Archive for April, 2009
2009 WLU Woman Lawyer of the Year
Filed Under News | Comments Off
Congratulations to Barbara Bearnson, WLU’s 2009 Woman Lawyer of the Year!
On April 28, 2009, Women Lawyers of Utah named Barbara Bearnson the 2009 Christine M. Durham Woman Lawyer of the Year at its Annual Fireside Chat. The Fireside Chat is a yearly gathering of members and guests to hear an address from Chief Justice Christine M. Durham, of the Utah Supreme Court. Criteria for the award include professional excellence and integrity, demonstrated through an awareness of the needs and concerns of women, and advancement of women inside and outside the legal profession. Former recipients include women from the judiciary, private practice, and government practice.
Ms. Bearnson began her prosecutorial career in the Salt Lake County Attorney’s Office in 1983, where she prosecuted felony and misdemeanor cases. Her sound judgment, innate intelligence, and compassion for victims resulted in her assignment to the Special Victims Team, where she specialized in the prosecution of child abuse, sexual assault and other violent crimes. In 1988, she was hired by the Utah Attorney General’s Office, where she worked in the Criminal Appeals Section and become one of the founding members of the Child Abuse Protection Unit. In that role, she prosecuted child abuse cases and provided training and assistance to deputy county attorneys statewide.
As an Assistant United States Attorney, Ms. Bearnson has effectively prosecuted a broad range of criminal cases for over 15 years. Based upon her abilities, she was promoted to the Deputy Chief of the Violent Crimes Section, and then to Chief of the General Crimes and White Collar Section. In 2006, she was appointed Chief of the Criminal Division where she oversees the entirety of federal criminal prosecutions filed in this state. Her breadth of experience, demonstrated skills, and strong work ethic are respected and valued by her colleagues in her office and her peers throughout the legal community.
In addition to her remarkable legal career, Ms. Bearnson served for many years on the Board of Directors for the Salt Lake City YWCA. Ms. Bearnson’s efforts on behalf of the YWCA were at the forefront of efforts to stop family violence. Ms. Bearnson also serves as a role model in her family life, as the mother of three children. Because of her commitment to her own family, she is sensitive to, and considerate of, the needs and concerns of other working mothers. As a member of upper management in the United States Attorney’s Office, she has been a champion of flexible work arrangements for attorneys with young children.
Women Lawyers of Utah congratulates Ms. Bearnson for her significant achievements.
