General Information
The Utah Legal Inclusion Champion Award celebrates an individual or organization in Utah’s legal community who leads with purpose and compassion to expand inclusion and opportunity in the law. This award recognizes a person or entity whose vision, action, and example inspire others to build a more equitable and welcoming legal profession for people of all backgrounds.
Award Criteria
- Leadership – demonstrates exceptional efforts to advance inclusion and opportunity in Utah’s legal profession.
- Action – builds partnerships across sectors, practice areas, or communities to promote inclusive practices; contributes to pathway programs or mentorship for underrepresented groups; conducts community engagement or pro bono work advancing justice.
- Innovation – employs creative or forward-thinking approaches to enhancing inclusion (programs, policies, mentorship, advocacy, etc.).
- Inspiration – serves as a role model in professionalism, empathy, and inclusive leadership.
Award Nomination Process
Members of Utah’s legal community may provide suggestions for award recipient candidates by email to throughout the course of the year. The award recipient in January or February, and celebrated at the UCLI Fundraiser Luncheon in the spring.
Past Awards
2026
In 2026, the Intermountain Health Legal Department was selected as the inaugural recipient of the Utah Legal Inclusion Award. Intermountain Health was selected in recognition of their meaningful action and innovative efforts to promote a more welcoming legal profession, including through the implementation of the Utah Legal Inclusion Fellowship in collaboration with Kirton McConkie and UCLI. The Fellowship is a truly impactful program that has been improving professional opportunities for law students since 2022. Intermountain Health’s engagement in initiatives such as the UCLI Certification Program, the UCLI Sustaining Sponsorship, and many mentorship programs have also been meaningful and inspiring to others in the legal community.
UCLI had the opportunity to honor Intermountain Health’s Legal Department at the annual Fundraiser Luncheon: Building Impact Together. This event was held on April 22, 2026 at the Salt Lake Marriott Downtown at City Creek. In addition to providing the award to Intermountain Health’s Chief Legal Officer, Greg Matis, UCLI also premiered a brief film featuring members of the team and highlighting the efforts that led to this recognition.
UCLI is deeply grateful for Intermountain Health Legal Department’s continued engagement and leadership within Utah’s legal community, and congratulate them on the service-oriented, people-focused work they do.
