Spencer Fane was honored to return as a sponsor for Part II of the special, no-cost Utah State Bar CLE series, Let’s Talk & Let’s Listen – on March 17. Attorney Keith Call once again moderated an insightful discussion, this time featuring Utah Supreme Court Justice Paige Petersen and Ron Gordon, court administrator for the Administrative Office of the Utah State Courts.
The program drew significant participation, with nearly 900 legal professionals joining online and 50 attendees, including members of the judiciary and legal community, participating in person at the Utah Law & Justice Center. Building on the themes introduced in Part I, the panelists championed values such as civility, professionalism, and continued engagement among lawyers, judges, and policymakers while shedding light on the constitutional role of the judiciary and the importance of maintaining a proper balance of powers among Utah’s three branches of government.
“Our role is not to create law, but to interpret the constitution and apply it to the cases before us,” Justice Petersen said, who emphasized the necessity of maintaining an impartial and independent judiciary.
She, Gordon, and Keith also addressed both the operational and constitutional implications of recent legislative developments, including the addition of new judgeships, changes to judicial processes, and the administrative demands placed on Utah’s courts. Meanwhile, Gordon underscored that the judiciary remains committed to working constructively with the other branches while fulfilling its constitutional obligations and highlighted ongoing outreach initiatives designed to demystify court processes and strengthen public trust.
“Bringing these perspectives together in a professional forum allows for a more complete understanding of the challenges and responsibilities facing each branch,” Keith said of the event. “It reinforces the shared commitment within the legal community to uphold the rule of law and to engage in these important conversations with clarity and respect.”
View the presentation recording here.