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Abby Robison, Intern

First Annual UCLI Fundraiser Luncheon

By News

On March 24, 2022, the Utah Center for Legal Inclusion held its First Annual Fundraising Luncheon at the Salt Lake Marriott Downtown at City Creek. Over 200 guests attended the event, representing large and small law firms across the state, Utah’s courts, and other organizations. It was wonderful to be together in person as members of the legal community and to hear from MCs Justice Paige Petersen and Kristen Olsen, as well as from the many excellent speakers.

The program began with an introduction to UCLI’s mission statement, partnerships, and current programs, including the Certification Program, PLEDGE, and Tracking Progress initiatives. Several guest speakers shared information about UCLI’s current mentorship programs and their positive effects. Mr. John Arthur, 2021 Utah Teacher of the Year, shared the progress and development of his sixth grade students at Meadowlark Elementary School, who have been mentored each week by volunteer lawyers to help them with their critical thinking and writing skills. Arin Perkins, a 1L at the University of Utah’s S. J. Quinney College of Law, and Wayne Latu, a 3L at Brigham Young University’s J. Reuben Clark College of Law, spoke about their experiences as law students from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds, and how the Utah Law Student Mentoring program has encouraged them and helped them make meaningful connections in the legal community. Guests then heard from the keynote speaker, Justice Christine Durham, who served as a justice of the Utah Supreme Court from 1982 to 2017 and as Chief Justice from 2002 to 2012. She spoke of her experiences as one of the first women in Utah’s legal community, the challenges she had to face, and the progress in the areas of diversity, equity, and inclusion that has been made and is yet to be made in the state. You may view a recording of her keynote address here. We are grateful for her attendance, her inspiring presentation, and her life-long service to the people of Utah. 

At the close of this event, UCLI announced a new scholarship in Justice Durham’s honor: the Justice Christine M. Durham Equity Scholarship. This scholarship is intended to facilitate the legal education of an individual who shows a demonstrated commitment to and great potential for pushing forward the cause of justice, equity, and inclusiveness in Utah’s legal profession. Someone who, like Justice Durham, will make the legal field a better place for all who follow. We invite you to donate towards this scholarship fund here

The Luncheon also featured a silent auction with over thirty items; nearly $4,000 was raised from the auction items alone, and we are very grateful for the kind support of everyone involved. The silent auction and ticketing proceeds will contribute to the UCLI programming that benefits current and future lawyers in our state. UCLI is grateful to all the guests that attended, spoke, and donated at this year’s luncheon, and looks forward to future events and the progress that will continue to be made toward change, justice, and equal representation within the legal profession in Utah.

Thank you to our Event Sponsors

Ballard Spahr

Brigham Young University J. Reuben Clark Law School

Dentons

Disability Law Center

DOJ

Dorsey Whitney

Fabian VanCott

Greenberg Traurig

Jones Waldo

Keller Jolley Preece

Kirton McConkie

Lowenstein Sandler

Mountain Mediation Center

Parr Brown

Parsons Behle

Ray Quinney & Nebeker

Rocky Mountain Advisory

Snell & Wilmer

Strong & Hanni

TraskBritt

Utah Bar

Utah Legal Services

Women Lawyers of Utah

University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law

Young Lawyers Division

Zimmerman Booher

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