Commission Highlights

• Date: 01 May 2006
• Publication year: 2006
• Pages: 10
• Citation: Vol. 19 No. 3 Pg. 10

Utah Bar Journal Volume 19.

Vol. 19, No. 3 - #10. Commission Highlights

Utah Bar Journal
Volume 19, No. 3
May/June 2006

Commission Highlights

During its regularly scheduled meeting of January 27, 2006 which was held in Salt Lake City, Utah, the Board of Bar Commissioners received the following reports and took the actions indicated

1. David Bird reviewed the priority items of the June 2005 Bar Commission Retreat Governance Resolutions. David Bird also discussed the Commission priorities adopted in July 2005 by the Commission: Relations with Legislature and Courts Performance Review, Lawyers Assistance Program and Relations with Law School Faculty and Law Students.

2. Gus Chin reminded Commissioners that the September 22, 2006 the Commission meeting will be held at BYU and at the conclusion of the meeting, he would like to schedule a time for interaction with law school students. Nate Alder said that he, Steve Owens, and Gus Chin all went to the University of Utah to review their initiatives/programs on pro bono efforts. He reported that law school students paired up with lawyers to do pro bono work and that about 70 students are currently involved. Kevin Worthen said this opportunity is a much better first encounter with the Bar than the Admissions process. John Baldwin said the Bar is drafting a letter to send to law students informing them of the group benefits available to them such as the Bar Journal, regular e-bulletins, discounted CLE, discounted admission to conventions, etc., through the law student affiliated program.

3. David Bird reviewed the Commission calendar. He noted that the next Commission meeting is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. on Thursday March 9th, during Spring Convention and the April meeting will be held in Provo, Utah. He also invited Commissioners to attend the And Justice for All breakfast scheduled for February 9th beginning at 7:30 a.m. on the 5th floor of the Wells Fargo Building.

4. Danielle Davis Price invited the Commissioners to the 10th Anniversary dinner event for the Paralegal Division to be held on April 6, 2006; further details will be forthcoming.

5. David Bird said that while the proposal for malpractice insurance disclosure had previously been tabled, some items needed to be reviewed. He noted that Marsh would be conducting a presentation later that morning. John Baldwin said the Bar will continue to collect voluntary information such as where lawyers work and if they have malpractice insurance.
David said that a portion of OPC's annual report ties into this subject. He noted that 68% of the OPC's cases are violations of communication and diligence, with competence coming in second at 40%. He believes the Bar should provide more education in these areas which would decrease the cost of malpractice insurance and increase availability of insurance to members.

6. Gus Chin reported on the 75th Anniversary planning. He noted that each Commissioner should have received a list of former Commissioners and Bar Presidents and asked that they double-check these lists to make sure everyone has been included. He reported that celebration is scheduled for Rice Eccles Stadium and will include a short program along with a musical interlude.

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