The Utah Valley University
Christine M. Durham Pre-Law club proudly announces the
2013 Christine M. Durham Public Service Award
Honoree and Finalists
Justice Christine M. Durham
Chief Justice Durham has indeed lived greatly in the law. As a jurist, as a judicial administrator, as a writer, as an
educator, mentor, colleague and innovator, she has made powerful contributions to the law and to the judiciary in
Utah, across our nation, and beyond.
She has deserved well the many honors she has received, but none capture her humility, her grace and her quiet
manner of doing what is right, whatever the circumstance. I shall always treasure the privilege of knowing her.
-Margaret H. Marshall, Chief Justice Supreme Judicial Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts
I am delighted at the honor Randall Mackey is receiving today. I have
associated with Randall over the last 40 years in the legal profession,
currently as his partner, and based upon my observations during this time, no
one is more deserving of the honor than Randall.
The amazing thing is that during this time, Randall has been able to also
devote extraordinary time and service to his family and church as well as the
community, achieving exceptional success in all endeavors. And to top this,
he has been able at the same time to maintain an exceptional law practice.
Sometimes, however, he can be a little unrealistic in his ambitions. Someone
needs to tell him that he is not going to make it into the NBA in spite of his
weekly basketball practice and games. Congratulations Randall!
-Alan Mecham, Mackey Price & Mecham
Randall A. Mackey
2013 Award Honoree
The recognition of Randall Mackey for his public service is richly deserved.
He has reached out to the community far beyond his practice of law. His
involvement in education, the arts and assistance for those in need is most
commendable. The community is better because of it, and to him, thanks for
his many hours of service.
-Gifford Price, Mackey Price & Mecham
2013 Award Finalists
Professor James Backman, as a co-chair of the Bar’s Pro Bono Commission, was a
driving force behind the legal center. Professor Backman brings his rich experience
and enthusiasm for pro bono work to the Bar’s new program. In 2010, the J. Reuben
Clark Law Society and the J. Reuben Clark Law School sponsored the Timpanogos
Legal Center. Attorneys and law students work side-by-side to serve members of the
community in need of legal advice and assistance. Hundreds of volunteers have
participated. More than 100 BYU law students assist approximately seventy attorneys
in client interviews, drafting documents, and preparing for hearings and trials.
-Rodney Snow, 2012 Utah State Bar President
James H. Backman
“Laura Cabanilla is a great example of service to all of us. She seems to have
the time and energy to serve her country, family and community all at a high
level. We are all better off thanks to her hard work and dedication.”
-John Curtis, Mayor, Provo City
Laura H. Cabanilla
Many people talk about the service as a public virtue. Paul’s special gift is that he actually
believes that in bending down, lending a hand, lifting, pushing, or in so many other ways
sharing another’s burden, we approach the full measure of who we really should be. For
this and so many other reasons, he is my hero, law partner and dear friend.
-Bill Heder, MacArthur, Heder & Metler
Paul MacArthur
Paul has been instrumental in starting up A Child's Hope Foundation over 10 years ago
now, and he has served as a member of the Board during that entire time. Paul's ability to
get to the heart of the issues we face and his willingness to serve have been critical to our
success. He is a kind, thoughtful, and generous person; some wonder if he is even an
attorney!
-Kent White, A Child’s Hope Foundation
Thanks,
Kent White
"I liked how even-handed she was with everyone. Her courtroom was a place
where you could expect rationality.”
-Alicia Cook, Assistant Salt Lake County Attorney
"Judge McCleve could relate to people. They didn't feel she was talking down to
them or lecturing as a judge, but really reaching them as a human being. A lot of
judges have no ability to do that, and people don't have a sense the judge is
interested in them.”
-James Bradshaw, Defense Attorney
Sheila K. McCleve
J. Stephen Mikita
“I have never seen an attorney work as hard or as fast as Mikita to get judges to see the
desperation, crisis and emergency needs of incapa-citated people with disabilities.
Steve is a really pointed, focused, fierce advocate for our vulnerable adults."
An OPG case involved a 78-year-old woman who was being cared for by her son,
who was also a hoarder. Boxes were stacked up to the ceiling and took up most of the
woman’s bed and where she slept was covered in excrement.
The woman was locked up in her room and left for hours. An Adult Protective
Services investigator stopped by the home and could hear the woman screaming for
help. "This woman was stuck in her home and now under state guardianship; she is
clean, fully cared for and gets three meals a day," said Russell. The victim’s son is now
facing criminal neglect charges. Steve is a pivotal catalyst for change."
-Donna Russell, Director, Office of Public Guardian