Evelin Lagos, Intern

On Thursday, December 4, 2025, the Utah Center for Legal Inclusion (UCLI) and the LGBT and Allied Lawyers of Utah (LALU) co-hosted a CLE event on Legal Issues & Effective Advocacy for LGBTQ+ Clients. The session, held at the Utah Law and Justice Center, brought together attorneys and advocates from across Utah. Presented by Chris Wharton and Jess Couser, the program offered practical guidance, ethical insights, and an in-depth review of key statutes and landmark cases affecting LGBTQ+ clients in Utah. Attendees had the opportunity to engage with the presenters, ask questions, and gain strategies to better support LGBTQ+ individuals and families in legal settings.

Utah has a dynamic LGBTQ+ population. Roughly 3.7% of adults identify as LGBTQ+, and Salt Lake City has the state’s densest concentration at 5-6%. Approximately 40% of Utah’s LGBTQ+ individuals are raising children, compared to about 30% nationally, and Utah ranks #1 in the nation per capita for same-sex couples raising children. Nationwide, Utah ranks in the middle among states by LGBTQ+ population. These statistics underscore the importance of equitable legal protections for LGBTQ+ families.

Wharton and Couser emphasized Utah Rule of Professional Conduct 8.4(d), which prohibits lawyers from engaging in conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice. Attorneys and legal staff were given actionable guidance, and the session also reviewed landmark cases and statutes shaping LGBTQ+ rights in Utah and nationwide. Families come in many forms, yet outdated laws continue to create unnecessary burdens for LGBTQ+ families, particularly regarding parentage, surrogacy, adoption, and gender identity. The CLE session reviewed some of these and advised attorneys on how to best advocate for their clients.

Despite legal advancements, LGBTQ+ individuals face ongoing challenges. The presenters discussed everyday barriers, costs, discrimination, and restrictive laws, affect LGBTQ+ families’ ability to access justice, healthcare, and social services. Legal professionals must navigate these challenges carefully to advocate effectively and ethically. Protecting the legal rights of LGBTQ+ families ensures all children have the security, stability, and support they deserve.

Organizations such as the Utah Pride Center, Equality Utah, Encircle, Mama Dragons, Rebirth OB/GYN Health Center, and Rainbow Law Clinic provide essential support, legal guidance, and community connections for LGBTQ+ clients. Engaging with these organizations equips attorneys with insight into the lived experiences and needs of LGBTQ+ families. 

UCLI extends gratitude to presenters Chris Wharton and Jess Couser for their insightful presentation, as well as all attendees, partners, and sponsors who made this event possible, including the B. W. Bastian Foundation.. Special thanks to those who participated and for this wonderful educational session. The event highlighted the importance of a respectful and ethically sound legal advocacy in Utah.

Eli McCann, current president of LGBT and Allied Lawyers of Utah (LALU), introduces the event.

Jess Couser and Chris Wharton present on the topic of legal issues and effective advocacy for LGBTQ+ clients.

The Utah Minority Bar Association hosted its Annual Scholarship and Awards Banquet on November 17, 2025. It brought together leaders and attorneys, students, and community advocates committed to advancing inclusion within Utah’s legal profession. UMBA has continued its mission since its founding in 1991 of addressing the concerns and issues affecting racial and ethnic minorities in law.

UCLI was grateful to attend the banquet as a Bronze Sponsor, standing in partnership with UMBA in their impactful work. Christina Jepson and Erik Christiansen of Parsons Behle & Latimer joined UCLI staff and interns at the table, and everyone had a wonderful time throughout the evening. It was an evening for unity, progress, and, most importantly, storytelling. The award recipients gave touching and motivational speeches, many spoke to the responsibility carried by the legal community to advance justice and uplift underrepresented communities.

UCLI was especially honored to celebrate multiple individuals who previously participated in UCLI programs and who were recognized with scholarship awards: Emi Yamazaki, a Summer 2022 UCLI Program Development Intern; Noa Leituala, a 2024 alumnus of the UCLI & Kirton McConkie Pre-Law Fellowship; Gloria Aquino, a 2024 Legal Inclusion Fellow, and Naomi Botchway, a 2024 Legal Inclusion Fellow. As alumni continue to grow and be recognized by UMBA, it has been a proud moment for UCLI.

One of the most memorable moments of the evening was the powerful keynote address delivered by former UCLI Fiduciary Board Member Sadé Turner, who was honored by UMBA as the Distinguished Lawyer of the Year. She shared personal reflections: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. The adversity that we face in 2025 is minor compared to that which our UMBA ancestors faced. We owe it to the founding members to keep ourselves and the generations to keep going, to not panic, to not get caught up in the whipsaw, to stand firm in protecting individual freedoms, to vigorously defend the independence of the Utah judiciary, to vigorously defend its members from retaliatory political pressure.” Her words reminded everyone in the room why UMBA does what it does and continues its efforts to build a more representative legal community.

UMBA presented the following awards to recognize exceptional service, leadership and commitment:

• Juneteenth Fundraiser Award – Parsons Behle & Latimer
• Law Firm of the Year – Holland & Hart LLP
• Pete Suazo Community Service Award – Prof. Michalyn Steele
• Jimi Mitsunaga Excellence in the Law Award – Adam L. Crayk
• Corporate Counsel of the Year Award – JP Tarbutton
• Friend of UMBA Award – Barbara Melendez
• Judge Raymond Uno Lifetime Achievement Award – Judge Suchada P. Bazzelle
• Distinguished Lawyer of the Year / Keynote Speaker – Sadé Turner

Each of the awardees shared impactful remarks filled with gratitude, emphasizing mentorship, persistence, and community support as well. The banquet was uplifting, motivational, and a reminder that, together, attorneys can better provide service and support to their community. Many voiced their appreciation for an event where emerging and established leaders who shape Utah’s legal community could be celebrated.

Recognition for scholars such as Emi, Noa, Gloria, and Naomi also underlined the importance of collaboration between organizations like UCLI and UMBA in supporting pathways into the profession. 

UCLI would like to extend its thanks to the Utah Minority Bar Association for providing such a meaningful and beautifully organized banquet, to all of the sponsors and partners who helped make the evening possible, to the award recipients and speakers for sharing their wisdom and leadership, and to the UCLI alumni who continue to inspire our mission.

UCLI staff and interns at the event with Co-President Christina Jepson.

Sadé Turner delivering her keynote speech at the Utah Minority Bar Association 2025 Annual Scholarship and Awards Banquet.

Scholarship recipients smile for the camera after receiving their awards.

UCLI Co-President Melinda Bowen emceeing at the event.