Utah State Bar News & Announcements

Riverdale, Utah—Applications are being accepted for a Justice Court judge position in Riverdale City. The position will replace Judge Michelle E. Heward who has been nominated by Governor Gary Herbert for a Juvenile Court judgeship in the 2nd Judicial District.

To be considered for the position, candidates must be at least 25 years of age, a citizen of the United States, a Utah resident for at least three years, and have earned a high school diploma or GED.

Information on judicial retention and performance evaluation is posted on the Utah State Court’s Web site at www.utcourts.gov under employment opportunities. An application for judicial office form must be completed and is available on the court’s Web site. The part-time position offers an annual salary between $39,645 and $71,361. For additional information, contact Riverdale City Attorney Steve Brooks at (801) 721-1100.

The deadline for applications is August 13, 2010 at 5 p.m. and should be sent to the attention of Shari Veverka, Administrative Office of the Courts, P.O. Box 140241, Salt Lake City, UT 84114-0241 or faxed to (801) 578-3843. For more information, e-mail shariv@email.utcourts.gov or call (801) 578-3844.

Utah law requires that a local county Justice Court Nominating Commission be created with representatives appointed from the county commission, the municipalities, and the local Bar Association. The Weber County Nominating Commission is tasked with submitting a minimum of three names to Riverdale City Major J. Bruce Barrows. The appointment is subject to confirmation by the Riverdale City Council and certification by the Utah Judicial Council.

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MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT ROBERT L. JEFFS
Annual Bar Survey of Programs and Services

The Bar Commission is interested in your feedback on the programs and services being provided by the Bar. Your responses will help us determine how we can do things better to serve your needs and those of the public and how we can be more efficient in performing our regulatory responsibilities for the Utah Supreme Court. If you would like to take the survey please email onlineservices@utahbar.org with your bar number, first and last name, and we will send you the link to the survey.

The survey will only take a few minutes to complete and your input will help us tremendously.

Summer Convention in Sun Valley was a marvelous success! Thank you to our speakers and presenters for an educational and motivating summer getaway. In Justice Clarence Thomas' keynote address, he spoke about his duties and the isolation the nine justices feel as they serve on the nation's high court. He said that speaking to groups like ours, "allow(s) me to come out and see the people who really matter in our government, and that is you all." Justice Thomas was refreshingly humorous and upfront in his address. Truly, the bar has been set high as we plan future events. We fully expect that you are making plans now to join us at the 2011 Summer Convention July 7th through July 9th in San Diego, California. Convention planners are already busy putting together another stellar group of speakers and CLE events that you won't want to miss.

August 2010 E-News

* Annual Award Recipients
* Utah Supreme Court Committee Vacancy
* 2010 Fall Forum Awards
* Change to Utah Rules of Civil Procedure 64D. Writ of garnishment
* Bar Election Information Available on the Web

1. Annual Award Recipients - The Bar wishes to congratulate Judge Robert Hilder who was selected as Judge of the Year and Judge Pam Greenwood who was recognized with a Distinguished Judicial Service Award. Randy Dryer was awarded Lawyer of the Year. Each of these award recipients has a long history of professionalism, public service and personal dedication to the building up of the legal profession. Also given awards at the 2010 Summer Convention were the Bar Examiner Committee and the Military Law Section as Committee and Section of the year, respectively.

2. Utah Supreme Court Committee Vacancy - The Supreme Court is seeking applicants for an attorney to serve on the Civil Procedures Committee. Applicants should be experienced in civil litigation and the rules of procedure. To apply, submit a letter of interest and a brief resume to Tim Shea at tims@email.utcourts.gov or Administrative Office of the Courts / P.O. Box 140241 / Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-0241. The deadline for applications is August 30th. To help stagger the terms of all committee members, the initial appointment will be for two years and for four years thereafter. The committee meets about nine times per year, usually on the fourth Wednesday of the month, from 4:00 to 6:00 in the Administrative Office of the Courts at the Matheson Courthouse. If you would like more information about the committee, please visit the committee's webpage http://www.utcourts.gov/committees/civproc/.

3. 2010 Fall Forum Awards - The Board of Bar Commissioners is seeking nominations for the 2010 Fall Forum Awards. Award nominations must be submitted in writing to Christy Abad, Executive Secretary, 645 South 200 East, Suite 310, Salt Lake City, UT 84111, no later than Monday, September 3, 2010. The award categories include Distinguished Community Member Award, Professionalism Award, Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year. View a list of past award recipients at: http://www.utahbar.org/members/awards_recipients.html

4. Change to Utah Rules of Civil Procedure 64D. Writ of garnishment - Effective July 1, 2010 garnishees are no longer required to file a copy of completed answers to interrogatories with the clerk of the court. Answers to interrogatories must still be filed with the plaintiff/judgment creditor and defendant/employee as well as any other person shown by the records of the garnishee to have an interest in the property. To see the revised rule, visit http://www.utcourts.gov/resources/rules/urcp/urcp064d.html.

5. Bar Election Information Available on the Web - Nominating petitions for Commission elections in the First and Third Divisions for the 2011 election may be obtained on the Bar's website at http://www.utahbar.org/elections/commission_elections.html. Completed petitions must be received no later than February 1, 2011.

"I have a question or comment for the Bar President" - President@utahbar.org

Salt Lake County, UT—The Salt Lake County Nominating Commission has selected nominees for upcoming vacancies in the Bluffdale Justice Court and Herriman Justice Court. The positions will replace Judge Reed Parkin who has been appointed to the Orem City Justice Court effective Sept. 1, 2010.

Riverdale, UT---The Weber County Judicial Nominating Commission has scheduled a meeting on August 17, 2010, to select candidates to replace Judge Michelle E. Heward who has been nominated by Governor Gary Herbert for a Juvenile Court judgeship in the 2nd Judicial District. The commission will meet at the Riverdale City Building, 4600 South Weber River Drive.

Salt Lake City, UT—Utah State Court Administrator Daniel J. Becker has announced the appointment of Diane Abegglen to the position of trial court executive for Utah’s Appellate Courts. Abegglen replaces Matty Branch who retired in April. The Appellate Courts include the Court of Appeals and the Utah Supreme Court.

Riverdale, Utah—Applications are being accepted for a Justice Court judge position in Riverdale City. The position will replace Judge Michelle E. Heward who has been nominated by Governor Gary Herbert for a Juvenile Court judgeship in the 2nd Judicial District.

All Small Claims Cases to be Filed in Justice Court

Salt Lake City, UT—Beginning Sept. 1, 2010, individuals planning to file a small claims case will need to do so at their local city or county Justice Court. The only exception is some areas of Cache County that do not have a Justice Court. The change is occurring as a cost-saving measure in the state courts.

Salt Lake City, UT—Nearly 11,000 Utah children are impacted by divorce each year, including 2,500 children in Salt Lake County. To address the needs of these children, the Utah State Courts offers a Divorce Education for Children class twice each month at no charge to participants. Classes take place on Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon and Monday from 6 to 8 p.m. Following are the dates for upcoming classes: August 30, Sept. 11 and Sept. 20.

Ms. Heather Finch was the President of the Paralegal Division of the Utah State Bar and was serving as an ex-officio member of the Utah State Bar Board of Bar Commissioners. The Bar Commission and Utah State Bar Staff extend their sympathies to her family and friends.

SALT LAKE CITY -- Two women on board a plane that crashed early Tuesday in Nepal are from Utah.

The Provo law firm of Howard, Lewis & Petersen confirms two of its employees were killed in the crash.

John Valentine, managing shareholder at the firm, identified the two women as Leuzi Cardoso and Heather Finch.

Heber, UT— Heber City Mayor David Phillips has appointed Randy B. Birch, of Heber City, to fill a vacancy in the Heber City Justice Court. The position will replace Judge Reed Parkin who has been appointed to the Orem City Justice Court effective Sept. 1, 2010.

Harrisville, UT—The Harrisville Nominating Commission has selected nominees for upcoming vacancies in the City of Harrisville Justice Court. The position will replace Judge James L. Beesley who retired from the City of Harrisville Justice Court effective June 30, 2010.

The Supreme Court and the Judicial Council invite comments to proposed amendments to the following court rules. The comment period expires October 19, 2010.