Utah State Bar News & Announcements

UTAH STATE COURTS EXPANDS SELF-HELP CENTER SERVICES
Center Now Assisting Self-Help Parties in Sixth Judicial District

Salt Lake City, Utah— The Utah State Courts has expanded the Self-Help Center services to the Sixth Judicial District. The Self-Help Center assists individuals who are representing themselves in court to better understand court processes. The Self-Help Center program was launched in December 2007 in the Second and Eighth Judicial Districts as part of a pilot project and expanded to the Seventh Judicial District in January 2009.

FOURTH DISTRICT JUDICIAL VACANCY POSTED

Provo, Utah—Applications are now being accepted for a vacancy on the 4th District Court bench. The 4th District includes Juab, Millard, Utah, and Wasatch counties. The position will replace Judge Howard Maetani who retired Jan. 1, 2010.

Dear Utah ABA members,

I am pleased to let you know that Utah now has three representatives to the ABA House of Delegates. Larry Stevens and Margaret Plane were appointed by the Bar Commission to serve in the ABA House of Delegates and I am serving as the elected Utah State Delegate.

The next meeting of the House of Delegates is February 8 and 9, 2010. The Summary of Recommendations, including links to the full Reports with Recommendations, are posted on the ABA's House of Delegates website. If you have any input you would like to give to Larry, Margaret or me regarding these matters, please contact us.

We all appreciate the opportunity to serve you.

Sincerely,

Larry Stevens
Margaret Plane
Charlotte Miller

One in eight Utah children lives in poverty. To help combat this sad statistic, Leonard Burningham and Lincoln Mead ramped up the Annual Food & Clothing Drive this year, asking Utah attorneys to provide the cash equivalent of one holiday meal in addition to clothing or household good donations. You responded in a BIG way! We filled a 21 foot trailer full of with clothing, furniture, toys, and household goods AND we collected over $22,000 in cash donations, enough to feed 1200 families this holiday season. Thanks to all who participated!




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
January 2010 E-News
Petition to Raise Licensing Fees Filed
Judicial Performance Evaluations are Going Online
Are Your Legal Notices Online?
Dealing With Atrocity; A Public Lecture
2010 Spring Convention
2010 Spring Convention Awards
Notice of Electronic Balloting
Notice of Election - Bar Commission

The Women Lawyers of Utah is seeking nominations for the 2010 Christine M. Durham Woman Lawyer of the Year award. The award will be presented at the annual Fireside chat with Chief Justice Durham on April 29, 2010 at the Town Club. The Fireside is open to members of the WLU and membership information is available on our website www.utahwomenlawyers.org

Salt Lake City, UT—Utah State Court Administrator Daniel J. Becker has announced the appointment of Peyton Smith to the position of trial court executive in the 3rd District Court. Smith replaces Peggy Gentles who is now working for the Minnesota court system. The 3rd District includes Salt Lake, Summit, and Tooele counties.

SELECTION MEETING PLANNED

Salt Lake City, UT---The Court of Appeals Judicial Nominating Commission has scheduled a meeting for Feb. 3, 2010, to nominate candidates to fill a vacancy that resulted when Judge Russell Bench retired Dec. 31, 2009. The commission will meet at the Scott M. Matheson Courthouse, 450 South State, in the Judicial Council room.

Ogden, Utah—Applications are being accepted for a vacancy on the 2nd District Court bench. The 2nd District includes Davis, Morgan, and Weber counties. The position will replace Judge Rodney Page who retired Sept. 1, 2009.

Applications are now being accepted for the position of district court judge in the Second Judicial District. (Counties include Davis, Morgan, Weber). This position results from the retirement of Judge Rodney Page on September 1, 2009 Completed application forms must be received by the Administrative Office of the Courts no later than 5:00 p.m., Friday, February 26, 2010.

The Supreme Court and the Judicial Council invite comments to proposed amendments to the following court rules. The comment period expires March 16, 2010.

Summary of proposed amendments

A new bill has been introduced at the State Legislature permitting the Governor to appoint the Chief Justice of the Utah Supreme Court. The Bar Commission has voted unanimously to oppose the bill. Attached are my remarks explaining our vote. Please contact your legislators to oppose this bill.

Letter from Bar President Stephen W. Owens

Link to S.B. 109 -- Chief Justice of the Utah Supreme Court Appointment