Utah State Bar News & Announcements

The Supreme Court and Judicial Council have approved amendments to the following Utah court rules.

Summary of amendments

Rules of Civil Procedure
URCP 063. Disability or disqualification of a judge. Amend. Clarify that judge is to take no action in a case after a motion to recuse has been filed. Effective: November 1, 2006.
URCP 074. Withdrawal of counsel. Amend. Requires judicial consent for withdrawal if a hearing has been set. Effective: November 1, 2006.

* 2006 Fall Forum Awards
* Lawyer Support Group Established
* Fifth Annual “Bar Sharks For Justice” Pool Tournament
* Minority Bar Annual Banquet – October 20, 2006
* New Presiding Judges in 1st, 4th and 5th Districts
* Law Practice Management Resource

2006 Fall Forum Awards
The Board of Bar Commissioners is seeking nominations for the 2006 Fall Forum Awards. These awards have a long history of honoring publicly those whose professionalism, public service, and personal dedication have significantly enhanced the administration of justice, the delivery of legal services, and the building up of the profession. The award categories include: 1) Distinguished Community Member Award, 2) Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year, & 3) Professionalism Award. Your award nominations must be submitted in writing to Christy Abad, Executive Secretary, Utah State Bar, 645 South 200 East, #310, Salt Lake City, UT 84111, no later than Monday September 18, 2006. The Fall Forum, an excellent opportunity for quality CLE, will be held November 3, 2006 at the Little America Hotel in Salt Lake City (www.utahbar.org/cle/fallforum/Welcome.html).

The Supreme Court invites comments to proposed amendments to the following court rules. The comment period expires November 17, 2006.

Summary of proposed amendments

Rules of Civil Procedure
URCP 005. Service and filing of pleadings and other papers. Amend. Describes when the attorney and party must be served if the attorney has entered a limited appearance.
URCP 017. Parties plaintiff and defendant. Amend. Limits the requirement that a minor appear by a guardian or guardian ad litem to an unemancipated minor.
URCP 074. Withdrawal of counsel. Amend. Establishes the procedures for withdrawing from a limited appearance.
URCP 075. Limited appearance. New. Establishes the procedures for entering a limited appearance when a client, under the rules permitting unbundling legal services, hires an attorney for a limited purpose.