1987-88 Annual Report
| Publication year | 1989 |
| Pages | 32 |
President's Message
Reed L. Martineau, J.
Viewed from a number of perspectives, the year just past was a truly exciting and historic one for the Utah State Bar. That is not to say the year passed without significant problems and difficulties or that many of these as well as others do not remain for future resolution. However, in terms of membership involvement, the Bar has never before been as active. In terms of Bar services, the staff has never before been as busy or effective. In terms of its responsibility for oversight and policy, the Bar Commission has never before been as significantly involved with as many important issues. In terms of direction, the Bar has never before been as well prepared to meet the challenges and opportunities of the future. In terms of facilities and staff, the Bar, very fortunately, has never before been as well situated to provide the many important services required by its charter.
Some of the highlights of the past year are Worth mentioning in this year-end report.
1. It was an outstanding year for our 32 sections and 24 committees. The very significant increases in membership involvement in these sections and committees reflect well on the overall health and vitality of the Bar.
2. Although the percentage of attendance at our Bar meetings falls well below that of some other western states, it was very pleasing to me that both the Annual Meeting in San Diego and the Mid-Winter Meeting at St. George set records well above previous attendance figures for those meetings. Each of those meetings was a huge success.
3. Judge Greene's committee on Post Law School Practical Training has almost completed its three-year task and an apprentice program for new lawyers began in August of this year. This program is the first of its kind in the nation and will be closely watched by other states.
4. A proposed rule for Mandatory Continuing Legal Education drafted by the Continuing Legal Education Committee under the co-chairmanship of Ellen Maycock and Don Zillman, and supported by the Bar Commission, is now being reviewed by the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court during the year also approved and implemented revised rules of Professional Conduct and revised Rules of Discipline.
5. Extensive and effective work was done by the Legislative Committee under the able chairmanship of past President Norm Johnson. An overdue judicial salary increase was passed, a task force to study tort and insurance reform was created by the legislature, a proposal to impose a sales tax on legal services, strongly opposed by the Bar, was not pursued (but will likely come up again) and a bill providing for unification of the district courts with their staffs was passed.
6. Both the Women Lawyers of Utah and the Young Lawyers Section gained increased stature and deserved recognition for their very significant contributions to Bar programs and activities.
7. Throughout the year our valuable contacts with bars in other states, particularly other western states, and with the American Bar Association were maintained and improved. These contacts demonstrate that in many of our activities and services we are among the leaders in the nation and are recognized as such.
8. Undoubtedly the most significant single project ever undertaken by the Utah Bar, or any other bar of comparable size, is the new Law and Justice Center. Ground was broken for the center in October 1987, and it was dedicated this past September. Wholly voluntary contributions of some $1, 200, 000 from some 1, 800 individual members of the Bar and nearly $900, 000 in contributions from charitable foundations and individuals, together with literally thousands of hours of volunteer time donated by Bar members all attest to the strength and quality of the commitment of Bar members and the community to this historic project. The center, which has already attracted national attention, will significantly change and add to the activities and programs of the Bar. Alternative dispute resolution is a concept whose time has come, and the Bar is in a position to lead this new avenue for settling disputes outside of the courts.
Looking back on the events of this year, I simply must express sincere appreciation to Bar staff for their willing and capable service to the Bar. I want to especially thank Steve Hutchinson and Barbara Bassett, who make the Bar and all of its activities and programs run smoothly and effectively. During the year each of them gave generously of their time and talents in connection with the layout, interior design and construction of the new center. The completed center reflects most favorably on the initiative and style of each of them.
Special commendation should go to each member of the Bar Commission for their outstanding contributions and selfless service to the Bar, its policies, programs and activities. Service on the Bar Commission takes hundreds of hours by each commissioner in the course of each year. The Bar is indeed fortunate to have such uniformly conscientious, public-minded, able and farsighted Bar members to fill these elected positions.
I also want to give a special thanks to the hundreds and hundreds of our members from all across the state for their enthusiastic support of and participation in the many Bar activities and projects.
On a concluding...
To continue reading
Request your trial