Utah Bar Journal

I have benefited from a number of important mentors in my life. Each of these individuals has taken a personal interest in my career and in me personally. Each has taught me through example to work hard, smart, and ethically, and to do so with a sense of compassion and humor.

I am sure you could easily create your own list. Here is mine:

1. Richard Howe. I was fortunate to be chosen to clerk for Justice Howe at the Utah Supreme Court following law school. I thank the heavens that I was able to have this stimulating, healing experience after the rigors of law school. As a new lawyer some forty plus years earlier, Justice Howe had opened up a general law office on State Street in Murray where he took anything and everything that came in the door. He loved the law and was thoughtful about how it should be applied. Among many other lessons, he taught me to uplift and help people rather than to embarrass or put them down. I remember several times when lawyers were shell-shocked and squirming during oral argument, Justice Howe would throw a lifeline and say, “Isn’t your strongest argument…?”

2. Anne Stirba. Judge Stirba taught me to be kind to staff members, even when they fall short, and to keep an eye on the “big picture.” I watched her in admiration as she exposed a certain prosecutor who was being over-reaching and unfair. She called him on his actions and moved forcefully to protect the rights of the accused. Later, I watched as Judge Stirba showed incredible poise and courage in her fight with breast cancer.

3. Dave Epperson. Dave taught me how to be a lawyer. He took me to my first hearing, deposition, and trial. He signed all the letters and pleadings I wrote for the first year. He explained how to get things done. He gave me tremendous opportunities, always with an open door for anytime that I felt that I was over my head. He taught me never to get bogged down in personalities or unimportant issues and to stay focused on the client while remaining on good terms with all opposing counsel.

4. Wayne Owens. My dad taught me that the law can have a real impact on individuals. For many years, he fought in the Courts as a private attorney for “downwinders” compensation against the federal government. When the Courts eventually threw the effort out based upon the existing law, my dad ran for Congress and passed a bill that made it the law. He never received a fee for all of those years of work, but his efforts established a fund that benefited thousands and obtained an acknowledgment and apology from our government.
After he left public service, my dad gained a new client: the King of Jordan. I was not a lawyer at the time, but I knew that it was good to have a client with the title “King.” At the same time, President Clinton nominated my dad to be on the Utah Reclamation and Mitigation Commission related to the completion of the Central Utah Water Project, a bill my dad had passed in Congress. The Commission was essentially a volunteer position. My dad learned that ethically he could not represent a foreign power; i.e., Jordan, and serve on the Commission. Without hesitation, he declined further representation of the King and went to work to serve on the Commission, becoming its chair.
There are many others who have influenced my legal career: Glenn Iwasaki, Kate Lahey, Paul Cassell, Walt Plumb, Kay Christensen, Matt Durham, Mark Gibb, Scott Matheson, Jim Warlaumont, Steve Clyde, Rich Mauro, Dan McConkie, Phil Fishler, and Dave Slagle, among others.
I thank and pay tribute to each of these individuals. To young lawyers, seek out mentors who are doing interesting things and whom you respect. Soak up their advice like a sponge. To experienced lawyers, seek out young lawyers whom you can show the way to the marvelous responsibilities and opportunities our profession offers.