Utah Bar Journal

If Elected, Steve Owens Will:
Personally Go to All 29 Counties to meet with lawyers and judges to learn how the Bar can best serve them and how they feel about current issues facing our profession.

Oppose Any Dues Increase for active lawyers and promise that your funds will be frugally managed and spent.

Protect Our Fair and Impartial Courts from encroachments by the other two branches of government or by public referendum.

Get Free Referral Service Running at UtahBar.Org for all Utah lawyers to replace Legal Match and identify lawyers willing to do reduced-fee work to help access justice.

Investigate Group Health Insurance options for members.

Increase Public Relations Efforts to promote the good things lawyers do and their value to society, dispel the “Top Ten Myths About Lawyers.”

Infuse the Bar with New Blood, energy, and ideas by bringing in 12 new committee chairs and 50 committee members.

Implement New Mentoring Program pairing new lawyers with seasoned lawyers to learn practical skills and professionalism.

Support the Women Lawyers of Utah and Minority Bar Association in their initiatives to diversify our Bar and increase opportunities.

Conduct Detailed Review of Office of Professional Conduct to ensure it functions fairly, efficiently, and effectively.

Steve Owens’ Statement of Candidacy
One of our members said in a recent survey, “The Bar would serve me best by staying out of my life.” This sentiment is understandable because the Bar involves forced membership, mandatory dues, disciplinary matters, and required continuing education.

I know that the Bar and its nearly 10,000 members can be a significant force for good. During my six years on the Bar Commission (the last on the Executive Committee), I have helped:

• Enact a new Diversion Program for minor licensing problems;
• Implement confidential statewide mental health counseling for lawyers and their families; and
• Improve communications to Bar members through monthly email bulletins and electronic surveys.

I commit to devote the required energy and time to represent you. I ask for your vote. Please call me at (801) 983-9800 or e-mail me at sowens@erlawoffice.com. Thanks.

Scott Randall Sabey
Thank you for your membership and participation in the Bar. We have a great Bar exemplified by the professionalism and volunteerism of its members. The election of our Bar Officers is important to maintaining that quality, and your participation by voting is critical to that process.

Serving as your Bar President is important to me because there are issues critical to the practice of law that need our attention now. We have had a terrible relationship with the Legislature in the past, but we have been working hard to improve it. This year again, however, we saw bills reducing the authority of the Court, and attacking the profession. A Senator not only attacked a judge on Senate letterhead, but his enrolled SB105 took away the Court’s ability to evaluate judicial performance and gave it to a newly created Commission of 13 political appointees, no more than 6 of whom can be attorneys. Worse yet, this new Commission was funded at less than half the amount necessary to make it work. Every year we see attempts to bring our profession under the Legislature’s control. The Bar Commission needs to be vigilant in defending our rights, and having served on the Governmental Relations Committee for more than 10 years, I am equipped to deal with these problems.

Attorneys lament the demise of professional courtesy and civility within the profession. I would like to see a mentoring program instituted for new lawyers that will help improve professionalism in the practice. I would also like to see the Bar take a more active role in encouraging more professional and forthright relationships between the members of the Bar.

While I see no current need to increase Bar dues, there are several reasons I don’t think it is appropriate to take a position now on future dues increases. First, we are in the middle of a 2 year audit of each department within the Bar to answer that very question. Second, there hasn’t been a dues increase in almost 19 years – at some point it has to go up. Third, it is the Supreme Court who ultimately decides Bar dues, not the Bar Commission. We do retain roughly a Million Dollar cash reserve, but like a common non-profit budget, that is only equal to 4 months expenses. That is a conservative accounting practice when you consider that we collect the bulk of our budget in dues only once a year and have no other method to deal with emergencies.

For the last 14 years I have served our legal community. I care, I’m interested, and I know how to help because I have been working on the solutions. I believe that there are still areas where change and growth are needed, and I believe I can further those goals by serving as your Bar President.

As I have said before, “It is your Bar; please take the time to vote. And I hope I can count on your support.”

Thank you.

First Division Candidates
Uncontested Election: According to the Utah State Bar Bylaws, “In the event an insufficient number of nominating petitions are filed to require balloting in a division, the person or persons nominated shall be declared elected.”

Herm Olsen is running uncontested in the First Division and will therefore be declared elected.

HERM OLSEN
I was admitted to the Utah State Bar in 1976 and the Navajo Nation Trial Bar in 1977. My education includes: B.S., magna cum laude from Utah State University; J.D. from the University of Utah. I am also a member of the District of Columbia Bar, Navajo Nation Bar, and the American Association for Justice. I serve on the Board of Directors for the Navajo Legal Aid Services, 1994–present. I was President of the Cache Chamber of Commerce, 2005-2006. My practice areas are personal injury, municipal law, and criminal defense. Prior to returning to Utah in 1980, I worked for the U. S. House of Representatives, Appropriations Committee, and for Congressman Gunn McKay.

Statement of Candidacy:
I have appreciated the opportunity of serving as a Utah State Bar Commissioner from the First Division. As a practicing attorney for over 30 years, I hope to bring to the Bar a sense of awareness for small firm practice. The Utah State Bar leadership has done an excellent job of keeping members informed and providing meaningful input to legislative initiatives. We must remain vigilant in protecting the rights of Utahns and ensuring access to the legal system from increasing attacks by special interest groups. Thank you for your support.

Third Division Candidates
SU CHON
Su is an attorney in the Utah Office of the Property Rights Ombudsman. She mediates and arbitrates disputes between property owners and government in the areas of eminent domain, takings and land use. Su brings a broad range of experience to her candidacy, having worked as legal counsel in a small corporation, small law firm, medium-sized law firm, non-profit, and government. Prior to entering the practice of law, she pursued an interest in music by writing and editing for an internet music magazine where she met fun and interesting rock musicians. She received her JD (1994) and BA in English (1991) from Brigham Young University and is a trained mediator.

Su has devoted time to serve the legal profession and the community throughout her career. As the Co-Chair of the Communications and Membership committees of the Utah Minority Bar Association, she created the UMBA 411 and JobLert email listserv to provide members with professional and job opportunities. In 2007 and 2008, she organized the successful Law Student Mentoring Marathon and worked with the Young Lawyers Division and judges. She has spoken to groups about professional development, networking and mentoring. She has also organized Mentoring Socials bringing together attorneys, judges and law students for mentoring and networking. As the former Executive Director of the Multi-Cultural Legal Center, she brought the organization from a fiscal deficit to financial stability and ensured the provision of legal services to underserved communities. Su has also worked with various community organizations to provide free legal seminars and referrals and to support the work performed by legal services providers. She is also volunteering as a mentor with the Village Project.

Awards: 2005 Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year Award and the 2008 Raymond S. Uno Award for the Advancement of Minorities in the Legal Profession.

Statement of Candidacy:
I am proud to be a member of the Utah State Bar. We have so many great sections, specialty bars and committees that provide innovative services and support to every attorney. I have a strong desire to serve the legal community by becoming a Bar Commissioner for the Third Division. My goals as Bar Commissioner are to (1) promote fiscal responsibility and efficiency of the Bar’s services; (2) ensure that the services offered by the Bar are responsive to the needs of our members; (3) create and support programs that encourage mentoring of law students and new lawyers; (4) support programs that provide legal services to underserved practice groups and sections; and (5) support programs that provide legal services to underserved and under-represented communities. In addition to my experience working with past and current Bar leaders, I bring an open mind, fresh ideas and enthusiasm to this opportunity to serve. Please feel free to contact me at 801-530-6391 or via email at sjchon@gmail.com. I am grateful to all those who have encouraged me to run for Bar Commission, and I respectfully ask for your vote in this election.

Laurie Gilliland
Biographical Information
Bar Service
• Current ex officio bar commissioner
• Liaison to Women Lawyers of Utah, Securities and Constitutional Law Sections, and Committee on Law and Aging
• Member of Public Relations and Access-to-Justice Committees
• 2008 Fall Forum committee member
• 2007 Fall Forum co-chair – best attended and biggest venue ever
• 2006 Fall Forum committee member

Women Lawyers of Utah
• 2007-08 Past President and Firm-Retention-Initiative Committee member
• 2006-07 President and Retreat Committee Chair
• 2005-06 President-elect and CLE Committee Chair

Employment
• Since 2000, Lead Staff Attorney, Prisoner Litigation Unit, U.S. District Court
• 1994-2000, Law Clerk to Honorable Norman H. Jackson, Utah Court of Appeals
• 1981-1991, Police Crime Scene Investigator and Fingerprint Analyst, California

Education
• 1994, J.D., J. Reuben Clark Law School, Brigham Young University
– Cum laude
– Law Review Note and Comment Editor
• 1989, B.S., California State University, Fullerton
– Summa Cum Laude

Nominated By:
Lorin Barker, Kirton & McConkie
Christian Clinger, Third District Bar Commissioner, Clinger Lee Clinger
Kim Colton, VanCott, Bagley, Cornwall & McCarthy
Peggy Hunt, Ray Quinney & Nebeker
Constance Lundberg, Jones Waldo
Charlotte Miller, American Bar Association Delegate, Kirton & McKonkie
Annina Mitchell, Utah Attorney General’s Office
Stephanie Pugsley, Utah State Bar Young Lawyers Division President, Rooker Rawlins
Lauren Scholnick, Strindberg & Scholnick
Lisa Yerkovich, Ray Quinney & Nebeker

Statement of Candidacy
Dear Colleagues:
Thank you for encouraging my candidacy for Third District bar commissioner. I have enjoyed your support in my many opportunities to serve the Bar.

As your representative to the Bar Commission, I pledge to bring the same burning enthusiasm, thoughtful participation, dedication to efficiency and common sense, and tireless work ethic I have brought to all my professional activities to date. I have a proven track record as a current bar leader on the Bar Commission, Fall Forum committee, and Women Lawyers of Utah. These experiences have taught me the underlying policy, budgetary, and practical issues facing all members of the Bar. I am well equipped to continue this work.

Current matters of great import to our members are on deck: Mentoring programs, improving public perceptions of our profession, the efficacy of certain member services (e.g., mental health counseling and referral databases), unbundled legal services, pro se litigants, membership reciprocity, and strengthening legislative relationships. I look forward to bringing your perspectives to debates and decisions on these subjects and others.

I welcome your comments and suggestions by e-mail (ldgill@gmail.com) or phone (801.870.1508). And, I respectfully ask for your vote.

Thank you,
Laurie Gilliland

JAMES D. GILSON
James D. Gilson is a shareholder with Callister Nebeker & McCullough, practicing litigation. He graduated from the University of Utah (BA 1985, JD 1989). Mr. Gilson was a judicial law clerk to the Honorable J. Thomas Greene and later for the Honorable Dee Benson of the U.S. District Court; was an Assistant U.S. Attorney (D. Utah, Criminal Division); and was a shareholder at Van Cott, Bagley. During 2000-01, he served as President of the Utah Chapter of the Federal Bar Association.

Mr. Gilson is currently the Utah Bar’s representative to the Rules of Procedure Committee of the U.S. Judicial Conference. He is also a Screening Panel member of the Ethics and Discipline Committee of the Utah Supreme Court.

Statement of Candidacy:
I would be honored to have your vote as a Bar Commissioner for the Third Division. Having practiced law for 19 years in various positions, I understand the challenges we face in our profession, and desire to contribute to improving the effectiveness and efficiency of the Bar, and to improve our profession.

The core functions of the Bar (admissions, CLE, discipline) are sound. Other important functions, including community outreach and member benefits, need greater participation from the over 4,500 members in the Third Division.

If elected, I will work for the following: (1) soliciting and expanding the involvement of more members in bar governance; (2) pro bono, lawyer referral, and other outreach initiatives to expand access to legal services; (3) education, public relations, and legislative efforts to improve the understanding and perception of lawyers and the courts. These services can be done more effectively and with no increase in bar dues. I am against any increase in Bar dues.

There are untapped opportunities for members of the Bar to participate in an organized way in current public policy debates that impact legal rights and services. For instance, the Bar could facilitate a speakers’ bureau that educators, government, civic and private groups could utilize.

As lawyers we should do more to contribute in substantive, positive ways to the public discourse on many current topics of concern, such as criminal justice, immigration reform, mortgage foreclosures, and government programs and benefits. We need to pool our talents to help solve, or to at least help elevate the public dialogue, about important policy disputes. Through this process the public may better perceive that lawyers are problem solvers, instead of being the problem. As participants, we will gain increased satisfaction from our profession.

Thank you for considering my candidacy.

LORI W. NELSON
After serving my first term on the Utah State Bar Commission I have decided to run for reelection and I would appreciate your vote. I have been able to accomplish much in my first term but feel that the experience I have gained will enable me to accomplish even more in my second term.

I am working on several ongoing projects which I would like to see through to completion, including the “transition into law” or mentoring program, the two-year management review and legislative monitoring. I would also like to see the Bar develop ideas that promote advancement in the profession without sacrificing personal and family lives.

I sit on the recruiting subcommittee of the mentoring program. It has been an honor and privilege to assist in creating an effective plan for recruiting able and competent “mentors” for those just entering the law. The work on this project will be ongoing and I would very much like to continue this effort. My reelection to the Bar Commission will allow that to occur.

The Bar Commission has just begun a two-year operational review which is being conducted by the Commissioners to keep costs down and to ensure the Commission is thoroughly familiar with the working of the Bar and its staff. Included in this review is an investigation into the security of the Bar and its technology. It is hoped the information learned from that investigation can be passed along to members of the Bar so all members have the information to ensure their technology is sound and secure.

Also very important to me are member benefits and how the Commission can provide better and more cost-effective services to our members. One of the member benefits of which I am most proud is the new Diversion Rule. The new rule will assist attorneys in avoiding discipline for less serious offenses and get them the help they need in the areas of, among others, mental health, law office management and substance abuse.

Statement of Candidacy:
From the time I began practicing law I have been tutored in the need to provide service to the Bar. I began that service at the encouragement of Bert L. Dart, a former partner of mine, who told me that service in the Bar is the best way to give back to the profession. I began as a member of the Family Law Section Executive Committee. From there I served on both the Annual Meeting and Spring Meeting Committees and the Governmental Affairs Committee. I was also chair of the Family Law Section Executive Committee and continue to serve as co-chair of the Governmental Affairs Committee. Serving as co-chair of the Governmental Affairs Committee and simultaneously as a Bar Commissioner has been a very effective way to monitor legislation that impacts attorneys without duplicating efforts.

I would like to continue my service to the Bar as a Commissioner for another term. For that reason I am requesting your vote. Thank you very much.

MARGARET PLANE
Dear Members of the Third Division,

Our Division is made up of lawyers practicing in diverse settings like those I have experience with: small firms, local government, judicial offices, and non-profits. It is important that the Third Division’s representatives on the Bar Commission represent a wide variety of perspectives. Voting for me will help ensure that happens.

I am the only candidate who is a member of the Young Lawyers Division. In fact, the Division named me Young Lawyer of the Year for 2008. While I have fewer years of experience than other candidates, I will contribute valuable insights and points of view that might otherwise be missing from the Commission.

The Bar has a tremendous effect on our practice and we have the opportunity to work with the Bar to implement programs that work for the Bar’s members. These programs need to work for all the Bar’s members, who all need a voice at the table.

I have been active in the Bar my entire career. Currently, I am co-chair of a committee evaluating new lawyer training and working to develop a mentoring program for new lawyers that would truly ease the transition from law school into practice. The program aims to benefit the entire Bar, as it will perpetuate a standard of excellence among all lawyers. I am deeply committed to seeing through changes this committee will recommend and joining the Commission will help that happen.

Through my leadership roles in Bar sections and in Women Lawyers of Utah (WLU), I have helped collaborate with other sections to provide quality CLEs and programs that benefit the diverse interests and needs of the Bar. My other Bar experience includes:

• Ex-officio member of the Bar Commission;
• President of WLU;
• Chair and Co-chair of the Constitutional Law Section;
• Chair of WLU’s Career Advancement and Development Committee;
• Volunteer Bar Exam reviewer.

With your input and support, I am confident we can make the Bar a more valuable asset to our practices. If you have any questions for me, don’t hesitate to email or call me to discuss my ideas with you or to hear your ideas. (Margaret.plane@slcgov.com or 535-7610). Please vote for me.

Yours,
Margaret Plane

Professional Experience: Assistant Salt Lake City Attorney (current); Legal Director, ACLU of Utah; Judicial Clerk, the Hon. Judge Greenwood.

Education: J.D., S.J. Quinney College of Law; M.A., University of Utah; B.A., Rollins College (Winter Park, FL).

RODNEY G. SNOW
Rod Snow is the President of Clyde Snow Sessions & Swenson. He was inducted as a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers in 1993 and in 2003 received the Distinguished Lawyer of the Year award from the Bar. Rod is a Master of the Bench in the American Inns of Court I and is a past president of the Inn. He is also a past president of the Federal Bar association. Rod served on the Commission of Criminal and Juvenile Justice for eight years and is now a member of the Crime Victims Reparations Board. He has served on the Governor’s Commission for Women and Families. Rod has been a Federal Prosecutor, Special Prosecutor as appointed by the Utah Supreme Court, a Special Assistant Attorney General in cases involving the investigation of elected officials, and a Bar Prosecutor. His true love is defense work and litigation. Recently Rod has mediated and arbitrated select cases, upon request, and is enjoying this new addition to his practice.

Statement of Candidacy
Dear Bar Members:

Thank you for the privilege of serving this past three years on the Commission. I am impressed with the work of the Commission and their sensitivity to the divergent needs of our members. I appreciate the Bar staff and their efficient administration of our programs. The number of talented young lawyers who continue to swell our ranks is encouraging and promising. I invite all new attorneys to assist in our efforts to develop a Bar that responds to the different needs of our members and serves the public interest.

When I ran for the Commission three years ago, I was recovering from throat cancer and grateful to enjoy time with family and grandchildren. I also wanted to give back to a profession that had been fulfilling and exciting. Serving the Commission helped satisfy that goal. I am a co-chair of the new lawyer training program. We hope to provide each new attorney a Supreme Court approved mentor for their first year of practice to teach professionalism and provide practice ideas in substantive areas of the law, as appropriate. I would like to see this program implemented in 2009 and assist in adjustments as the mentoring concept progresses. I also serve on the Benefits Review Committee which has finished a study of Bar benefits and filed a report with our President. As a liaison to the Admissions Committee, I recognize the challenges we face in maintaining the quality of our profession as the number of applicants continues to increase. As liaison to the Federal Bar and the Appellate and Dispute Resolution Sections, I have learned much from their excellent work.

No one has the right to expect your vote. I would be honored to serve for the next three years and sincerely solicit your support.

Very truly yours,
Rodney G. Snow

RUSTY VETTER
Statement of Candidacy
Through my work on several Bar committees and as a Bar Commissioner, I have observed the Bar’s management and the Commission’s operations closely over the past several years. I’ve seen that we can do a lot more to be valuable to Bar members and the public. Some of my ideas for positive change can be found in my article Ten Ways the Bar Can be Improved in the September/October 2007 edition of the Bar Journal, which is available online in the Bar Journal archives.

Here are the ten suggestions that I detailed in my article:

1. Recognize that the Bar is a Quasi-Governmental Entity and Operate with Greater Transparency
2. Develop and Implement a Strategic Plan
3. Improve Communications with Bar Members
4. Change the Make-up of the Commission
5. Curtail Commission Expenditures
6. Separate Commission Expenses from CLE Programs and Reduce the Cost of CLE Programs
7. Adopt a Code of Ethics for the Commission and Bar Staff
8. Conduct a Preliminary Audit of Bar Operations
9. Revive Programs that Benefit Bar Members and the Public
10. Bar Members Should Get Involved

After the article appeared in the Bar Journal, I received many calls and emails of support for my suggestions. Several Bar members asked me to run again for the Bar Commission in order to help implement changes to the Bar. I believe that I can help improve the Bar as a Bar Commissioner.

It is encouraging to see the diverse group of Bar members running for Bar Commission from the Third Division this year. Please vote for me and other candidates who have new ideas and are committed to improving the Bar.

Thank you for your support.

Professional Experience and Bar Service
• Ten years in private practice (shareholder at Parsons Behle & Latimer); nine years senior corporate attorney (American Stores, JPMorgan Chase); currently Senior Salt Lake City Attorney for two years.
• Utah State Bar Commissioner (2002-2005) and Commission Executive Committee Member (2004); Member and Chair of Bar Admissions, Character and Fitness, & Bar Examiners Committees (1991-2002).