We officially installed our new leadership, marking a transition that carries significance well beyond Utah’s legal profession. 
Read all about it by clicking here.

President Tyler Young and Justice Paige Petersen

(L to R): Yvette Donosso, Walter Romney, Jr., Christian Hansen, Ezzy Khaosanga, Ashley Biehl, and Justice Paige Petersen

President-Elect Tom Bayles and Justice Paige Petersen

Young Lawyers Division Past President Alex Vandiver and President Nicole Johnston

See your favorite moments and add your own to the Bar's special album dedicated to the 95th Anniversary summer convention.

Avoid Fees & License Suspension

All applicable fees for the 2026–2027 licensing year must be completed and paid by August 31, 2026.

If you have already renewed your license and submitted payment, please disregard this reminder.

Please renew today to avoid any interruption to your license status. Renewals that are not completed and fees that are not paid by the August 31 deadline will result in the suspension of your license and the assessment of a reinstatement fee.



If you need assistance with your online renewal, please contact the Licensing Department at licensing@utahbar.org.

New Juvenile Court Judge

Gov. Spencer J. Cox has appointed Lance Talakai to the Third District Juvenile Court, pending confirmation by the Utah Senate. Talakai will fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge David Johnson.

A defense attorney with the Salt Lake Legal Defender Association since 2012, Talakai brings 14 years of experience handling felony, misdemeanor and serious youth offender cases, as well as leadership and attorney training experience.

A graduate of BYU’s J. Reuben Clark Law School, Talakai said he is honored to serve the district where he grew up and pledged to approach the role with compassion, fairness and integrity.

5 Nominees for Justice Court Judge

The Judicial Nominating Commission for Salt Lake City has selected five nominees for a new justice court judge position recently approved by the Utah Judicial Council.

The nominees are:


• Mike Boehm
• Paul C. Farr
• J. Mason Kjar
• Nick Stiles
• Jaime Topham

The public comment period has now closed. Once the application materials are provided to Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall, she will have 30 days to make a final selection, which must then be ratified by the Salt Lake City Council and certified by the Utah Judicial Council.

Utah State Bar Happenings

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6 Free Therapy Sessions: A Wellness Benefit for Bar Licensees

As an active licensee, you have access to a valuable wellness benefit: six free therapy sessions through Tava Health.

If you haven’t taken advantage of this benefit yet, now may be a particularly good time to start. With the demands of back-to-school season, rising costs, and the everyday pressures of lawyering and life, confidential mental health support can be an important resource.

And guess what? Tava Health has also enhanced its virtual care experience to make accessing and continuing therapy easier. Its updated virtual waiting room now provides helpful tips before a session begins, clear notifications if a therapist is running late, and straightforward options to reschedule, report a no-show, or switch providers. Sign up today!