Utah State Bar News & Announcements

The Utah State Bar has received a court order that will allow for the inclusion of malpractice insurance questions on the licensing forms for the 2007/8 and 2008/9 licensing years. This order can be found online at

http://www.utahbar.org/documents/20070143USB_malpractice_order.pdf

All attorneys will be required to designate the status of their license for the upcoming year. Attorneys will be asked additional questions about malpractice insurance. These questions must be answered for the licensing form to be accepted as complete. The information provided will be for the use of the Utah Supreme Court and the Utah State Bar and will not be made public.

* 2007 Annual Convention Lodging Information - July 18-21, 2007 Sun Valley, ID
* Annual Spring Practice Section CLE Events
* Nominations Sought for UDDE Board
* Bar Commission and President-elect Elections Update
* "What's in a Name?" New Name for the Solo, Small Firm and Rural Section
* The Complete Lawyer: The Fast Changing Face of Diversity

The Labor Commission has an opening for an Administrative Law Judge. The position closes April 16, 2007. Please note this position is located in Parowan and then will relocate to St. George.

https://statejobs.utah.gov/jobAnnouncement.jsp?rid=12585

For more information, contact Sharon Reynold at (801) 530-6018. Please feel free to forward this email to anyone who may be interested.

Sherrie Hayashi, Commissioner
Utah Labor Commission
160 E. 300 S. Third Floor
Salt Lake City, UT 84111
(801) 530-6848
(801) 530-7609 fax

Sent on behaf or the Administrative Office of the Courts.

Memorandum

To:
Attorneys Representing Divorcing Utah Parents of Children under the Age of Eighteen

From:
Pauleen Schnaper, Education Program Coordinator, Administrative Office of the Courts

Date: 4/11/2007

Re: HB 128 and Divorce Orientation Class

HB 128 created a mandatory one hour, one time, Divorce Orientation class for divorcing Utah parents of children under the age of eighteen years. All who file for divorce or file for the newly created "temporary separation" are required to participate in this class, starting May 1, 2007.

The purpose of the Divorce Orientation class is to educate parties about the divorce process and about reasonable alternatives. A petitioner shall attend a Divorce Orientation course no more than 60 days after filing a petition for divorce. The respondent shall attend the Divorce Orientation course no more than 30 days after being served with a petition for divorce.

Course schedules will be available by following the links on the internet at the courts' public information site, www.utcourts.gov. In most cases, the Divorce Orientation class will be held in conjunction with the Divorce Education class. The fee for the Divorce Orientation class is $20. A portion of the fee is distributed to the Children's Defense Fund. Upon completion of the class, participants will receive a certificate, separate from the divorce education certificate. Both certificates will be filed with their case information.

Attached is the Notice for the Petitioner. Download file(PDF)

If you have further questions, please refer to HB128, or contact Polly Schnaper, Education Program Coordinator, Administrative Office of the Courts, at (801) 578-3823.

The online member directory is down. We expect to have the issue fixed by 5:00 p.m. 04/16/07.

Sincerely,

Utah State Bar IT Staff

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 18, 2007
Contact: Nancy Volmer
(801) 578-3994
Cell: (801) 712-4545

THIRD DISTRICT JUDICIAL NOMINATING COMMISSION SELECTION MEETING PLANNED

Salt Lake City, UT---The Third District Judicial Nominating Commission has scheduled a meeting for April 25 to nominate a candidate to fill a Juvenile Court judge position created during the 2007 Legislative Session. The commission will meet in the Council Room at the Scott M. Matheson Courthouse, 450 South State, N-31.

The later part of the meeting is scheduled for public comment about issues facing the Utah judiciary and refinements or improvements to the system. Public comments are being accepted from 1 to 1:30 p.m. Prior to the public hearing, the meeting is closed to allow commission members to select a minimum of five candidates whose names will be forwarded to Gov. Jon M. Huntsman, Jr., to consider for appointment. The nominating commission does not take testimony on individual applicants.

Individuals interested in appearing before the commission should contact the Administrative Office of the Courts (801) 578-3800 to request an appointment.

# # #
http://www.utcourts.gov/media/news/

Salt Lake City, UT---The Third District Judicial Nominating Commission has scheduled a meeting for April 25 to nominate a candidate to fill a Juvenile Court judge position created during the 2007 Legislative Session. The commission will meet in the Council Room at the Scott M. Matheson Courthouse, 450 South State, N-31.

Dedication and Open House Planned on April 23

Tooele, UT—The new Tooele courts complex has been named “The Gordon R. Hall Courthouse.” The court complex will be dedicated on Monday, April 23 at 1 p.m. during a dedication ceremony and open house at the courthouse, 74 South 100 East.

“Gordon Hall exemplifies the highest characteristics in the state’s judiciary,” said Utah State Court Administrator Daniel J. Becker. “Justice Hall is a man of the utmost integrity who is well respected not only in the judiciary but Tooele County as well.”

Gordon Hall, 81, was born in Vernal and raised in Tooele County. He worked as a prosecutor for the Tooele County Attorney’s Office, as a Third District Court judge, as Chief Justice of the Utah Supreme Court, and chairman of the Utah Judicial Council. He also served nationally as the president of the Conference of Chief Justices and chairman of the Board of Directors, National Center for State Courts.

The new Tooele Court Complex opened on March 1, 2007. The 57,600 sq. ft. $10.4 million facility includes three courtrooms for use by the district, juvenile, and justice courts. One additional unfinished courtroom has been framed for future use. The building is expandable and can accommodate up to four additional courtrooms as the population and caseload in Tooele County grows. A unique feature of the new building is a secure corridor that allows in-custody prisoners to be transported from the jail to the courtroom without interaction with the public or staff.
# # #

Media Note: A complete biography of Gordon R. Hall follows. A photograph is also attached.

Gordon R. Hall Biography 1988-1989
President, Conference of Chief Justices and chairman of the Board of Directors, National Center for State Courts 1983-1993
Chairman, Utah Judicial Council 1987
Named Outstanding Appellate Judge of the Year by members of the Utah State Bar 1986
Member, Board of Directors, National Center for State Courts 1981-1993
Chief Justice, Utah Supreme Court 1977-1981
Justice, Utah Supreme Court 1969-1977
Judge, Third District Court 1966
President, Utah Prosecutors Association 1965
President, Utah Association of Counties 1965
Member, Tooele City, Charter Commission 1958-1969
Tooele County attorney for three terms 1955-1969
City attorney in Grantsville, Wendover, and Stockton 1952-1958
Attorney-Advisor, Commanding Officer, Tooele Army Depot 1952-1969
Private law practice in Tooele, Utah 1951
Law degree from the University of Utah
# # #
http://www.utcourts.gov/media/news/

Nancy Volmer, MPC
Public Information Office
Utah State Courts
(801) 578-3994
nancyv@email.utcourts.gov
Fax: (801) 578-3843

The Judicial Council invites comments to proposed amendments to the following court rules. The comment period expires June 15, 2007.

Summary of proposed amendments

CJA 03-304. Official court reporters. Amend. Amendments to conform with Rule 4-201. Proposed Effective Date: November 1, 2007.
CJA 03-407. Accounting. Amend. Change composition of advisory committee. Proposed Effective Date: November 1, 2007.
CJA 04-201. Record of proceedings. Amend. Distinguishes between analogue and digital record keeping systems for minimum record keeping requirements. Proposed Effective Date: November 1, 2007.
CJA 06-501. Fiduciary accountings. New. Adopt procedural provisions of Rule 6-503, 6-504 and 6-505. Better conform to statute. Resolve ambiguities in the statute. Establish minimum reporting requirements. Proposed Effective Date: November 1, 2007.
CJA 06-503. Annual report of guardian. Repeal. Move procedural provisions to Rule 6-501. Proposed Effective Date: November 1, 2007.
CJA 06-504. Annual accounting of conservator. Repeal. Move procedural provisions to Rule 6-501. Proposed Effective Date: November 1, 2007.
CJA 06-505. Fiduciary accountings. Repeal. Move procedural provisions to Rule 6-501. Proposed Effective Date: November 1, 2007.

Fillmore, UT---A panel of judges is scheduled to meet on Thursday, May 10, 2007 from 9 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. to hear testimony to determine if reasonable cause exists to call a grand jury. The meeting will take place in the Fourth Judicial District at the Fillmore Courthouse, 765 South Highway 99.