Utah State Bar News & Announcements

Salt Lake City, UT—Utah State Court Administrator Daniel J. Becker has announced the appointment of Corrie Keller to the position of trial court executive in the 1st District Court. Keller replaces Joe Derring who resigned in March 2011. The 1st District includes Box Elder, Cache, and Rich counties.

Prior to his appointment, Keller worked 27 years for the Idaho judiciary. He held the positions of clerk of court, trial court administrator, financial officer, director of court services, and deputy administrative director for the Idaho Administrative Office of the Courts. Keller is a graduate of Utah State University and a Fellow of the Institute for Court Administration of the National Center for State Courts.

As trial court executive, Keller is responsible for the administration of the juvenile and district courts, which includes providing administrative support to six judges and managing support operations of approx. 60 professional and technical staff. In addition, the trial court executive is responsible for overseeing case management, court facilities, court security, and the court’s budget in the 1st District Court. Keller will begin his new position on July 14, 2011.

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MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT ROBERT L. JEFFS
Parting Thought

The theme of my final Bar Journal President’s Message is repeated in this E-bulletin because I believe it is an integral part of our role as lawyers. We are uniquely suited to provide service and leadership to the community. Our training, experience, and ability to carefully analyze problems to formulate solutions can benefit every level of government. We have too few members of the Bar who sit on City councils or Planning Commissions, too few members serve as Senators or Representatives in the state legislature. While I recognize that few Bar members are able to devote the significant time commitment it takes to serve as a state legislator, there are plenty of other opportunities. As many of you know, Utah relies on a local and state caucus system for choosing candidates. With the Republican party enjoying significant political control, many elections are determined through the voting of the delegates rather than at a primary or general election. Bar members should become active in the local and state caucus process. As a delegate, you have the opportunity to have some positive influence in the shaping of the face of our State. In addition, a delegate is in a better position to communicate concerns about pending legislation to his or her respective representative. I claim no power to divine the future. I believe in the future, Bar members will likely see proposed legislation attempting to re-define the practice of law, taxing legal services, or affecting the public’s access to justice. Attorneys have always played a pivotal role in shaping our national and local politics. Utah will benefit from increased participation of lawyers in this process to lend their wisdom and expertise in working for legislation that supports rather than detracts from the Rule of Law. Please consider my “parting thought” and how you might find your place in this process. Thank you for the privilege of serving you as Bar President.

Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission
Online Licensing
Debtor’s Counseling Clinic
2011 National Pro Bono Celebration
CLE EVENT: Effective Use of Voice, Tips and Techniques for Lawyers

Salt Lake City, UT---Judge Royal Hansen has been named presiding judge for the Third District Court for a two-year term. Judge Hansen replaces Judge Robert Hilder who retires August 1, 2011. Judge Deno Himonas has been named associate presiding judge.

Woods Cross, Utah—Applications are being accepted for a Justice Court judge position in Woods Cross. The position will replace Judge Robert G. Peters who resigned effective July 20, 2011.

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. In addition, candidates must be a resident of the county in which the court is located—or an adjacent county—for at least six months.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 27, 2011
Contact: NancyVolmer
Phone: (801) 578-3994

PRESIDING JUDGE NAMED IN FOURTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT

Provo, UT---Judge Samuel McVey has been named presiding judge for the Fourth District Court for a two-year term. Judge McVey replaces Judge Derek Pullan whose term has expired. Judge David Mortensen has been named associate presiding judge. The Fourth Judicial District includes Juab, Millard, Utah, and Wasatch counties.

The presiding judges are responsible for the effective operation of their courts. According to court Rule 3-104, presiding judges are responsible for implementation and enforcement of statutes, rules, policies, and directives of the Utah Judicial Council as they pertain to the administration of the courts. The presiding judge is responsible for assigning cases and judges.

Presiding judges and associate presiding judges are elected by a majority vote of the judges of their court. When the presiding judge is unavailable, the associate presiding judge assumes his or her responsibilities.

JUSTICE COURT JUDICIAL NOMINATING COMMISSION

SELECTION MEETING PLANNED

Woods Cross, UT---The Davis County Judicial Nominating Commission has scheduled a meeting on August 12, 2011, to select candidates to replace Judge Robert G. Peters who resigned July 20, 2011. The commission will meet at 12:30 p.m. at the Woods Cross City Office, 1555 South 800 West.