About Us

Our Vision

To develop and maintain a balanced political environment in Utah.

Our Mission

  • To foster a culture of increased political activism among Democratic lawyers;
  • To encourage and support lawyers and others to seek elective office as Democrats;
  • To assist legislators and others in developing public policy based on sound analysis; and
  • To educate and inform our members and our community about public policy issues.

Organization

The Utah Democratic Lawyers Council (UDLC) is a Utah non-profit 501(c)(4) organization. It has an elected board of directors which directs the activities of the organization and elected officers who handle the organization’s day-to-day operations. The current officers and board members are as follows:

Officers

  • President: Blaine L. Carlton
  • First Vice President: (currently vacant)
  • Second Vice President: Jonathan Ruga
  • Secretary: Laurie L. Noda
  • Treasurer: Cynthia Daniels

Board of Directors

  • Patrick Burt
  • Anthony C. Kaye
  • Blaine L. Carlton
  • Brian S. King
  • Peter Corroon
  • Brandon J. Mark
  • Cynthia Daniels
  • Laurie L. Noda
  • Jeffrey Eisenberg
  • Jonathan Ruga

Committees

The following committees have been organized by the Board to assist it in accomplishing the UDLC’s objectives:

Membership Committee: This committee is responsible for establishing membership benefits and dues and organizing the UDLC membership drive. Chair: Jonathan Ruga

Rapid Response Committee: This committee is responsible for providing legal research and advice to our Democratic Legislators and candidates. It also provides legal assistance to the Democratic Party when requested. Chair: Patrick Burt

Legislative Committee: This committee is responsible for assisting the UDLC in being aware of upcoming legislative initiatives and issues that must be addressed. Chair: Brian S. King

Recruitment Committee: This committee is responsible for working with the Democratic Party in recruiting good candidates for state and local offices. Its primary focus is encouraging Democratic lawyers to run for office, since lawyers are generally well-suited for public office. Chair: Laurie L. Noda

Events Committee: This committee is responsible for organizing CLE lunches, speaking engagements and other social events for the purpose of educating the public, in general, and the legal community, in particular, about timely issues. Chair: Anthony C. Kaye

Communications Committee: This committee is responsible for providing content for the UDLC website, e-mail information, announcements and press releases. Chair: Blaine L. Carlton

Liaison: Brandon J. Mark serves as the liaison between the UDLC and the Democratic Party.

Our Accomplishments

Some of UDLC’s accomplishments since its inception in 2008:

  1. UDLC has encouraged and recruited Democratic lawyers to run for political office. For example, in 2008 there were no Democratic lawyers serving in the House of Representatives and only two serving in the Utah Senate. In 2010, nine Democratic lawyer candidates ran for legislative offices. UDLC continues to recruit candidates for various elective offices, including for Governor, Attorney General, and various Senate and House of Representatives offices.
  2. UDLC provided legal input on both the Fair Boundaries and Utahns for an Ethical Government initiatives, as well as the redistricting process. We are continuing to explore possible legal action with respect to the Republican efforts to make it increasingly difficult to elect Democrats to Congress. UDLC’s Rapid Response Committee has provided both research to legislators and input concerning a significant number of important bills in prior legislative sessions, and is doing so for the 2012 legislative session. In addition, UDLC has sent a letter to White House Counsel expressing our concern with the nominating process for U.S. Attorneys (see the letter here). Former Representative Christine Johnson has advised us that UDLC is viewed by many legislators as one of the key organizations to provide leadership and organization for the State Democratic Party in future years. We’ve heard the same comments from Mayors Corroon and Becker and from State Party Chair, Jim Dabakis.
  3. UDLC has identified well over 1,000 Democratic voting lawyers throughout the State and continues to work on its database, adding independent lawyers too. UDLC is now able to contact the entire group of Democratic lawyers (and many independents) to organize support for candidates and projects.
  4. UDLC has sponsored a number of luncheons where its members have the opportunity to become better informed on important social and political issues. Luncheons have focused on the redistricting process (including the Fair Boundaries Initiative), the need for Democratic lawyers to get more engaged in the political process, and Representative Jim Matheson’s views on national issues and his voting record. UDLC is planning additional CLE approved luncheons including a debate between Salt Lake County mayoral candidates Ross Romero and Ben McAdams, a discussion of affirmative action, the immigration issue, and the 10th Amendment and States’ Rights.
  5. Through its website, UDLC is educating its members about current social and political issues