The Utah State Bar hosted its largest Fall Forum in its nearly 95-year history. The two-day event took place at the Little America Hotel in downtown Salt Lake City on Thursday, Nov. 14, and Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. This year’s theme, “Expanding Skills, Building Relationships, and Engaging Our Courts,” encapsulates the essence of lawyering in Utah. Attendees immersed themselves in a blend of CLE sessions, networking opportunities, and engaging discussions to inspire and inform their legal practice.
Day One: November 14, 2024
The forum kicked off with registration and the opening of its Exhibitor Hall. Following the welcoming remarks and awards presentation, the day transitions into thought-provoking CLE sessions.
- Lunchtime CLE: A panel of Utah’s affinity bar leaders explores how to strengthen community relationships and maximize professional memberships.
- Awards: NLTP Outstanding Mentor Award, Ed Havas
- NLTP Outstanding Mentor Award, Patrick Burt
- Community Member of the Year, Kim Russo
- Keynote Session: Noella Sudbury, Founder & CEO of Rasa Legal, delves into the transformative impact of expungement on individuals and communities.
- Legislative Insights: A panel of lawyer legislators shared key updates and insights on the upcoming 2025 legislative session. The web address provided by Sen. Todd Weiler encouraged lawyers to stay up to date about interim topics discussed by lawmakers to know what may come in the form of legislation in the next legislative session, https://le.utah.gov/lrgc/home.html.
The day wrapped up at leaving participants with a robust start to their MCLE credits and valuable insights into Utah’s legal landscape.
Day Two: November 15, 2024
Friday began early with a continental breakfast and networking in the Exhibitor Hall. The day offered a full slate of engaging sessions and activities:
- Morning Keynote CLE: Judge Dianna Gibson and Jonathan Puente presented on the judiciary’s commitment to fairness and accountability in Utah courts.
- Constitutional and Legislative Updates: Another session with Utah lawyer legislators examined healthy conflict and civility in public service work.
- Well-Being CLE: The Well-Being Committee discussed strategies to enhance professional satisfaction and community engagement.
Lunch featured the District Court Presiding Judges’ Panel, moderated by Utah State Bar President-Elect Kim Cordova. She announced the return of the summer convention in Sun Valley, Idaho in August 2026, in part of commemorating the Bar’s 95th anniversary before CLE sessions that provided insights from key judicial leaders across the state.
Breakout Sessions and Beyond
The afternoon featured a diverse range of breakout sessions tailored to practitioners’ interests, including:
- Cross-cultural communication in preparation for the 2034 Winter Games.
- Fiduciary responsibilities in trust administration.
- Live-action trial academy demonstrations.
- Mediation strategies and best practices.
With six MCLE credits available on Friday (pending approval), participants could earn a total of nine MCLE credits across the two-day event.
Join us next year for the 2025 Fall Forum to deepen your skills, expand your network, and engage with Utah’s vibrant legal community. Let’s continue shaping the future of law in our state—together.
