. Christensen
1967-1968 David S. Kunz
1968-1969 Scott M. Matheson
1969-1970 Sterling R. Bossard
1970-1971 Hon. J. Thomas Greene
1971-1972 Hon. Burton H. Harris
1972-1973 Hon. J. Robert Bullock
1973-1974 Lavar E. Stark
1974-1975 Joseph Novak
1975-1976 Harold G. Christensen
1976-1977 Clyde C. Patterson
1977-1978 James B. Lee
1978-1979 John. C. Beaslin
1979-1980 W. Eugene Hansen
1980-1981 Carmen E. Kipp
1981-1982 Duane A. Frandsen
1982-1983 O. Wood Moyle III
1983-1984 Hon. Stephen H. Anderson
1984-1985 Brian R. Florence
1985-1986 Norman S. Johnson
1986-1987 Bert L. Dart
1987-1988 Reed L. Martineau
1988-1989 Kent M. Kasting
1989-1990 Hon. Hans Q. Chamberlain
1990-1991 Hon. Pamela T. Greenwood
1991-1992 Hon. James Z. Davis
1992-1993 Randy L. Dryer
1993-1994 H. James Clegg
1994-1995 Paul T. Moxely
1995-1996 Dennis V. Haslam
1996-1997 Steven M. Kaufman
1997-1998 Charlotte L. Miller
1998-1999 James C. Jenkins
1999-2000 Charles R. Brown
2000-2001 Hon. David O. Nuffer
2001-2002 Hon. Scott Daniels
2002-2003 John A. Adams
2003-2004 Debra J. Moore
2004-2005 N. George Daines
2005-2006 David R. Bird
2006-2007 Augustus (Gus) G. Chin