Hal Christensen, Samurai Lawyer

Harold G. Christensen recently published “Samurai Lawyer,” a short book which I am told is a poetic description of his journey through more than a thousand cases.  Hal is a great lawyer that has been practicing law for more than fifty years.  His book has also been recommended by Professor John Flynn, Senator Orrin Hatch, and Judge Dee Benson.  I have not yet read the book but, knowing Hal and his excellent writing skills and critical thinking, I intend to this weekend.  According to Amazon.com, the book “parallel[s] the reality of every-day trial practice with the discipline and philosophy of a Samurai Warrior, [and] offers wisdom that may help others discover their own path in practice and in life.”  Pick up a copy at the King’s English Book Shop (shameless plug for a great local bookseller located at 1511 South 1500 East in Salt Lake City) or online.  Happy reading!

The Secrets of Hispanic Surnames

A client asked me to help resolve an issue with a birth certificate in which the parents were Hispanic and the birth certificate misnamed the father’s surname (last name).  I realized that I did not know the first thing about Hispanic surnames and why there were sometimes two surnames and sometimes only one.  This was clearly the source of the mistake on the birth certificate.  The best and easiest to understand answer is found here.  I would summarize the information here but I would simply have to repeat the article.  It is fairly short and concise and easy to understand.  If you ever wondered or just need to brush up on the ins and outs, go see for yourself and be better informed.

Utah State Bar Launches findautahlawyer.org– Meh.

The Utah State Bar late last year launched a renewed effort to improve the visibility of its LegalMatch program as well as a search engine to help the public find a lawyer in Utah.  The website, findautahlawyer.org, is a rebadged extension of the official Utah State Bar web site and matches its design and bland, subdued tones.  I am not an art critic nor have credentials from the University of Chicago School of Art, but I can “call ‘em like I see ‘em” and the site does not speak to me like, say, this one or this one.  The site essentially tells a visitor that a search for a lawyer can be initiated in one of four ways (not including the LegalMatch option).  Why not present the four options in text boxes into which a visitor can immediately start typing?  Or perhaps choose LegalMatch as the only option and incorporate all of the options into it.  The simpler it is the more successful it will be.  Eliminate any extra steps or pages to maneuver.  Also, remove the state bar login boxes which tend to confuse visitors into thinking they need to login when they don’t.  Remove all of the bar-related items cluttering the sides of the page– this site is supposed to be for the public, not for bar members.  Lawyers know where the main bar site is and a simple logo button is sufficient to direct the public/lawyers to the main site.

I have been typically impressed with the work of the technical staff at the bar, however, this site leave much to be desired in simplicity, accessibility, and usability.  It reads more like a legal brief than an public-friendly invitation to find a lawyer.

Happy Festivus!

Today, December 23, is the self-proclaimed modern holiday “Festivus: The Holiday for the Rest of Us.”  Seinfeld popularized this holiday in the 1998 episode “The Strike”.  The Festivus tradition includes the ritual of the aluminum pole (i.e., utilitarian Christmas tree), the airing of grievances, and feats of strength.  Also, be wary of any unforseen and unwanted “miracles”.  So, tonight as you sit around your feast of spaghetti and meatballs, remember to tell everyone how they have disappointed you in the past year.  Then, when everyone has had a chance to channel their inner Sam Kinison, its time to challenge the head of the household to wrestle and, once he or she is pinned, Festivus is over until next year.  Let the festivities begin!

Your Bar Commissioner Petition Is Due February 1, 2009

Get signatures from ten of your best Utah State Bar pals (assuming they are all in good standing with the bar and meet the residency requirement) and file your petition by February 1, 2009.  Your active involvement in the bar is appreciated.  Good luck!

Your Utah Legal Community

The beginning of an era.  The start of something new for the Utah’s unique legal community.  This site is meant to be a combination of legal information, news, and opinion—both yours and ours.  Without your input the story is only half-told and information only slightly accurate.  We expect you to be active participants.  You may remain anonymous or you can identify yourself; it’s your choice.  Your comments will be lightly monitored (primarily for spam and patently offensive content), however, you are expected to be professional and courteous.  That said, let’s get started.