President’s Message

Hard as it is to admit, I’ve been involved with WLU at various levels of commitment for almost 20 years!  I can say without hesitation that it is one of the best groups that I have joined.  As a woman attorney, mentor, community member and mother of two daughters, the mission of WLU–to provide opportunities for women lawyers to develop and advance their careers and to further the cause of women in Utah generally—is very near and dear to my heart.  More important, however, is that WLU delivers on its mission.  WLU annually provides numerous educational programs that are always relevant and informative, it actively encourages community affiliations within our profession and beyond, and it affords meaningful networking, mentoring and leadership opportunities for women attorneys.  I am grateful for my affiliation with this wonderful organization and the opportunities that it has given me to work with top-notch women who I now call friends.   

This past year, under the capable leadership of Past-Presidents, Lisa Yerkovich (2008-2009) and Eve Furse (2007-2008), current President-Elect, Melanie Vertabedian, and Melanie’s very committed Special Projects Committee, WLU, with the generous financial support of numerous law firms and individuals, significantly furthered its mission of being responsive to, advancing the careers of, and improving the living and working conditions of a great number of our members working at law firms.  The “Initiative on the Advancement and Retention of Women in Law Firms,” which was designed to understand more fully the retention and advancement of women lawyers at Utah law firms, has been an overwhelming success.  As part of the Initiative, WLU partnered with BYU to create a survey that was distributed to all Utah Bar members who took the Bar exam between 1985-2005.  The survey was responded to by a statistically significant portion of the test group, and its results were presented at the first of two well-attended symposia held in May at the Matheson Courthouse.  The second symposia, held at the U.S. Courthouse in June, was informative and provided a superb platform for collecting information on best retention practices for Utah firms.  We thank all of those who contributed to this important discussion, and I give special thanks to Lisa, Eve, Melanie and all of the other women who worked so hard on this project.  We eagerly await the report that will be generated and distributed in conjunction with the Initiative.  

WLU just held another very successful Banter With The Bench, which was coordinated by Joanna Miller, Chair of WLU’s Career Development and Advancement Committee.  Many thanks to Joanna, her Committee, and to all of the Judges who participated in the Banter.   

On Friday, October 16, 2009, immediately after work, WLU and the Young Lawyers Division of the Utah State Bar will sponsor a 5K and 1 mile run/walk to benefit the YWCA.  Please join us in supporting this worthy organization which works to eliminate racism and empower women in Salt Lake.  Further information about registration for this event can be obtained from Heather Farnsworth (heather@cannonmatch.com), Chair of WLU’s Community Outreach Committee and our website. 

In addition to the Annual Retreat, WLU will be hosting numerous other traditional programs.  Laurie Gilliland, Chair of WLU’s CLE Committee, has arranged for WLU to be involved in the Utah State Bar’s Fall Forum Program.  The always-popular Annual Fireside Chat with Justice Durham is already being planned for the Spring.  We are also planning networking socials and our annual mentoring program.

Please come to one or all of WLU’s events!  Also, we would welcome your involvement on one of WLU’s Committees.  Joining a Committee is the best way to meet other members and become more involved in the organization.  Details about our events and about how to join a Committee can be found here on our website.

I look forward to a fun and informative year.  I hope to see you at WLU’s up-coming events!

Peggy Hunt
WLU President 2009-2010