Commission Highlights
The Board of Bar Commissioners received the following reports and took the actions indicated during their regularly scheduled August 25, 2006 Commission meeting held at the University of Utah, S. J. Quinney Law School.
1. Gus reported that at the recent National Conference of Bar Presidents ("NCBP") meeting the primary issues discussed were: (1) diversity (fewer minorities are enrolling in law school and females and minorities are leaving law firms earlier in their careers); (2) judicial independence; and (3) an increase of stress in the profession. He further reported on the continuing issue related malpractice insurance disclosure.
Gus observed that Massachusetts and Virginia have recently imposed some form of malpractice insurance disclosure. Currently 11 jurisdictions require malpractice insurance disclosure to the Bar and five jurisdictions are considering adopting the same requirement. John Baldwin advised that the Bar is currently collecting voluntary insurance disclosure information on the Bar licensing form but the data are not yet available. Gus ended the discussion by saying that the Bar needs to be prepared in case the Supreme Court orders mandatory disclosure.
2. Gus observed that Senator Chris Buttars had a proposed bill relating to legislative reconsideration of judges. He asked that Commissioners express their views on this proposal to their legislators.
3. Gus announced that he has formed an Ad Hoc Pro Bono Review Committee with Herm Olsen as chair. Herm will be joined by Curtis Jensen as a designated committee member. Dean Chodosh volunteered and David Hall said that he would designate one of the three co-chairs of Tuesday Night Bar. Kathryn Shelton also offered to recruit a paralegal member.
Gus said the Pro Bono Review Committee will review data and hopefully ascertain how we can increase pro bono placements. It will also make recommendations for the Bar's Pro Bono Coordinator. He opined that the Bar may not be providing sufficient legal assistance, particularly in the criminal law area. He further stated that the ABA suggests lawyers provide 50 hours of pro bono work per year.
4. John said the Bar's Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year Award and the Community Service Award will be presented during the upcoming Fall Forum. The Bar is in need of nominees from Commissioners (and other Bar members) and there will be a notice in the upcoming Bar Journal soliciting nominees. Margaret Plane suggested placing a list of past recipients on the website and John agreed to do so.
5. Gus noted that lawyer member terms from Second District Nominating Commission are due to expire and we have received seven applications from lawyers who have expressed their desire to serve on this Commission. We are charged with providing six names to the Governor's Office and no more than four of the seven nominees can be from the same political party. The nominees were discussed and voted upon. The Commission selected Brent V. Manning, Troy S. Rawlings, Randolph G. Shaner, Jr., Brad C. Smith, Robert L. Stott, and Clark K. Taylor.
6. John reported on the Annual Convention held in Newport. He said that from the surveys received, 32% of the attendees felt it was an "excellent experience" and 50% felt it was a "good experience." He said that the Bar is tentatively committed to Sun Valley in 2008. Nate opined that more judges attend when the convention is held in Sun Valley, which is an important factor. A vote was taken. Sun Valley as the site for the 2008 Annual Convention was approved with none opposed.
7. The following individuals were reappointed to the Legal Services Board: Lisa Hurtado-Armstrong, Jody K. Burnett, Catherine F. Labatte, A. Howard Lundgren, Thom R. Roberts, Lauren I. Scholnick, Erik Strindberg, Roland F. Uresk, Francis M. Wikstrom and Michael D. Zimmerman. The following individuals were appointed to the Board: John L. Black, Jr., Sarah Lynn Mathews, D. Michael Nielsen, Kenneth R. Wallentine and Tracey M. Watson.
8. Scott Sabey reported on the most recent Judicial Council meeting. He said the AOC is reviewing finances for possible priority funding of the following positions: (1) seven new law clerks for trial court judges; (2) a new Third District Juvenile Court Judge; and (3) a new Third District Court Commissioner.
A full text of minutes of this and other meetings of the Bar Commission is available for inspection at the office of the Executive Director.