Awards

Utah State Bar Award Recipient History

Presented to the Committee of the Utah State Bar that has made outstanding contributions of time and talents to Bar activities as well as provide outstanding services, programs and/or activities for Bar members and the public at large during the past year. Recipient is selected in June.

1986 Legislative Affairs Committee
1987 Law Related Education & Law Day Committee
1988 Continuing Legal Education Advisory Committee
1989 Bar Journal Committee
1990 Bar Examiner Committee
1992 Ethics & Discipline Committee
1993 Legislative Affairs Committee
1994 Ethics Advisory Opinion Committee
1995 Delivery Of Legal Services Committee
1996 Needs Of Children Committee
1997 Unauthorized Practice Of Law Committee
1998 Courts & Judges Committee
1999 Client Security Fund Committee
2000 Admissions Committee
2002 Character & Fitness Committee
2003 Needs Of The Elderly Committee
2004 Unauthorized Practice Of Law Committee
2005 Governmental Relations Committee
2006 Ethics Advisory Opinion Committee
2007 Utah Bar Journal Committee
2008 Admissions Committee
2009 New Lawyer Training Program Committee
2010 Bar Examiner Committee
2011 Unauthorized Practice Of Law Committee
2012 Pro Bono Commission
2013 Budget & Finance Committee
2014 Civics Education Committee
2015 Disaster Legal Response Committee
2016 Utah Leadership Academy
2017 Governmental Relations Committee
2018 Innovation in Law Practice Committee
2019 Bar Journal Committee
2020 CLE Advisory Committee
2021 Governmental Relations Committee
Licensed Paralegal Practitioner Committee

community member of the year

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. Recipient is selected in September.

dorathy merrill brothers

For The Advancement Of Women In The Legal Profession

Professionalism; Public Service; Public Dedication; Enhance Administration of Justice; Enhance the Delivery of Legal Services; Improve the Legal Profession; Used as an Incentive for Encouraging New Efforts; Engaged in Significant Activity on Behalf of the Advancement of Women. Recipient is selected in January.

1995 Hon. Christine M. Durham
1996 Patricia W. Christensen
1997 Anne Milne
1998 James B. Lee
1999 Rosalie M. Reilly
2000 Katherine D. Pullins
2001 Laura M. Gray
2002 Hon. Pamela T. Greenwood
2003 Denise A. Dragoo
2004 Paul M. Warner
2005 Annette W. Jarvis
2006 Janet Hugie Smith
2007 Irene Warr
2008 Susan B. Peterson & Constance K. Lundberg
2009 Hon. Carolyn B. McHugh
2010 Evelyn J. Furse, Melanie J. Vartabedian, Lisa A. Yerkovich
2011 Lauren I. Scholnick
2012 Hon. Sandra N. Peuler
2013 Charlotte L. Miller
2014 Terrie McIntosh
2015 Rep. Patrice Arent
2016 Barbara G. Hjelle
2017 Hon. Michele M. Christiansen
2018 Ellen M. Maycock
2019 Jacey Skinner
2020 Jenifer L. Tomchak
2021 Aida Neimarlija
2022 Jessica Andrew

heart & hands award

To acknowledge a Bar member who has made significant contributions to his/her cause through his/her philanthropic service. The recipient is selected in October.

judge of the year

Career exemplifies the highest standards of judicial conduct for integrity and independence; who is knowledgeable of the law and faithful to it; who is unswayed by partisan interests, public clamor or fear of criticism; patient, dignified and courteous to all who appear before the court; endeavors to improve the administration of justice and public understanding of, and respect for, the role of law in our society. The recipient is selected in June.

lawyer of the year

Presented to a Utah State Bar member who, over a long and distinguished legal career, has by their ethical and personal conduct, commitment and activities, exemplified for their fellow attorneys the epitome of professionalism; who has also rendered extraordinary contributions to the programs and activities of the Utah State Bar in the prior year. The recipient is selected in June.

liberty bell award

To A Community Member Or Organization For Their Contribution To A Better Understanding And Appreciation Of The American Justice System

1990 L. K. Abbott
1992 Ben Barr
1993 John Mc Morris
1994 Mel Jones
1995 Susan Mc Nulty
1996 Dana L. Hayward
1997 Gerthe B. Peterson
1998 Peggi Lowden
1999 LDS Church Salt Lake Inner-City Project
2000 Jennifer Yim
2001 Janet Hilliard
2002 Victoria King
2003 Marilu Peterson
2004 Russ Osguthorpe
2005 Diané Clark
2006 Staci Duke
2007 Margaret W. Obray
2008 Darren Workman
2009 Jon J. Hill
2010 John Florez
2011 Nancy A. Conway
2012 Aileen Hales Clyde
2015 Paralegal Division
2016 Angela Leedy
2017 Sariah Donnahoo
2018 Divorce Education Program for Children
2019 Jessica Xaiz Mann

lifetime service

The Lifetime Service to the Bar Award recognizes lawyers or judges whose esteemed careers have been dedicated to significant involvement in the activities, programs, and leadership of the Utah State Bar and devoted to enriching the legal profession and serving the public. The award was first given in 2006. Recipients have included prominent senior members of the Bar, including twelve past Bar Presidents, three former Bar Commissioners; two with significant involvement in the American Bar Association and one with exceptional involvement in important Bar programs. Past winners were also members of the Utah State Legislature, Federal Court judges, the first Woman Utah Supreme Court Justice, and a founding member of the Utah Court of Appeals who was the first woman Utah State Bar President.

2006

2008

Hon. J. Thomas Greene
Joseph Novak
Reed L. Martineau
M. Dayle Jeffs

2011

2012

Brian R. Florence
Hon. Christine M. Durham

2014

Hon. James Z. Davis
Lyle W. Hillyard
Felshaw King
Rodney G. Snow
Hon. Raymond Uno

2016

Anne Milne
Leonard W. Burningham

2019

Patricia W. Christensen
Hon. Paul Michael Warner
Hon. Brooke C. Wells

2020

Hon. Dee V. Benson

2022

Richard D. Burbidge

mentor of the year

Mentor of the Year will have been a valued guide who helped the new lawyer understand the rules of professionalism and civility and how adherence to them benefits clients and the profession as a whole. The recipient is selected in September.

2012

R. Josh Player
Sharon A. Donovan
David E. Leta
Thomas R. Vaughn

2013

Hugh Cawthorne
Brent H. Bartholomew

2014

Timothy J. Larsen
Debra M. Nelson
Hon. Tupakk A.G. Renteria

2015

Scott D. Hansen
Mark D. Tolman

2016

Blake R. Hills
Andrea Martinez Griffin

2017

Julia D. Kyte
Leonor E. Perretta

2018

Denise A. Dragoo
Jess M. Krannich

2019

Brady Brammer
Kyle V. Leishman

pro bono service of the year

Presented to an attorney/law firm who has made an exemplary contribution of time & effort, without compensation, to provide legal assistance to people who could not afford the assistance of any attorney. Designed to reflect contributions during the past year as well as over an attorney’s career. “Services to low-income people encompasses both aggressive advocacy on behalf of individuals in extreme need as well as impact advocacy designed to address systemic issues affecting significant numbers of low-income people. The recipient is selected in September.

1986 Donald W. Hemingway
1987 Robert B. Denton
1987 Jones, Waldo, Holbrook & McDonough
1988 David L. Disley
1988 Edwards & Mccoy
1989 Walker Kennedy, III
1989 Fabian & Clendenin
1990 Charlotte L. Miller
1990 Parsons Behle & Latimer
1991 James R. Haisley
1991 Roger A. Moffitt
1992 Betsy L. Ross
1993 James C. Lewis
1993 L. John Lewis
1994 Nelda M. Bishop
1995 Vinh K. Ly
1996 Mary Margaret (Peggy) Hunt
1997 Mary Jane Ciccarello
1998 Herm Olsen
1998 Snow & Jensen
1999 Richard F. Bojanowski
2001 Mitchell R. Baker
2002 Waine C. Riches
2003 Mark C. Alvarez
2004 Lauren I. Scholnick
2005 Su J. Chon
2006 Jensie Andersen
2007 Kelly Latimer, Christina Micken, & Matthew Wride
2008 Ruth Lybbert, Paul Simmons, & David Olsen
2009 Scott H. Martin
2010 Scott R. Jenkins & Jonny Benson
2011 Alan L. Sullivan & Chris J. Martinez
2012 Paul C. Burke
2013 Elizabeth Elon Thompson
2014 Chad McKay
2015 McKette H. Allred
2016 Gregory G. Skordas
2017 Robert O. Rice
2018 Keil Myers
2019 Brian M. Rothschild
George R. Sutton

professionalism

The Professionalism Award recognizes a lawyer or judge whose “deportment in the practice of law represents the highest standards of fairness, integrity, and civility.” The award was first given out in 2004 and includes a list of prominent members of the Bar who have exhibited the type of truthfulness, reliability, and honor which is held as a standard among their peers. The recipient is selected in September.

raymond s. uno

Advancement of Minorities in the Law

Professionalism, Public Service, Public Dedication and Substantial Contributions to the Bar have Significantly Enhanced the Legal Profession, the Delivery of Legal Services, the Practice of Law and the Administration of Justice; Engaged in Significant Activity for the Advancements of Minorities in the Field of Law – not just Good Works; Active in the Minority Community; Active Role in the Minority Bar Association. The recipient is selected in January.

1995 Hon. William A. Thorne, Jr.
1996 John Martinez
1997 Michael N. Martinez
1998 Hon. Raymond S. Uno
1999 Jimi Mitsunaga
2000 Sherrie Hayashi
2001 Hon. Tyrone E. Medley
2002 Robert L. Flores
2003 F. John Hill
2004 Marlene F. Gonzalez
2005 Cheryl D. Luke
2006 Mona Lyman Burton
2007 Hon. Glen K. Iwasaki
2008 Su J. Chon
2009 Cheryl Miyuki Mori
2010 Trystan B. Smith
2011 Nathan D. Alder
2012 Prof. David Dominguez
2013 Cecilia M. Romero
2014 Janise K. Macanas
2015 Andrea Martinez Griffin
2016 Reyes Aguilar Jr. & Carl Hernandez III
2017 Hon. Vernice S. Trease
2018 Hon. Augustus G. Chin
2019 Yvette Donnosso
2020 Melinda K. Bowen
2021 Engels Tejeda
2022 Ross I. Romero

scott m. matheson

To Recognize A Lawyer And/Or A Law Firm Who Have Made An Outstanding Contribution To Law-Related Education For Youth In The State Of Utah

1991 Gregory G. Skordas & Van Cott Bagley Cornwall & Mccarthy
1992 Barry Gomberg & Fabian & Clendenin
1993 Kevan F. Smith & Ray Quinney & Nebeker
1994 Kim M. Luhn & Leboeuf Lamb, Greene & Macrae
1995 Gordon K. Jensen & Utah Attorney General’s Office
1996 Kevin P. Sullivan & Richards Caine & Allen
1997 Steven L. Garside & Utah County Public Defender Association
1998 Mark W. Dykes & Weber County Attorney’s Office
1999 A. Robert Thorup & Utah State & Federal Judiciary
2000 Candice Ragsdale-Pollock & Weber State University
2001 Bruce R. Baird & University Of Utah College Of Law Pro Bono Initiative
2002 David B. Watkiss & Joseph M. Bean
2003 Augustus G. Chin & Utah State Bar
2004 Virginia C. Lee
2005 Hon. William A. Thorne, Jr
2006 Hon. Kevin R. Christensen
2007 Michelle M. Roybal
2008 Brenden P. Mccullagh
2009 Edward K. Brass
2010 H. Michael Keller
2011 Alan B. Sevison
2012 Kristina L. Kindl
2013 Paul G. Cassell
2014 Timothy B. Schade
2015 John Fay & Christopher Reynoso
2016 Thomas Richard Davis
2017 Steven R. Paul
2018 Todd M. Olsen
2019 Albert N. Pranno

section of the year

Presented to a section of the Utah State Bar that has made outstanding contributions of time and talents to Bar activities as well as provided outstanding services, programs and/or activities for Bar members and the public at large during the past year; “given annually to recognize programs of the bar that serve the mission of being a united, inclusive organization serving the legal profession and the public.” The recipient is selected in June.

1985 Securities Law Section
1987 Energy, Natural Resources And Environmental Law Section
1988 Administrative Law Section
1989 Young Lawyer Section
1990 Litigation Section
1991 Family Law Section
1993 Litigation Section
1995 Litigation Section
1997 Young Lawyers Division
1998 Legal Assistants Division
2001 Legal Assistants Division
2002 Young Lawyers Division
2003 Family Law Section
2004 Young Lawyers Division
2005 ADR Section
2006 Litigation Section
2007 Paralegal Division
2008 Young Lawyers Division
2009 Appellate Practice Section
2010 Military Law Section
2011 Elder Law Section, Young Lawyers Division
2012 Estate Planning Section
2013 Solo, Small Firm & Rural Practice Section
2014 Intellectual Property Section
2015 Young Lawyers Division
2016 Bankruptcy Section
2017 Limited Scope Section
2018 Cyberlaw Section
2019 Litigation Section
2020 Indian Law Section
2021 Intellectual Property Section
2022 Business Law Sections

special service

2001 Waine C. Riches
2002 Kent B. Scott
2002 Rep. Afton B. Bradshaw
2002 Rep. A. Lamont Tyler
2003 Hon. Leonard H. Russon
2003 Dean W. Sheffield
2003 Elaina Maragakis
2003 Gary G. Sackett
2005 Utah Minority Bar Association
2006 S. J. Quinney College Of Law
2007 G. Steven Sullivan
2008 David R. Hall
2012 Hon. David R. Hamilton
Hon. David O. Nuffer
Samuel Alba
Steven T. Waterman
2014 Young Lawyers Division
2017 Hon. Christine M. Durham
2019 Robert W. Alder
Steven G. Johnson
2020 Richard Mauro & Salt Lake Legal Defender Assoc.
2022 Noella Sudbury and Debra M. Nelson

young lawyer of the year

1982 Randy L. Dryer
1983 Kent M. Kasting
1985 Patrick J. Garver
1986 Gregory K. Orme
1987 Anne E. Stirba
1988 Christopher C. Fuller
1989 J. Stephen Mikita
1990 John A. Adams
1991 Elizabeth A. Dalton
1992 Gordon K. Jensen
1993 Gregory G. Skordas
1994 Colleen Larkin Bell
1995 Hon. Kimberly K. Hornak
1996 Kristin G. Brewer
1997 Jensie L. Anderson
1998 Martin N. Olsen
1999 Kristin Jocums
2000 Christina I. Miller
2001 Victoria Coombs Bushnell
2002 Candice Anderson Vogel
2003
Amy E. Hayes
Patrick Tan
2004 Heath H. Snow
2005 Christian W. Clinger
2006 Sean D. Reyes
2007 Jason P. Perry
2008 Margaret D. Plane
2009 Angelina Tsu
2010 Roger Y. Tsai
2011
Kelly J. Latimer
Christina L. Micken
2012 Gabriel K. White
2013 R. Blake Hamilton
2014 Liisa Hancock
2015 Aida Neimarlija
2016
Kate Conyers
Katherine Judd
2017 Tyler Needham
2018 Sarah C. Vaughn
2019
Dani Cepernich
Jennifer Springer

Utah State Bar Award Recipient History

Nomination for Utah State Bar Award

Nomination Bar Awards

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