MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT NATHAN D. ALDER
New Lawyer Training Program
In December 2008, the Utah Supreme Court approved the New Lawyer Training Program ("NLTP") which is now required for new lawyers. The NLTP is a Court-led and Bar-administered mentoring program modeled after Georgia's highly successful program that they started 10 years ago. The Bench and Bar now seek mentors who will serve the profession by taking this formal opportunity to more effectively guide a new lawyer one-on-one through a carefully designed and highly interactive first year CLE program (www.utahbar.org/nltp). Our Supreme Court will appoint those who are qualified and willing to serve as mentors. The program requires 500 or mentors. I am honored to be president at this time and ask you to serve with me and our colleagues in this important endeavor.
April 2009 E-News
1. Vote Early - Bar election ballots were mailed out to Bar members on April 1, 2009. Ballots must be received at the Utah State Bar's office by 5 p.m. on Friday, May 1, 2009 and will be counted on May 4th. Running for President-elect are: Robert L. Jeffs and Felshaw King. Seeking to represent those in the Third District are: Christian W. Clinger, James D. Gilson and Denver C. Snuffer. Read the candidates’ statements at www.utahbar.org/elections/Welcome.html.
2. Continuing Legal Education for April -
7:45 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
3.5 CLE hours (1 hour Ethics)
11:45 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
1 CLE hour
8:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
3 CLE hours (1 hour Civility and Professionalism)
12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
1 hour Civility and Professionalism
3. The Judicial Council has accepted the final report of the Ad hoc Committee on Probate Law and Procedure, and the report is available for review and comments. To download the report and to submit comments go to the Utah State Court website: www.utcourts.gov. In the bottom-right corner is a link titled "Report on Guardianships and Conservatorships." That link will take will take you to a blog page from which you can download the report. You can also view draft legislation and draft rules dealing with particular topics, and submit comments.
4. The Complete Lawyer - Despite these difficult economic times, there are many reasons to do estate planning now rather than wait until we have more financial certainty. For those who may be subject to federal or state estate tax, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to accomplish unique planning goals and objectives. To help guide you, here are a few of the lead stories from April’s “Estate Planning For Lawyers.”
Click here to get this issue of The Complete Lawyer.
5. The Women Lawyers of Utah is holding its Annual Fireside Chat with Chief Justice Christine M. Durham on April 28 at 5:30. The event will be held at a new location, the Town Club, 1081 East South Temple. The Chief Justice will discuss unconscious bias and its relation to subtler forms of sexism. Appetizers and drinks will be served. The 2009 Christine Durham Woman Lawyer of the Year Award winner will also be announced. This event is free to WLU members and $20 for non-members. (1 hour CLE credit pending.)
6. The Paralegal Division of the Utah State Bar and Legal Assistants Association of Utah are seeking nominations for "Distinguished Paralegal of the Year." You may contact Suzanne Potts at spotts@clarksondraper.com for further information. The deadline for nominations is April 20, 2009. The award is to be presented at the Paralegal Day luncheon on May 21, 2009.