President's Message
| Publication year | 2014 |
| Pages | 10 |
| Citation | Vol. 27 No. 6 Pg. 10 |
November, 2014
So What's Happening at the Bar these Days?
James D. Gilson, J.
Frequently I'm asked, "What's happening at the Bar these days?" After clarifying that they are asking about the Utah State Bar, and not some local drinking establishment, I try to give an appropriate answer.
Like any self-respecting lawyer, I generally don't give out more information than is necessary. Most people, especially my non-lawyer friends (I have a few) ask that question just to make conversation. I could tell them almost anything, and they just smile and nod politely
But, when a fellow Bar member asks me what the Bar is doing lately, I need to be much more careful how I answer. After all, I could be subjected to rigorous cross-examination by a fellow card-carrying, dues-paying member. To lawyers, I have many answers, long and short. This article is written so that when someone wants a longer answer, and I don't have time to give one, I can simply refer him or her to it.
I'll get to the point. A lot of good things are happening at the Bar these days. If you don't believe me, check out the Bar's website: www.utahbar.org. The Bar's website contains a lot of information about everything associated with the Bar, plus helpful links to many resources, including attorney directories, court rules, upcoming conventions, CLE programs, job postings, ethics opinions, and group benefits. The Bar's 2013-14 Annual Report of Operations can be found under the Bar Operations tab on the home page. Bar staff is working on making the website even more user-friendly and navigable.
Two specific Bar benefits deserve and need highlighting: the Blomquist Hale Lawyer Assistance Program and Casemaker legal research. Both benefits are very helpful and completely free to Bar members, yet both are underutilized.
Blomquist Hale Counseling Services
As a member of the Bar, you and your eligible dependent family members have immediate access to trained counselors at Blomquist Hale for face-to-face, confidential counseling without any fee, insurance forms, or other documentation to worry about. There are no co-pays or deductibles. The Bar pays a set fee each month to cover the cost of all services. The Bar provides this benefit because dealing effectively with personal problems is one of the best ways to prevent ethical violations, reduce disciplinary actions, and protect the public. Counselors are...
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