MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT NATHAN D. ALDER
Utah State Bar Mentoring Program
On September 30, 2008, the Utah State Bar submitted a petition to the Utah Supreme Court for the creation of a New Lawyer Training Program ("NLTP"). Utah’s NLTP will help train new lawyers during their first year of practice in professionalism, ethics, and civility. The Program will also aid new lawyers in acquiring the practical skills and judgment necessary to practice in a highly competent manner. The NLTP could be effective for successful 2009 February Bar Exam candidates and thereafter would be mandatory. More detailed information will be posted soon on the Bar's website http://www.utahbar.org/nltp/. Detailed information, and the opportunity for public comment on the proposal, is currently available at the Court's website (http://www.utcourts.gov/resources/rules/comments/). If accepted by the Court, the Bench and Bar will call on qualifying Utah attorneys to apply to mentor new lawyers (mentors and new lawyers will receive CLE credit upon successful completion of the program). We strongly encourage Bar members to volunteer as mentors with the NLTP. You can learn more, and sign up to be a mentor, at http://www.utahbar.org/nltp/.
October 2008 E-News
Fall Forum - November 20-21 - The Fall Forum has added an evening event on Thursday, November 20th that is sure to entertain and enlighten. The evening will begin at 6:30 p.m. with refreshments, networking and exhibits. The documentary film “Afterimage: The Art of 337,” by Alex Haworth and Davey Davis will follow with a panel discussion. Known as the “coolest art phenomenon in Utah”, the 337 Project was created by attorney Adam Price and his wife Dessi, who allowed artists to create an artistic showplace in their building located at 337 South 400 East prior to demolishing the building and replacing it with a mixed use condo made from recycled and green building materials. Please join us for a night of networking and CLE. This evening event is 2 CLE credits and can be included in your Fall Forum Registration or can be attended separately. Registration for the Fall Forum is available at https://utahbar.org/cle/fallforum/registration.html
Job Opening - Director, Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission - This is an appointed, career service exempt job. Incumbent in this job coordinates the activities of and reports to the Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission. Incumbent is responsible to ensure evaluations for judges are done in a timely and professional manner. Prepare reports, present findings, justify recommendations, provide testimony to legislative and judicial groups, monitor contracts, and supervise support staff. The application period runs from September 26, 2008 - October 16, 2008. For more information and an application, visit: https://statejobs.utah.gov/JobAnnouncement.jsp?rid=18494
Notice to all members of the Utah State Bar - The Local Rules Committee of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Utah is engaging in a periodic review of the Bankruptcy Court’s Local Rules of Practice and the District Court’s Local Rules pertaining to bankruptcy. The Committee seeks comments and suggestions regarding revisions that you believe should be made to these Local Rules. Your comments and suggestions generally should be made with respect to specific Rules. The comment period will begin on October 1, 2008 and end on November 5, 2008. Comments and suggestions may be made by the following methods: e-mail to local_rules@utb.uscourts.gov, online at http://www.utb.uscourts.gov/local_rules, or by mail to Kenneth L. Cannon II, Durham Jones & Pinegar, 111 East Broadway, Ste. 900, Salt Lake City, UT 84111. In your comments, please indicate whether you would like to see more forms included in the Local Rules and if you would like the Local Rules to be more proactive by including “practice pointers” either in the Rules themselves or in an associated appendix.
Dialogue on Democracy Event - In partnership with the Utah Commission on Civic and Character Education, and the Hinckley Institute of Politics, the 5th Annual Dialogue on Democracy will be held on Thursday, October 23rd from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Little America Hotel in Salt Lake City. This year's keynote speaker will be Lt. General Brent Scowcroft. President and founder of The Scowcroft Group and one of the country's leading experts on international policy, Brent Scowcroft has served as the National Security Advisor to both Presidents Ford and Bush. Please RSVP by October 13 for this event by calling 801-578-3938 or email to dialogueondemocracy@yahoo.com.
Lawyers Helping Lawyers / Blomquist Hale - Law can be a stressful profession. The Utah State Bar wants to help provide the tools to confront the unique set of challenges lawyers face. Lawyers on active status and judges encountering family problems, stress, depression, anxiety, personal cash management difficulties, elder care challenges, assessment of drug/alcohol dependence, and any other issues impairing work or personal lives may receive immediate access to free professional counseling from Blomquist Hale Consulting or experienced peer counseling from Utah Lawyers Helping Lawyers.
Blomquist Hale counseling services are free of charge and extend to eligible dependents. There are no co-pays, deductibles or limits on the number of sessions. Services are confidential and available 24/7. Please call: 1-800-926-9619
Utah Lawyers Helping Lawyers renders confidential peer-to-peer assistance to any member of the Utah State Bar whose professional performance is or may be impaired because of mental illness, emotional distress, substance abuse or any other disabling condition or circumstance. Please call: 1-800-530-3743
For more helpful information, log on to www.utahbar.org or directly to Blomquist Hale at www.blomquisthale.com or to Utah Lawyers Helping Lawyers at www.lawyershelpinglawyers.org.
2009 Spring Convention - It isn't too early to register and make accommodation arrangements for the 2009 Spring Convention in St. George. Book early for the best rooms and rates.
http://www.utahbar.org/cle/springconvention/assets/accommodations.pdf.
NEW T-Mobile Service for Utah State Bar Members - Call toll free 866-464-8662 to get a 10% discount off recurring monthly rate plan & features every month, free or discount phone(s) & waived activation fee. Reference: member Code# 877 - October Promo: After activating NEW service, email Rachelle.Buckner@T-Mobile.com with your mobile# and receive a $25 credit for each new line added (up to four lines). More information and other offers are available at: http://www.utahbar.org/members/Assets/tmobile.pdf
"I have a question or comment for the Bar President" - President@utahbar.org