Marlee Jeppsen, Intern

The 2025 Sustaining Sponsorship

The Utah Center for Legal Inclusion (UCLI) is delighted to announce the 2025 Sustaining Sponsorship, through which organizations can support UCLI’s mission of advancing fairness, opportunity, and inclusion among Utah’s legal institutions. The Sustaining Sponsorship is an opportunity available to all interested legal employers and entities. It aims to develop and support strategic relationships between UCLI, the legal community, and students in Utah. Sustaining Sponsors will have exclusive opportunities to be recognized as inclusive leaders in the legal industry, along with yet distinct from the original Founding Sponsors. Through this Sponsorship, the community can come together to create a legal landscape that is representative and welcoming. Additional details about Sponsorship levels and benefits can be found here.

Parsons Behle & Latimer – 2025 Sustaining Sponsor

As one of the largest Utah-based law firms with over 200 attorneys, Parsons Behle & Latimer (Parsons) has long provided support to UCLI in many meaningful ways. Members of the firm were part of UCLI’s Founding Members and the firm also participated as a Founding Sponsor at the Diamond level in 2020. Alongside their efforts in maintaining UCLI Certification every year since 2020, the firm has also supported UCLI as an Impact Sponsor at its recent fundraising luncheons and provided invaluable support to the UCLI Pre-Law Fellowship in 2024 and 2025. “UCLI’s mission aligns closely with our firm’s values and long-standing commitment to building a more inclusive legal community in Utah,” says Parsons’ CEO and Chairperson Shawn C. Ferrin. “At Parsons, we believe the legal profession thrives when it draws on diverse viewpoints and lived experiences. Supporting UCLI’s programs is one of the ways we can help ensure the next generation of lawyers has access to opportunity and is prepared to strengthen the industry as a whole.”

Parsons has now become UCLI’s first 2025 Sustaining Sponsor at the Advocate Level. All of this financial and practical support translates directly into better outcomes for Utah pre-law and law students and a more inclusive legal community. Their generous support has allowed UCLI to administer its PLEDGE program (Promoting Legal Education to Diverse Groups Everywhere). Impactful initiatives within the PLEDGE program include the Meadowlark Mentoring program, which allows attorneys and law students to mentor elementary students; UCLI’s internship, ambassador, and pre-law fellowship programs, which allow pre-law students to be directly involved with UCLI’s work; and the Utah Law Student Mentoring program, which connects law students with attorney mentors to support their professional journey. 

The People Behind the Programming

Parsons’ attorney Andres Morelli is one of several Parsons attorneys who has dedicated his time and efforts to UCLI’s Meadowlark Mentoring program at Meadowlark Elementary. As part of the program, Morelli says he and other attorneys offer help and resources to students from assisting with school assignments to being a guide and role model to whom they can relate and talk about problems or issues they may be experiencing. Particularly over the past year, he says, students have been asking much more about the rule of law and if they’re safe. Often the students tell Morelli that they’ve never met an attorney outside of domestic matters and are very interested in learning about Morelli’s day-to-day responsibilities and career. As part of the Meadowlark Mentoring program, Parsons has invited students to visit its offices, take a tour and share lunch with other Parsons’ attorneys. Attorneys give presentations to the students, explaining what type of work their legal practices entail. Morelli says, “As attorneys, we have beliefs and principles we live by – to give back and to have integrity. For me, giving back to my community is where I feel satisfaction. Being able to talk to these kids and tell them you can rely on us, on your teachers or your resource officer – helping build those bonds with the kids and contributing to something bigger than yourself. That is rewarding.”  

As Parsons Behle & Latimer “strives each day to cultivate an environment of… inclusion at every level,” they support UCLI’s efforts to do the same. Together, our efforts facilitate increased inclusion in the legal field across the state of Utah. Parsons’ President Cory D. Sinclair says, “We are proud to continue our support of UCLI as a Sustaining Sponsor. At Parsons, we see firsthand how the legal industry is stronger and more innovative when it reflects the many voices and perspectives of our community. By investing in UCLI’s efforts, we are not only supporting students and future attorneys but also helping to build a legal profession in the Intermountain Region that is more inclusive, collaborative and representative of the clients and communities we serve.”

Parsons sees great value in pursuing the goals of fairness and opportunity for Utahns of all backgrounds and in supporting UCLI as it works towards a similar mission. As UCLI Co-President and Parsons Shareholder Christina Jepson stated, “I am so proud of the work Parsons and UCLI have done together to promote opportunity in the legal field in Utah. The rule of law is most successful when it represents all the perspectives from our community.” By supporting UCLI’s efforts to remove barriers in the legal field, the firm helps ensure that the legal profession better reflects all of the communities that it serves and ultimately achieves more just and fair outcomes. 

Become a Sustaining Sponsor

UCLI extends its sincere gratitude to Parsons Behle & Latimer for their commitment to fostering inclusion in Utah’s legal community.

Learn more about becoming a Sustaining Sponsor or contact us directly at to support UCLI’s mission.

UCLI Fiduciary Board Co-Chair Justice Christine M. Durham and Executive Director Kaitlyn Pieper enjoy lunch with the Parsons’ team: CEO and Chairperson Shawn C. Ferrin, Chief People Officer Nicole G. Farrell, President Cory D. Sinclair, and Shareholder Abigail M. Dizon-Maughan.

Parsons Behle & Latimer is recognized as an Impact Sponsor at the UCLI Fundraiser Luncheon on March 27, 2025.

Parsons’ Associate Andres (Andy) F. Morelli mentoring a student at Meadowlark Elementary School in 2024.

Parsons’ Associate Andres (Andy) F. Morelli mentoring students at Meadowlark Elementary School in 2025.

Mountain Mediation brings people together to prevent and resolve conflict through a peaceful, dialogue-first approach. At the heart of their mission, according to Director Gretchen Lee, is a commitment to “access to justice for everybody in [the] community”. Guided by the belief that open and respectful communication is key to navigating differences, Mountain Mediation helps individuals find common ground and sustainable solutions.

From neighborhood disagreements to civic tensions to broader systemic challenges, Mountain Mediation creates spaces where people feel heard, understood, and empowered. Their efforts help create a vibrant, compassionate community in which individuals are equipped to engage meaningfully in civic life.

The organization’s work is anchored by three core programs: mediation services, landlord-tenant eviction prevention, and the Let’s Talk communication initiative. Across all areas, they emphasize access by ensuring services are available regardless of financial means or language barriers.

In 2025, Mountain Mediation has placed particular emphasis on its eviction prevention program, prioritizing education as a central strategy. To expand awareness and understanding of Utah’s housing laws, the organization engaged in outreach across Summit and Wasatch counties. They promoted a series of short, accessible videos that explains key legal concepts related to renting in Utah. This information empowers both tenants and landlords to better understand their rights and options. “At the end of the day, we are a community,” reflects Lee. “We want to make sure that everybody has access to these important services.”

By promoting legal clarity and respectful dialogue, Mountain Mediation helps improve communication and enhance respect. UCLI supports their efforts on an annual basis through a donation that goes directly to an intern who actively implements Mountain Mediation goals and programs and who has a long-term interest in a legal career. Together with partners like UCLI, Mountain Mediation is planting the seeds of a peaceful, dialogue-driven future – one conversation at a time. If you are interested in donating to support this important cause, please reach out to . 

Mountain Mediation Outreach Coordinator, Joanna, and Outreach Consultant Sofía table at the Summit County Safety Fair (ft. some special guests – their babies!).

Joanna poses with representatives from the People’s Health Clinic and Peace House at a Mobile Pantry event hosted by the Christian Center of Park City.

Joanna shares information about Mountain Mediation’s landlord & tenant services at a local Park City School’s Parents Evening.

Valeria speaks with a potential client at a Mobile Pantry event. This outreach is a great opportunity to meet tenants where they live and address issues before they arise!