Utah State Bar News & Announcements

SLC lawyer picked to lead Utah Bar

The Salt Lake Tribune

The Utah State Bar has elected Salt Lake City lawyer Nathan Alder as its new president.
Alder is a shareholder in Salt Lake City law firm Christensen & Jensen.

Additionally, Salt Lake City lawyer Stephen W. Owens was selected as president-elect, according to a news release.

Owens is a partner in the firm, Epperson Rencher & Owens.

Herm Olsen, Lori Nelson, Rodney Snow, Russell Vetter and James Gilson were elected as bar commissioners.

The state bar licenses, disciplines and provides educational programs for 10,000 Utah lawyers.

Emergency responders get free estate help
By Matthew K. Jensen

Local attorneys donated time and services pro bono Friday, crafting dozens of wills and legal documents for valley police, fire and emergency personnel through a national program.

The Wills for Heroes Foundation was created by two young lawyers who wanted to help the families of victims following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Most of the 403 first responders at the World Trade Center did not have a will.

Today the program is active throughout the country and operates in Utah through the Young Lawyers Division of the Utah State Bar, said YLD spokesperson Stephanie Pugsley.

Lawyers volunteered their time at the event to help first responders draft three documents — a last will and testament, advance health care directive and durable power of attorney.

By 5 p.m., 120 people had documents in hand.

Local attorney and Utah Bar executive Herm Olsen called the Wills for Heroes program a great opportunity both for legal professionals and those receiving the help.

“As a bar association, this is a great way for us to contribute to those who really put their lives on the line for us,” he said. Olsen, like many of the lawyers involved, is not an estate attorney. But with the help of the YLD and a sophisticated software program called HotDocs, lawyers of all backgrounds can come together to serve the men and women who work a sometimes risky profession. “These people know that death is a real possibility — maybe sooner than other professions. It’s a little hard for people to think about this but it’s far better to suffer a momentary discomfort than to ignore the problem and leave a mess,” Olsen added.

Police officers, firefighters and first responders showed up Friday with a pre-filled questionnaire about their children, real estate and beneficiaries — information lawyers then entered into computers.

“It’s a good opportunity for us to do something we probably wouldn’t have done otherwise,” said Logan Assistant Fire Chief Brady Hansen. “Hopefully nothing bad ever happens, but provided it does, we have this done.”

After just 45 minutes with a lawyer, those lucky enough to have signed up early had a packet of legally notarized documents that could cost up to $1,000 to draft in a private setting.

Organizers stressed privacy was a big concern and told participants their information would be erased after printing their wills.

The YLD says it plans to return to Cache County in the future to help those who missed the first round.

Three Wills for Heroes events have been completed in Utah during 2008.

MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT NATHAN D. ALDER
Utah Young Lawyers Division Honors

Our Utah Young Lawyers Division was honored at the ABA YLD meetings held in New York City this past week. The Utah YLD received a First Place Award of Achievement recognizing the Utah YLD's overall projects and programming. They also received First Place Awards for their Newsletter and Single Service to the Bar Project for "Been There, Done That: Succeeding as a Woman Attorney" (Chairs: Wendy Petersen and Cheylynn Hayman). Another First Place Award was given for the YLD Mentoring Marathon (Chairs: Cheylynn Hayman and Su Chon) and a Second Place Award of Achievement for their Service to the Public for Tuesday Night Bar (Chairs: Kelly Latimer, Christina Micken and Matt Wride). Congratulations to the 2007-2008 Utah Young Lawyers Division Board and President Stephanie Pugsley for all of their efforts!! You have deservedly been recognized both at home and nationally for being spectacular.

August e.Bulletin News

The ABA Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service is excited to announce plans for the first annual National Pro Bono Celebration. Scheduled for October 25 through 31, 2009, the National Pro Bono Celebration is designed to be a coordinated national effort to showcase the incredible difference that pro bono lawyers make to our nation, to our system of justice, to our communities and, most of all, to the clients they serve.

For more information visit www.celebrateprobono.org

The Board of Bar Commissioners is seeking nominations for the 2008 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. Your award nominations must be submitted in writing to Christy Abad, Executive Secretary, 645 South 200 East, Suite 310, Salt Lake City, UT 84111, no later than Monday, September 15, 2008. The award categories include:

1. Distinguished Community Member Award

2. Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year

3. Professionalism Award

View a list of past award recipients at: http://www.utahbar.org/members/awards_recipients.html

The Draper Site Prison legal access hours have changed. This came into effect on August 4, 2008. The new hours are Monday through Thursday 8:00 - 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 - 3:00 p.m.

NEW SPANISH FORK COURTHOUSE SET TO OPEN SEPTEMBER 2
Former Spanish Fork District Court Location to close August 29

Spanish Fork, Utah—A new Spanish Fork Courthouse is scheduled to open at 775 West Center Street on Sept. 2, 2008. The Spanish Fork District Courthouse—currently located at 40 South Main—will close for business on August 29, 2008.