Legislative Assaults on State Courts in 2025 State legislatures retaliated against state courts that had struck down partisan gerrymanders, safeguarded direct democracy, and exerted independence from state political branches.

Great summary from the Brennan Center on how small-minded state legislatures, including Utah’s, are attacking judicial independence to safeguard their own power at the expense of justice.

Salt Lake Justice Bus, bringing resources and resolution to folks who otherwise would not have access.

A better world is possible thoughts: Leaving Community Court at Kearns Public Library—a legal desert—& earlier today seeing the new SLC Justice Bus, is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when justice meets people where they are. Access to legal help shouldn’t depend on zip code or office hours.

Gene Steratore, congrats on rising to the top 5 on my nemesis list. You’re safe, John Roberts. #circlethewagons

Join our Access to Justice Office by committing to provide at least one hour of pro bono service in 2026! Take the pledge on the Utah Pro Bono Portal app.joinpaladin.com/!/utahprobono/opportunities/

Law and Community Session 1

Back to school! Law 2010: Law and Community with an intrepid group of (gulp) undergrads! About to delve into how people understand authority/legal systems and build power to mobilize the law. Really grateful.

Extraordinarily proud of the amazing women like Judge Gibson in our Utah judiciary upholding the rule of law. “The Court’s ruling on which congressional map will be adopted is not based on any policy. Rather, it will be based on the law.”

The frequency & audacity in which judges, particularly female judges, are being singled out & labeled by legislative leaders, media, & pundits in #UT recently is outrageous. It's intimidation & an attack on democracy. We need to do better instead of disagreeing better.

With great appreciation to the plaintiffs, League of Women Voters and Mormon Women for Ethical Government. Good job on all fronts here, ladies! 🙌

We strongly condemn efforts to impeach Judge Dianna Gibson for her recent ruling. Using impeachment as retaliation undermines the rule of law and the independence of our courts.
tinyurl.com/bdhs8x9y

Can confirm candy, data, and copious pro bono opportunities at the #Access2Justice booth at the #2025SpringConvention!

Come see me and hear about “Greening #LegalDeserts” in Utah! (We have candy…and data)

Congratulations to the U of U - S.J. Quinney College of Law!

U of U students and faculty went above and beyond during the month of February as part of the 2025 Pro Bono Challenge! They set out to provide over 100 hours of pro bono service outside of PBI—and they exceeded that goal.

Proud to see over 900 Utah attorneys (in less than 24 hrs!) stand for the rule of law -- the foundation of democracy.

Lawmakers' meddling with judicial elections' dangerous' and ‘harmful’ to Utahns, chief justice says In a rare move, the Utah Judicial Council is publicly expressing “significant concerns” about a bill targeting judicial retention elections.

A letter hand-delivered to the Legislature Thursday by Utah Supreme Court Chief Justice Matthew Durrant says HB512 is “not only dangerous but also detrimental to the public’s trust in a fair and impartial judicial system and ultimately harmful to the citizens."

The people of Utah seem to understand the promise of a fair process, and not of a particular outcome. They are consistently voting to retain our judges at very high rates. Based on the bills aimed at the judiciary that have been proposed this session, the Utah legislature does not.

We are entering the final week of this year’s #ProBono Challenge. There are facilitated family, consumer, and housing law opportunities on the calendar. Along with #FreeLegalAnswers. We’re grateful to both schools and the extremely dedicated, brilliant, curious, and thoughtful students! And alumni!

#RighttoCounsel No one should face eviction or losing their kids without advice or limited-scope representation from a legal professional. Let’s put consumer law in there too.

Not necessarily AUDACIOUS, but UT needs a hardship waiver for garnishments. The debt collection process is stacked against pro se respondents and draconian in its remedies. No one should be having 25% of their paycheck taken for a long forgotten COVID test and attorney’s fees.

UT’s leg is in session, and while it’s critical to hold the line on issues like school funding & good governance, I hope we can stave off weariness by imagining & pushing towards a more just, equitable, and culturally vibrant state. I’m going to use this thread to hold myself accountable & uplifted.

At this very polarized point of time, I think it’s all the more important to be audaciously pragmatic.

The Bar Commission understands that attorneys, regardless of political persuasion, care about the separation of powers in our government. Therefore, the Bar is holding firm on its opposition to legislation that jeopardizes judicial independence. Read the press release at tinyurl.com/39t9mpt7

Talked about #well-being in my Learning From Practice class at @sjquinney.bsky.social this morning. A student spoke about “protected Saturdays” as a strategy to avoid #burnout. I wish everyone a lovely, protected 3-day weekend!

Plot twist…success!

Alas, I did not get Beyoncé tickets…yet. We persist!

Fortunate to attend my first @legalservicescorp.bsky.social Emerging Leaders Council today. Now more than ever, I am very grateful to be in community with such fierce, innovative, and committed advocates for a shared purpose of increasing equal access to justice for low-income Americans. #JusticeGap