Fourth Annual UCLI Fundraiser Luncheon, “A Seat at the Table”

The Utah Center for Legal Inclusion welcomed over 200 guests to its fourth annual Fundraiser Luncheon, “A Seat at the Table”. The luncheon was held at the Salt Lake Marriott Downtown at City Creek on March 27, 2025, with the gracious support of Event Sponsor, Kirton McConkie, and Impact Sponsors, Ray Quinney & Nebeker and Parsons Behle & Latimer. We thank our wonderful participants from the Utah legal community and our honored guest speakers and presenters. 

The luncheon was kicked off by Christina Jepson, UCLI Co-President, and Carla Swensen-Haslem, UCLI Utah Hispanic Bar Association (UHBA) Representative, who warmly welcomed all participants and introduced the theme of the afternoon: A Seat at the Table. A special thank you was also provided to Event Sponsor Kirton McConkie, and Impact Sponsors Ray Quinney & Nebeker and Parson Behle & Latimer, who helped make the day possible. Next, Javier Chavez Jr., President of the newly formed Utah Hispanic Bar Association (UHBA), was invited to the stage to present and bring awareness to their important mission of supporting and uplifting Latin-American members of the legal community. 

Following Mr. Chavez’s speech, a video showed the vital impact of UCLI’s PLEDGE programming on students; you may watch the video here. UCLI and the many volunteers in the legal community who give their time have a priceless impact on the students they encounter. The effect is spread through many age groups, from elementary students to admitted law students. The video segued into an inspiring speech by Mr. John Arthur, a 6th-grade teacher at Meadowlark Elementary and a cornerstone of the Meadowlark Mentoring Program. Mr. Arthur opens his classroom to UCLI and its volunteers, and he recounted the positive influence UCLI activities have had on his students, whether it be mentoring sessions or kickball games. “If you want to diversify the legal field, you can’t plant trees. You have to plant seeds,” he said regarding the importance of empowering younger generations. You can listen to his speech here. 

Abby Dizon-Maughan, UCLI board member, next introduced the keynote speaker and her impressive biography. Stacy Bernal is an author, a TedX speaker, current Ogden School District Representative, and the former Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Manager for the Utah Jazz. Ms. Bernal opened her presentation with a quote from the great Shirley Chisholm, “If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.” Bernal continued sharing the story of how she became the first DEI Manager of the Utah Jazz, while simultaneously managing the Ogden School District elections around the same time. She eventually continued to run for her local Utah Senate seat. Though she did not secure the seat, she made it clear to all luncheon attendees that some of us may be sitting at tables that we are meant to flip. She further inspired all to have the courage to leave a table that does not serve you. Her inspiring keynote address can be accessed here.

Finally, UCLI Development Co-Chair Juliana Yee wrapped up the event by encouraging attendees to donate to the important cause of UCLI. For anyone who missed the chance to attend or donate at the luncheon but would like to support the cause, you may donate here. Carla Swensen-Haslem joined her on stage to close the luncheon out, instructing attendees to check under their seats at the table for a small gift. Each seat featured a gift, and a select few attendees won tickets to the Utah Jazz vs. Portland Trailblazers game on April 9, 2025. Many attendees also took home their winning bids from the silent auction, which featured 24 prizes, from framed original paintings to an at-home private chef dining experience. All donations made at the luncheon were generously matched by the Florence J. Gillmor Foundation. 

UCLI thanks all those who participated in the 2025 luncheon and contributed to the event’s success. We thank each individual, organization, and law firm for their continued support of UCLI’s mission of providing mentorship and support for students as they work towards their goal of joining the legal profession. We appreciate you taking a seat at our table!

 

Thank you to our Event Sponsor:

Kirton McConkie 

 

Thank you to Impact Sponsors:

Ray Quinney & Nebeker 

Parsons Behle & Latimer

 

Thank you to Scholarship Sponsors:

Rocky Mountain Advisory

Keller Preece

 

Thank you to Table Sponsors:

Kirkland & Ellis

Workman Nydegger

Greenberg Traurig

Holland & Hart

Spencer Fane

Fabian VanCott

Strong & Hanni

UMBA

Snell & Wilmer

Lowenstein Sandler

Wilson Sonsini

Jackson Lewis

 

Thank you to Silent Auction Donors:

Leslie Wignall

Arturo Thompson

Tuacahn Amphitheatre 

Utah Opera & Utah Symphony

Erik Christiansen and Christina Jepson

Walnut Golf Club

Little America Hotel

Cinemark Provo

Kings English Bookshop

Log Haven 

Cactus and Tropicals 

Utah Hogle Zoo

Clark Executive Detail

Momentum Climbing Gym

Utah Jazz

Kelly Fletcher Jewelry

Mazza

Body Bar Pilates

Streamline Pilates

The Salt Lake Golf Lounge