Utah State Bar Prevails Over Lawyer’s Constitutional Challenge

The Utah State Bar defeated a member’s lawsuit alleging the USB unconstitutionally used mandatory member fees to fund political activities irrelevant to the legal profession.

Judge Tena Campbell, of the US District Court for the District of Utah, on Thursday granted the USB’s motion for summary judgment.

Campbell ruled that the conduct challenged by Amy Pomeroy—USB Journal articles and USB lobbying activity—are relevant to the USB’s permitted function of advancing the interests of the legal profession, or not irrelevant enough for a constitutional violation. And Campbell found the USB implemented adequate refund protocols for attorneys opposed to the ...