Skip to main content
Category

News

Celebrating the Life and Legal Career of Judge Raymond Uno

By News

The Utah Center for Legal Inclusion (UCLI) joins other organizations in Utah and nationally to celebrate the life and career of Judge Raymond Sonji Uno. Judge Uno passed away at the age of 93 on March 8, 2024 at the Veterans Administration hospital in Salt Lake City. Judge Uno was a celebrated attorney and judge. He was also a strong community and civil rights advocate. 

Judge Uno was born in the backseat of a taxi cab in Ogden, UT in 1930, and was named after the taxi driver. His family moved to California in 1938. They lived there until the outbreak of World War II when they were incarcerated in Japanese internment camps, first in California and then in Wyoming. His father passed away from heart problems at the age of 48 while in the Wyoming camp. This time had a profound effect on the trajectory of Judge Uno’s life. In an interview later in his life he explained, “My father was an American citizen, he was a veteran of World War I, active in the American Legion — to me, a very loyal American. That was something I really didn’t understand until I went to college and started taking classes in constitutional law. and going through law school and going through all the different kinds of cases that something like this could happen in America to Americans and that is something I have been working on so it wouldn’t happen to anybody else.” 

After World War II the Uno family chose to move back to Ogden. Judge Uno volunteered to join the Army and served in the 441 Counterintelligence Corps in Tokyo during the Korean War. After being honorably discharged he went to the University of Utah to receive his Bachelors and JD. After graduation he worked for a time in juvenile court before joining the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office, where he was the first minority ever hired. He then served for a time in the Utah Attorney General’s Office before being appointed to the Salt Lake bench in 1976. In 1983 Judge Uno ran for a State judicial position, and won. This was one of the last judicial elections held in Utah before they switched to the current appointment system. Judge Uno worked his way up to the Utah 3rd District Court. He was the first minority judge in the State of Utah. He served on the bench for 25 years.

Judge Uno was instrumental in the creation and leadership of organizations in Utah and nationally. He was one of the founders of the Utah Minority Bar Association (UMBA), and served as the group’s first president. He was also active in the Asian Chamber of Commerce and the Utah Citizens Committee for Civil Rights. He also served for a time as the president of the National Japanese American Citizens League.

Judge Uno was a passionate advocate for his clients and for the people he knew he was training to carry on his legacy. When his son asked him why he still worked so hard in his retirement years, Judge Uno replied, “Because if they didn’t need my help they wouldn’t ask. If they ask, I need to help.”

UCLI is grateful for Judge Uno and his contemporaries who took the hard path to make our work possible today. Thank you Judge Uno for your life of service and dedication. Your legacy is truly one which will inspire current and future generations of Utahns to reach their full potential while striving to improve the lives of others in our homes and communities. 

The Uno family will be holding a celebration of life for Judge Uno on Saturday, April 20 starting at 9:30 am at the University of Utah Eccles Alumni House, 155 S. Central Campus Drive, Salt Lake City.

 

Sources:

Salt Lake Tribune: https://www.sltrib.com/news/2024/03/11/utah-judge-raymond-uno-whose-life/

The Rafu Shimpo: https://rafu.com/2024/03/raymond-s-uno-93-civil-rights-leader-utahs-first-minority-judge/

 

The Pre-Law Fellowship Has Begun!

By News

On Saturday March 9, 2024, UCLI held the first Pre-Law Fellowship Workshop at the Kirton McConkie offices in Salt Lake City. The 2024 UCLI & Kirton McConkie Pre-Law Fellowship is designed to diversify the field of law in Utah by providing Fellows with access to a paid LSAT course, mentorship, individual consultations with a law school application consultant, and reimbursements for expenses related to the LSAT and applying to law school. Fellows will participate in an enriching monthly workshop that focuses on law school and their future legal careers.  We were delighted to host our cohort of 10 highly accomplished Fellows at our Saturday workshop, where they were introduced to the program and able to meet some key individuals who helped make this Fellowship possible. 

After Fellowship program coordinators Kaitlyn Pieper and Jon Wayas gave an overview of the Fellowship and discussed UCLI’s mission of equity and inclusion, Kirton McConkie’s administrative coordinator Ken Olson gave a short presentation on the firm and their contributions to Utah’s legal profession. At Kirton McConkie, nearly half of all hired attorneys speak a second language and represent a wide range of clients. The Fellows’ monthly workshops are at a different venue each time, either at a Utah law firm or law school, exposing them to a variety of legal professionals and environments. If your firm would like to host these Fellows in 2024, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Following a get-to-know-you activity, we had the pleasure of hearing from leading LSAT instructor at Ace Test Preparation, Brent Dunn, who gave the Fellows an overview of the LSAT and included practical tips and tricks for approaching the exam. Lastly, Fellows got to have lunch with several of Kirton McConkie’s lawyers who gave helpful insights to law school and the life of an attorney. UCLI is elated to watch the Fellows flourish in their future endeavors through the Pre-Law Fellowship. 

We would like to thank Ken Olson and Kirton McConkie marketing director Brooke Wright for providing the venue, for attending the workshop, and for all of their contributions to this Fellowship. Thank you to Brent Dunn for presenting and offering his expertise on the LSAT. We also extend our gratitude to our sponsors Kirton McConkie, University of Utah Office of General Counsel, LSAC DEI Pipeline, Utah Bar Foundation, and Family Law Executive Committee Bar Section for their invaluable contributions to this program. 

The ALL Rise Utah Program Holds Opening Banquet

By News

The All Rise Utah Program held an opening banquet on Tuesday, February 15, 2024 at the Loveland Living Planet Aquarium. The event was well attended by almost 30 Utah judges from all levels of judiciary, including all five of the justices from the Utah Supreme Court, as well as dozens of law students from both Utah law schools. They were joined by practicing attorneys from supporting firms and organizations. 

The event was a chance for students to hear from Chief Justice Durrant of the Utah Supreme Court, and then to network with judges and attorneys. Chief Justice Durrant reiterated the Utah State Courts’ commitment to rooting out bias among judges, and the great need to attract well qualified judges who reflect the increasingly diverse demographics of the State of Utah. 

The All Rise Utah program is an ongoing collaborative effort directed by the Utah State Courts, to build a pipeline of students and attorneys who will one day seek judicial appointments in Utah. The program helps law students and attorneys begin to see themselves as future judges. It will also provide mentorship opportunities at both the law school and attorney level to help individuals prepare for and apply for judicial openings. All Rise Utah is led by Judge Diana Gibson of the Utah Third District Court, and Jon Puente, Director of the Utah State Court’s Office of Fairness and Accountability. Supporting organizations include: the Utah State Bar, Utah Minority Bar Association (UMBA), LGBT and Allied Lawyers of Utah (LALU), Women Lawyers of Utah (WLU), The Young Lawyers Division of the Utah State Bar (YLD), The Disability Law Center (DLC), and the Utah Center for Legal Inclusion (UCLI). 

We look forward to continuing to help plan and support events for both law students and attorneys for All Rise Utah. If you have questions or would like to be involved in the program please contact Jonathan Puente, the Director of the Utah State Court’s Office of Fairness and Accountability,

A group of law students pose with Judge Sanchez of the Utah Third District Court.

2024 UCLI & Kirton McConkie Pre-Law Fellowship

By News

We are pleased to announce that the 2024 UCLI & Kirton McConkie Pre-Law Fellowship is launching this March. The first cohort will include ten students or recent graduates from Utah who are seriously interested in the study of law. The Fellowship includes an enrichment series of ten seminars on topics related to law school, the legal field, and law school application; access to a designated attorney mentor and law student mentor; a fully paid LSAT course; and reimbursement of any related expenses, such as law school applications, LSAT test fees, and travel to attend the seminars. The first seminar of the enrichment series will be held in March 2024; they will then be held on a monthly basis through December 2024. 

The ultimate intent of the Pre-Law Fellowship is to increase the number of individuals from historically underrepresented groups in Utah’s legal profession. The Fellowship is designed to provide a pathway for people to practice law in the state of Utah. It is aimed at facilitating opportunities for undergraduate students or recent college graduates who seriously plan to pursue legal education and who have a long-term goal of practicing law in the state of Utah. Pre-Law Fellows are expected to participate in the monthly seminars in-person or remotely, participate in the free LSAT preparation course offered through the Fellowship, apply to law school by the end of 2025, take the LSAT examination at least once by December 2024, and participate in intake and exit surveys. 

We warmly welcome the ten participants in the first ever cohort of this program! You may read more about each Fellow and their impressive accomplishments below.

Thank you to our incredible sponsors who are making this program possible:

Kirton McConkie, Champion Sponsor

LSAC DEI Pipeline

Utah Bar Foundation

University of Utah Office of General Counsel, Supporting Sponsor

Family Law Executive Committee Bar Section of the Utah State Bar

 

Camden Alexander

Camden Alexander will graduate from the University of Utah in the Class of 2024 with two Bachelor’s degrees in Sociology and Criminology. She has experience in environmental research, journalism and social activism, and hopes to utilize her skills as an effective lawyer. She plans to attend a law school in the Northeast, but will return to the roots she has established here in Salt Lake City. Upon graduating from law school, Camden intends to serve as a public defender before eventually becoming a prosecutor for the state of Utah.

Camden Alexander

 

Tala Alnasser

Tala is an Arab-Muslim student at BYU from Jordan and Palestine. She is a Public Relations and French double major and is minoring in sociology. Tala is deeply committed to bridge building and fostering belonging in her community. She has moved more than six different times, and speaks Arabic, English, and French fluently. In her free time, she reads, writes, hosts cook nights and plays chess. She has played for Jordan’s Olympic Chess Team and plays with chess hustlers every time she travels. Tala is a huge advocate for interfaith and cross cultural experiences and deeply believes in the power of proximity as a medium for social progress.

Tala Alnasser

 

Aranza Castillo

Aranza Castillo is a proud first generation immigrant from Mexico. She graduated from the University of Utah in Business Management in 2021. As she navigated the higher education system she started learning about the different systems of oppression and noticed how they manifested in our communities. Through her personal experiences of seeing how systematic barriers have impacted underrepresented communities, it helped develop her passion for social justice. Aranza has always looked for roles that allow her to empower, educate, and support her community. While in school she was involved in various programs aimed at supporting first generation students. Aranza is excited and grateful to be part of the fellowship, and to be able to get closer to her goal of becoming an attorney.

Aranza Castillo

 

Iradukunda Esperance

Iradukunda Esperance is a remarkable fourth-year student at the University of Utah, where she is pursuing a double major in Political Science and Gender Studies. Originally from Kigoma, Tanzania, Iradukunda migrated to the United States at a young age and has since been dedicated to her academic pursuits.

With a deep passion for the legal field, Iradukunda is committed to exploring the intersections of law, politics, and gender. Her diverse background and experiences have fueled her desire to advocate for justice and equality in society. She hopes to make a meaningful impact in the legal profession in the future.

Iradukunda Esperance

 

Sophie Gordon

Sophie Kay Gordon is a Utah native and recent graduate of Brigham Young University with a degree in English Literature, and minors in Global Women’s Studies and Asian Studies. Passionate about LGBTQ+ visibility and progress, Sophie served as a Committee Chair with BYU USGA, planning activities and leading efforts to advocate for queer students. Since graduating, Sophie has worked as a legal assistant in the litigation section at Dentons Durham Jones Pinegar. In her free time, Sophie enjoys writing, collecting western-inspired trinkets, putting together a good outfit, and traveling with family and friends. Sophie looks forward to being involved with UCLI and applying to law school this fall.

Sophie Gordon

 

Fagasoaia-Iliganoa Leituala

Fagasoaia-Iliganoa Leituala, or Noa for short, is currently in his fourth year of pursuing a mechanical engineering degree at Brigham Young University. Having lived everywhere from Tonga to Utah to Texas, he has had the opportunity to meet and work with people of all backgrounds and beliefs. Noa plans to be the first attorney in his family and one of the first Polynesian patent attorneys in the nation. Whenever he is not learning about mechatronics or calculus, he loves spending time with his family, finding a fun new restaurant with his wife, or volunteering at youth football camps.

Fagasoaia-Iliganoa Leituala

 

Audrey Pozernick

Audrey Pozernick is a Philosophy and Honors Political Science major at the University of Utah. Audrey is a One Refugee scholar alumni and cares about advancing racial justice and access. She aims to attend law school to explore her interests in healthcare policy, law, and ethics.

Audrey Pozernick

 

Victoria Roberts

Victoria is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science at Utah Valley University, she has also been trying to gain practical legal experience through working as a paralegal for the past two years. As a first generation college student, she has had to navigate completing her education while balancing real-world work. In addition to her studies and paralegal role, she volunteers time as a translator for immigration attorneys. Through this work, she has been able to support immigrants and develop language skills. She also works as a research assistant with the Center for Constitutional Studies at UVU. As a political science major, she is deeply interested in policy, law, and social change. She has high hopes to apply her education and experiences to a career in law after graduation. She is a proud first generation college student and looks forward to all the opportunities ahead as she completes her degree. She is extremely grateful for this opportunity and looks forward to taking full advantage of this fellowship.

Victoria Roberts

 

Ruby Vejar

As a first Generation student Senator at Weber State University, Ruby has reached many lives through art and service. Ruby is involved in almost any club you can think of because she likes to stay busy. She works at Center for Community Engaged Learning, serves as a college mentor, became a USHEAN board member specializing in accessibility and poverty issues, is an Newman Fellow for Utah and was asked to serve on the UServeUtah college Council. Additionally, she is a 7 for 17 award winner and has had the honor of being a panelist in many symposiums around Utah.

Ruby Vejar

 

Bubba Walker

Bubba Walker is studying Experience Design and Non-Profit Management at Brigham Young University. He is a member of the BYU Men’s Lacrosse team and enjoys volunteering with local, youth lacrosse programs. Bubba looks forward to attending law school in Fall 2025.

Bubba Walker

 

*This project received funding from the Law School Admission Council, Inc. (LSAC).  The opinions and conclusions contained in this document are the opinions and conclusions of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the position or policy of LSAC.

Donor Spotlight: Larry H. and Gail Miller Family Foundation

By News

The Utah Center for Legal Inclusion (UCLI) has many ambitious goals and important programs, but without community support from volunteers, legal professionals, and incredible donors and foundations we couldn’t make any of it a reality.

UCLI is proud to be a first-time award recipient of the Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation. Founded in 2007, the Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation aims to continue the philanthropic spirit exemplified by Larry and Gail Miller for future generations. The Miller Family Foundation supports programs that enrich lives and communities in the areas of health and medicine, shelter and food security, education and skill development, jobs and economic self-reliance, and cultural and spiritual enrichment. UCLI and the Miller Family Foundation share a common vision for a state where all individuals have access to educational opportunities, regardless of their background, and UCLI was honored to be one of the recipients of their grant awards in December 2023.

 Like the Miller Family Foundation, UCLI is dedicated to facilitating educational advancement for Utahns from all walks of life. Thanks to this grant, UCLI will be able to continue its PLEDGE Program (Promoting Legal Education to Diverse Groups Everywhere). In 2024, these funds will allow us to work with K-12, undergraduate, and law students – mentoring, encouraging, and providing meaningful fellowships and scholarships. We are excited to continue this important work and are grateful for the donors who make it possible. Thank you, Miller Family Foundation, for the meaningful contributions you make in the community and for your generous support of UCLI’s mission.

Congratulations to the 2024 Legal Inclusion Fellows

By News

We are pleased to announce the 2024 Legal Inclusion Fellows, Gloria Aquino, a first-year law student from the University of Utah’s S.J. Quinney College of Law, and Naomi Botchway, a first-year law student at Brigham Young University’s J. Reuben Clark Law School. This year marks the third year of this wonderful collaboration between Intermountain Health, Kirton McConkie and the Utah Center for Legal Inclusion (UCLI).

The Fellowship provides a place in Kirton McConkie’s summer associate program for two law students, one for each Utah law school. Fellows receive a tuition award furnished by Intermountain Health. They have the opportunity throughout the summer to observe and learn from Intermountain’s legal department. The Fellowship plays a significant role in UCLI’s efforts to increase opportunities for law students in Utah to thrive and find meaningful connections within the legal community.

This year we saw a large and impressive field of applicants. After careful consideration, Gloria and Naomi were selected as Fellows. Learn more about these two incredible students here:

Gloria Aquino

Gloria is a native Utahn from Salt Lake County and the proud daughter of two Mexican immigrants. She is a first-generation college student and earned her degree in Health, Society, and Policy from the University of Utah in 2022. During her undergraduate years she developed a love for public service and completed an internship with the Hinckley Institute at the Utah Legislature. As a 1L at the S.J. Quinney College of Law, she has continued to be involved in her community. She is serving as a 1L representative for the Minority Law Caucus and has been selected to serve on the S.J. Quinney inaugural Student Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Advisory Board. Gloria hopes to use her law degree to serve as an advocate for underrepresented communities and aspires to one day sit on the bench.

Gloria Aquino

 

Naomi Botchway

Naomi Botchway is currently a first-year student at BYU Law School. Originally born in Salt Lake City and raised in Rose Park, she has deep connections to other parts of the world. Her father is from Ghana and her mother is from Tonga. Growing up as the child of immigrants, Naomi was inspired by her family’s remarkable journey to the United States and the sacrifices they made for her to be in the position she is in today. Naomi has chosen the path of law to be a voice and advocate for her community in the legal field. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from BYU in August 2022. During her undergraduate years, she actively contributed as a member of the presidency for the Women of Color Club and served as a Research Assistant, researching gender gaps in different political systems. Post-graduation, Naomi was a compliance analyst for Goldman Sachs. In this role, she not only honed her skills as a professional but also developed a passion for comprehending the intricate intersection between corporations and the legal landscape.

Naomi Botchway

Holland & Hart Hosts the Opening Social for the 2023-24 cohort of the Utah Law Student Mentoring Program

By News

The opening social of the 2023-2024 Utah Law Student Mentoring program was hosted by Holland & Hart in their downtown Salt Lake City offices on January 25, 2024. The event provided a chance for mentors and mentees to meet as well as to mingle and meet other program participants. We would like to thank everyone who came from near and far to be at the event. We would also like to thank Holland & Hart for hosting the event, and for their continued support of the ULSM program.

The ULSM program is an expansion of the mentoring program originally started as a collaboration between the Utah Minority Bar Association (UMBA) and Holland & Hart. The program would pair each UMBA annual scholarship winner with an attorney mentor from Holland & Hart. In 2020, Holland & Hart allowed UCLI to take over and expand the program. UMBA scholarship winners are still automatically entered into the program. They are joined by any other law students who register to be part of the program. Mentors are recruited from the wider membership of the Utah State Bar. As much as possible, and when requested, mentees are paired with mentors based on several preferences including area of law interests. 

This is the fourth cohort under UCLI’s stewardship. Please contact UCLI Associate Director, Jon Wayas () if you are interested in joining the program for the 2024-2025 school year. 

Donor Spotlight: B.W. Bastian Foundation

By News

The Utah Center for Legal Inclusion (UCLI) is unable to accomplish its aims without the community volunteering their time and expertise and without incredible donors and foundations who support our work financially.

For the second year running, UCLI is privileged to receive a grant award from the B.W. Bastian Foundation. The B.W. Bastian Foundation strives to build community and understanding by supporting local and national institutions, specifically supporting the arts and educational outreach. They place a strong commitment on programs and organizations that benefit, encourage, and preserve the rights of individuals and promote equality for the LGBTQ+ community. The B.W. Bastian Foundation supports organizations who wholeheartedly embrace the principle of equality. UCLI and the B.W. Bastian Foundation share a common vision for a legal profession that is more inclusive of LGBTQ+ individuals, and UCLI is honored to be one of the recipients of their grant awards in 2024.

Like the B. W. Bastian Foundation, UCLI is dedicated to preserving and enhancing the rights, equality, and fair treatment of the members of the LGBTQ+ community. Thanks to this grant, UCLI will be able to continue its LGBTQ+ outreach initiative with the PLEDGE Program (Promoting Legal Education to Diverse Groups Everywhere). In 2024, these funds will allow us to continue to support networking events for LGBTQ+ students at both of Utah’s law schools, provide CLE offerings to attorneys on the topics of inclusion, and create resources that will allow for better community engagement. We are excited to continue this important work and are grateful for the donors who make it possible. Thank you, B.W. Bastian Foundation, for the meaningful contributions you make in the community and for your generous support of UCLI’s mission.

Donor Spotlight: Utah Bar Foundation

By News

The Utah Center for Legal Inclusion (UCLI) cannot work towards its goals without the support of incredible foundations, donors, and partners.

One of UCLI’s very first supporters was the Utah Bar Foundation (UBF). Founded in 1963, UBF was created in order to promote legal education and increase the knowledge and awareness of the law in Utah, assist in providing legal services to lower income Utahns, improve the administration of justice, and serve other worthwhile law-related public purposes. UCLI and UBF share a common vision for the legal profession, and in 2024 UCLI is honored to be a fifth-year recipient of a significant UBF grant award.
Thanks to this generous grant, UCLI will be able to continue its PLEDGE Program (Promoting Legal Education to Diverse Groups Everywhere) and serve a new generation of aspiring attorneys. In 2024, these funds will allow us to continue our mentoring programs, scholarships and fellowships, and outreach, and allow for us to launch new programming: the Pre-Law Fellowship and the Street Law high school outreach program. We are excited to continue this important work and are grateful for the donors who make it possible. Thank you, Utah Bar Foundation, for the great work you do for our organization and so many others in the community!

2023 Community Member of the Year Award

By News

We are delighted to announce that UCLI’s executive director, Kaitlyn Pieper, has been selected by the Utah State Bar Commission to receive the 2023 Community Member of the Year Award! The Community Member of the Year Award is “Awarded to a non-lawyer member of the community who demonstrates outstanding service toward the creation of a better public understanding of the legal profession and the administration of justice, the judiciary or the legislative process.” A distinguished list of community members have received the Award may be viewed here.

Kaitlyn’s nominator, Cliff Parkinson is the UCLI Community Outreach Co-Chair and said in part, “Kaitlyn spends her days introducing underrepresented populations to the Bar and explains how the Utah Center for Legal Inclusion is trying to close the gap between what the Bar looks like and what the population of Utah looks like.” Kaitlyn expresses her gratitude to the UCLI board for the opportunity to work so closely with incredible members of the legal profession, as well as members of the community at large, on matters of importance to all Utahns. Kaitlyn also thanks the Utah State Bar for this honor and for the many ways they support and empower UCLI and its mission. 

The award was presented to Kaitlyn on November 17 at the 2023 Fall Forum at the Little America Hotel in Salt Lake City. 

Close Menu