Utah State Bar News & Announcements

Nathan D. Alder

Updated: 12/03/2008 08:23:58 PM MST

Salt Lake Tribune

Fallout from the economic crisis is readily apparent. Those who are suffering the most are the very poor who are unable to meet even their most basic needs.

As an individual, I am concerned for the immediate welfare of our fellow Utahns -- ensuring that people obtain safety, food, shelter, income and the basic services that promote self-sufficiency. As an attorney, I think about the role that the law plays in helping people meet these basic needs.

Bar President-Elect - Notice of Election - Any active member of the Bar in good standing is eligible to submit his or her name to the Bar Commission to be nominated to run for the office of president-elect in a popular election and to succeed to the office of president. Indications of an interest are due at the Bar offices, c/o Executive Director John Baldwin, 645 South 200 East, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84111 or via e-mail at director@utahbar.org by 5:00 p.m. on January 2, 2009.

The Bar Commission will interview all potential candidates at its meeting in Salt Lake City on January 23, 2009 and will then select two finalists to run on a ballot submitted to the active Bar membership. Final candidates may also include sitting Bar Commissioners who have indicated an interest in running for the office.

Pursuant to the Rules of Integration and Management of the Utah State Bar ("Rules"), Applicants must be nominated by a written petition of ten or more members of the Bar in good standing and residing in their respective Division. NOTE: Residence is interpreted in the Rules to be the mailing address according to the Bar’s records. Completed petitions must be returned to the Utah State Bar office no later than February 1st.

Ballots will be mailed on or about April 1 with balloting to be completed and ballots received by the Bar office by 5:00 p.m. May 1. Ballots will be counted on May 2.

In order to reduce out-of-pocket costs and encourage candidates, the Bar will provide the following services at no cost:

1) space for up to a 200-word campaign message plus a photograph for the E-bulletin and in the March/April issue of the Utah Bar Journal. The space may be used for biographical information, platform or other election promotion. Campaign messages for the E-bulletin and Bar Journal are due along with completed petitions, two photographs, and a short biographical sketch no later than February 1st;

2) space for up to a 500-word campaign message plus a photograph on the Utah Bar Website due February 1st;

3) a set of mailing labels for candidates who wish to send a personalized letter to the lawyers in their division who are eligible to vote; and

4) the Bar will insert a one-page letter from the candidates into the ballot mailer. Candidates would be responsible for delivering to the Bar no later than March 15th enough copies of letters for all attorneys in their division. (Call Bar office for count in your respective division.)

If you have any questions concerning this procedure, please contact John C. Baldwin at the Bar Office, 531-9077.

Third, Fourth and Fifth Division Commission - Notice of Election - Nominations to the office of Bar Commission are solicited for two members from the Third Division, one member from the Fourth Division and one member from the Fifth Division, each to serve a three-year term. To be eligible for the office of Commissioner from a division, the nominee’s mailing address must be in that division as shown by the records of the Bar.

Applicants must be nominated by a written petition of ten or more members of the Bar in good standing and residing in their respective division. Nominating petitions may be obtained from the Bar office on or after January 1, 2009 and completed petitions must be received no later than February 1, 2009 by 5:00 p.m. If you have any questions concerning this procedure, please contact John C. Baldwin at 645 South 200 East, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84111 or via e-mail at director@utahbar.org.

Nominating Petition

MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT NATHAN D. ALDER
URGENT NEED: Lawyers and Court Personnel Food & Winter Clothing Drive

You don't need me to tell you that fallout from our current economic crisis is readily apparent in our neighborhoods. (see my recent opinion piece in the Salt Lake Tribune - www.sltrib.com/ci_11130076?IADID=Search-www.sltrib.com-www.sltrib.com.) With the great need in our community at the forefront of our minds and hearts, we are announcing an expansion of the Annual Food & Winter Clothing Drive. Utah Food Bank Services has had a 30% increase this year in requests for food without an increase in food donations. One way we can help end this crisis is by signing up with the Food Bank to do a food drive in our firms. Go to the Utah Food Bank website at www.utahfoodbank.org. Click on “Get Involved” and then “Host a Food Drive.” Scroll down and click on “To Get Started - Register your organization and drive online” and complete the simple on line registration form. Questions can be directed to Brenda Thompson (801) 887-1227.

Moab, UT---A panel of judges is scheduled to meet on Jan. 15, 2009 to hear testimony to determine if reasonable cause exists to call a grand jury. The meeting will take place in the Grand County Courthouse, 124 East Center St., Moab.

Ogden, UT--The Second District Judicial Nominating Commission has selected five nominees for a vacancy in the Second District Court. The position will replace Judge Parley Baldwin who has announced his retirement effective Dec. 31, 2008. The Second Judicial District is comprised of Davis, Morgan, and Weber counties.

Pursuant to the Rules of Integration and Management of the Utah State Bar ("Rules"), Applicants must be nominated by a written petition of ten or more members of the Bar in good standing and residing in their respective Division. NOTE: Residence is interpreted in the Rules to be the mailing address according to the Bar’s records. Completed petitions must be returned to the Utah State Bar office no later than February 1st.

Ballots will be mailed on or about April 1 with balloting to be completed and ballots received by the Bar office by 5:00 p.m. May 1. Ballots will be counted on May 2.

In order to reduce out-of-pocket costs and encourage candidates, the Bar will provide the following services at no cost:

1) space for up to a 200-word campaign message plus a photograph for the E-bulletin and in the March/April issue of the Utah Bar Journal. The space may be used for biographical information, platform or other election promotion. Campaign messages for the E-bulletin and Bar Journal are due along with completed petitions, two photographs, and a short biographical sketch no later than February 1st;

2) space for up to a 500-word campaign message plus a photograph on the Utah Bar Website due February 1st;

3) a set of mailing labels for candidates who wish to send a personalized letter to the lawyers in their division who are eligible to vote; and

4) the Bar will insert a one-page letter from the candidates into the ballot mailer. Candidates would be responsible for delivering to the Bar no later than March 15th enough copies of letters for all attorneys in their division. (Call Bar office for count in your respective division.)

If you have any questions concerning this procedure, please contact John C. Baldwin at the Bar Office, 531-9077.

Nominating Petition

Salt Lake City, Utah—Recruiting efforts to fill a vacancy on the Court of Appeals bench have been put on hold due to budget constraints, according to Utah State Court Administrator Daniel J. Becker. The vacancy will occur when Judge Judith Billings retires Dec. 31, 2008.

“We have asked Governor Huntsman to suspend filling the position and he has agreed to do so,” Becker said. “We appreciate the Governor understanding the necessity of this action,” Becker continued. Holding future judicial vacancies open is one step the Utah Judicial Council has deemed necessary in light of the current budget situation, however, this action will not affect judicial vacancies prior to 2009. The Court of Appeals position is the only current judicial vacancy that will go unfilled. The Judicial Council, which is chaired by Chief Justice Christine M. Durham, is the governing body of the Utah State Courts.