MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT NATHAN D. ALDER
Court Budget CutsState Court has received an 8.5% total cut for FY’09. This is dramatic and very concerning. Proposals are being floated for an additional 11% to 19% cut for FY’10 which will only further erode our Court system. I am deeply worried about this situation. We can already see consequences from changes to our Court system; we must soon reverse these negative effects. Utah can ill-afford to let our system of justice slip any number of notches below what our Constitution and democratic society requires and so rightly deserves. I encourage you to read Chief Justice Durham’s State of the Judiciary Address which was emailed to all Bar members and has been posted at www.utahbar.org. I encourage you to discuss these concerns with Legislators and other elected officials, decision makers, colleagues, neighbors and friends. We are advocates for the Courts and must now step up to protect our judicial system from further insufficient funding scenarios.
February 2009 E-News
Spring Convention in St. George (March 12 - 14) room blocks will be released within the next 7-10 days. Be sure to get your reservation in before every room is gone. Join us in the warm, inversion-free air! Spring Convention information is available at: http://www.utahbar.org/cle/springconvention/Welcome.html.
Utah Appellate Court Nominating Commission Vacancies - The Bar is seeking applications from lawyers to serve on the Utah Appellate Court Nominating Commission. The Commission nominates judges to fill vacancies on the Utah Supreme Court and the Utah Court of Appeals. Two lawyers are appointed by the Governor from a list of six nominees provided by the Bar. Please submit resumes to John C. Baldwin, Executive Director, by e-mail at john.baldwin@utahbar.org , or by mail at 645 South 200 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84111. Please identify your political party or indicate if you are politically independent. Resumes must be received by Monday, March 2nd, 2009.
CLE Program Feedback Sought - The Utah Bar Commission requests your input regarding Continuing Legal Education (CLE). A committee of the Commission is studying the current state of CLE in Utah and would like you to share your thoughts, concerns or suggestions with them on February 11, 2009 at the Utah Law & Justice Center Boardroom between 5 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. You do not need to stay for the entire time. If you cannot participate in person we welcome your participation by phone at 1-888-727-6732 (when prompted, please enter the participant code number 969290.) Alternatively, your written comments are also invited. Please send all comments to clefeedback@utahbar.org.
Lawyers Helping Lawyers Programs - Lawyers Helping Lawyers has two beneficial programs they want you to know about. LHL conducts a support group for lawyers and other legal professionals to provide a safe and confidential place to talk about stress, burnout, depression, anxiety, and other issues. Come and speak or come and listen. Also, LHL has teamed with attorney and certified yoga trainer Mary Jane Wagg to offer a free yoga class for lawyers and other legal professionals. The class will be suitable for all ability levels. New sessions for both programs begin February 17th. For more information about these offerings, please contact LHL at (801) 579-0404 or toll-free at (800) 530-3743.
Mentoring - The Utah Supreme Court has approved a mentoring program which is now mandatory for most new lawyers and will help train new lawyers during their first year of practice in professionalism, ethics, and civility and aid in their acquiring the practical skills and judgment necessary to practice in a highly competent manner. More detailed information is posted on the Bar's website http://www.utahbar.org/nltp/. The Bench and Bar call on qualified Utah attorneys to mentor new lawyers. Mentors will receive some CLE credit. We strongly encourage Bar members to volunteer. You can also nominate someone to be a mentor. You can learn more, sign up, and nominate at http://www.utahbar.org/nltp/.
Group Health Insurance for Utah State Bar Members - President-Elect Steve Owens introduced Moreton & Co., the broker of record for the Innovative Staffing group heath insurance plan and individual plans for Utah State Bar members, on January 20, 2009 to a large group of interested members at the Utah Law & Justice Center. We are hopeful that those of you who have struggled to find health coverage in the marketplace will be able to obtain coverage through this new avenue. For more information about this offering, go to: http://webster.utahbar.org/news/2009/01/medical_insurance_options_for_2.html
Free CLE Law Office Mobility – The CLE department is offering a FREE seminar on How to Make Your Day More Productive with Blackberry - Wednesday, February 18th from 9 – 10:30 a.m. at the Utah Law & Justice Center. This CLE is good for one credit hour. This is your opportunity to learn more about the next generation of mobile solutions and technology from Blackberry and T-Mobile. Learn tips and tricks of a Blackberry, third party applications and software that are relevant to your field and learn how the Blackberry can be a valuable solution in the court room. Door prizes provided by T-Mobile and Blackberry and refreshments will be provided.