Utah State Bar News & Announcements

The Bar is seeking nominations for the Dorothy Merrill Brothers Award for the Advancement of Women in the Legal Profession and for the Raymond S. Uno Award for the Advancement of Minorities in the Legal Profession. Criteria are unspecified and generally include significant efforts by lawyers or others which promote the interests of women and minorities in the profession and significant participation in events and activities which effectively raise awareness of related issues.

Logan, UT---The First District Judicial Nominating Commission has scheduled a meeting for Jan. 15, 2008, to nominate a candidate to fill a District Court vacancy, which resulted when Judge Gordon Low retired Sept. 1, 2007. The commission will meet at the Logan Courthouse, 135 North 100 West.

* President's Message: Professional Counseling Services for Utah Lawyers and Judges
* Spring Convention in St. George March 13 - 15
* January 2008 CLE Seminar Calendar
* MCLE Deadlines & Fees

Center Serves Second and Eighth Districts as Part of a Pilot Project

Salt Lake City, Utah— The Utah State Courts has launched a Self-Help Center in the second and eighth judicial districts to assist individuals who are representing themselves in court to better understand court processes. The Self-Help Center is part of a pilot project the court is conducting through June 30, 2008.

WHAT: 2008 State of the Judiciary Address.

WHO: The Honorable Christine M. Durham, Chief Justice of the Utah Supreme Court, will address the House and Senate in a joint session.

WHEN: Monday, January 21 at 2:15 p.m.

WHERE: Utah State Capitol, House of Representatives.

SPEECH: Copies of Chief Justice Durham’s speech will be distributed to reporters at the capitol prior to the address. An electronic copy will be available at http://www.utcourts.gov/media/news/ following the address.

Effective January 1, 2008, the Utah Supreme Court adopted the proposed amendment to Rule 14-404(a) of the Rules and Regulations Governing Mandatory Continuing Legal Education to require that one of the three hours of “ethics or professional responsibility” be in the area of professionalism and civility.

Logan, UT---The First District Judicial Nominating Commission has selected five nominees for a vacancy in the First District Court. The position will replace Judge Gordon Low who retired effective August 31, 2007. The First Judicial District is comprised of Box Elder, Cache, and Rich counties.

WHAT: The Utah Supreme Court will hold court in the newly-renovated, historical Supreme Courtroom at the State Capitol. This is the first time the Supreme Court has held oral arguments in the courtroom since the Capitol Building has been renovated.

The Supreme Court and the Judicial Council invite comments to proposed amendments to the following court rules. The comment period expires March 19, 2008.

Summary of proposed amendments

Rules Governing the Utah State Bar

USB 14-1001. Petition to Amend Rule 14-1001.

USB 14-1001. IOLTA Amend. Clarifies the formula for determining whether the net income from investing client funds exceeds the cost of doing so. Directs the Utah Bar Foundation to determine whether an institution is eligible for deposits. Establishes the criteria to be an eligible