Utah State Bar News & Announcements

The ability to attract and retain qualified judges is integral to the effectiveness of the state court system. A strong judiciary provides the foundation for the framework necessary to conduct the successful practice of law in Utah. As a member of the Utah State Bar you represent the population from which future judges will be selected, and your voice is an important one as the dialogue around an issue that is critical to the practice of law in Utah is examined.

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.

Williamsburg, VA (Sept. 8, 2006) – Utah State Court Administrator Daniel Becker has been named recipient of the National Center for State Courts’ (NCSC) Warren E. Burger Award. This award, which bears the name of the former Chief Justice of the United States who helped found the NCSC, is one of the most prestigious awards presented by the National Center. The Burger Award is presented annually to an individual who has made significant contributions to court administration, management, education, training, research, or consulting.

* 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).

Announcing:

That applications are now being accepted for the position of district court judge in the Seventh Judicial District. (Counties includes Carbon, Emery, Grand, & San Juan).

This position results from the recent announcement of the retirement of Judge Bruce Halliday.

“and Justice for all” is pleased to announce that Gregory P. Williams will chair the Leadership Committee effective October 1, 2006. The Leadership Committee oversees an annual campaign that raises funds to support civil legal aid programs for Utahns who would otherwise not have access to our system of justice—families in poverty, people with disabilities, and those facing other barriers. While an attorney is guaranteed in criminal cases, no such right exists in civil cases.

Salt Lake City, Utah-The Utah Court of Appeals is heading north to Logan for a special session of the court on October 30 at 10:30 a.m. The court will hear oral arguments at the Logan Courthouse, 135 North 100 West, and courtroom 5. The last time the Court of Appeals heard oral arguments in Logan was in May 1995.

COURT COMMISSIONER
Third Judicial District Juvenile Court
$49.52/hr (approximately $103,000/year) plus benefits

Applications are currently being accepted for a Court Commissioner position in the Third District Juvenile Court. The Court Commissioner is a quasi-judicial officer as provided by the Utah Code and the rules of the Judicial Council. This position will assist the Third District Juvenile Court with delinquency hearings, and other duties under the direction of the Presiding Judge as permitted by statute and rule of the Utah Judicial Council. The position must possess ability and experience in the area of juvenile law.

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.