Mandatory Electronic Filing on Criminal Cases starts March 31

For all criminal attorneys - in case you have not heard, as of MARCH 31, 2014, all documents other than the Information are to be electronically filed in district court criminal cases.

Informations will be electronically filed as of January 1, 2015.

This new rule becomes effective October 28, 2013 under Rule 2-205.
(Subject to change after the comment period)  

Bar Photo ID Cards

I checked out the Utah State Bar website and found out that the Bar has moved to a photo- ID card for members of the Utah State Bar. The new photo ID card is now issued as part of the newly admitted attorney process.  The old, non-photo ID cards are being phased out.
You can elect to not have an image on the card but that may impact your ability to access law enforcement areas such as the jails or the use of court access lines that are dedicated to attorneys.

If you want to get a photo ID card, it will cost you FIVE BUCKS ($5) 

You can take care of it in person (it will take about 10 minutes to be completed) :

Utah Law & Justice Center
645 South 200 East
Salt Lake City, Utah 84111
e: info@utahbar.org
p: 801.531.9077
M-F 8:00 - 5:00, closed for State and Federal holidays.

Or you can do it online:  Photo ID for $5
You will need to fill out a form and submit a photo, then pick up your card.

A lot of the state bars are moving in this direction. 

By the way, some state bars do not charge for cards like this one http://www.jud.ct.gov/attyphoto or this one www.gand.uscourts.gov/bar/attorneyid.php.

And some state bars do not have photo IDs.

As soon as I get my new photo ID card, I will let you know what it looks like.



 

Success!!!

"The Utah State Bar Board of Bar Commissioners and the Utah State Bar would like to congratulate Ms. Janise Macanas on her election as the new Commissioner for the 3rd Division which represents Tooele, Salt Lake, and Summit Counties. Ms. Macanas will be filling the vacancy left by Mr. James D. Gilson after his election to President-Elect of the Utah State Bar."








http://shar.es/Ia9eo


http://attorneygeneral.utah.gov/press-room/

Thank you everyone for voting and for your encouragement and support. 

What next?  I am still finding out what my commissioner assignments will be. 

I want to remain in touch with you so we can exchange information and get your input.  The Bar will not give me your email addresses so the only way to reach attorneys is through this blog or if I have you in my email contact list. 

Watch this blog for updates and announcements.  

Please feel free to contact me at janisemacanas@gmail.com.

Mahalo nui loa, Janise











 

Thanks Guys! (Cha Cha Cha)

http://youtu.be/qX5QT5wNSMQ

Thumbs Up!

 

 

 

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"Hi Janise:  I sent this message to all the attorneys in our office:

Dear Attorneys: If you are unsure for whom to vote for bar commissioner, I would highly recommend Janise Macanas. Very smart and dedicated, and she was universally liked in law school, and has been at the AG's office, where she's also universally liked,  for her entire career." 

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Thanks for sending us a 1:45 a.m. e-mail. That time stamp alone earned you a vote from every attorney in this office. But seriously, we are all voting for you because you are amazing. You have always been a complete joy and delight to work with. You understand our clients’ issues and you see the big picture. Don’t forget about us when you’re a hot shot Bar Commissioner. J


*****************************************************************************************************

"Janise, below is actual proof that I voted - even half way around the world [Iraq]- and I voted for you! Best of luck" 

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"I must add my name to those who strongly support Ms. Macanas. I have worked with and around her for many years I can and will say that she is thoughtful, considerate, bright, helpful and would add significantly to any commission she might be elected to and serve."

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"To my Facebook friends who are members of the Third Judicial District in Utah:
Please vote for Janise Macanas in the upcoming Commission election. She has been a great friend, mentor and advocate to and for me. She is not afraid to raise her voice against politics and is driven to help promote diversity in the bar at many levels. She is not afraid to speak up and is a government employee.  Vote for someone who will actually represent what you want. The Commission needs her to keep people on track and will work hard to represent you. Let's show the Commission that people will vote and want Janise." 

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Facebook: "She's the only candidate that addressed the issues. The other three seemed to rely on vague ideas." 

 

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"You'd be very good. Hope you get elected."

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"Hi Janise, I do not know you, but I voted for you for a bar commissioner position.

After reviewing each of the candidates for bar commissioner, I see that you are most qualified. I cast my vote, after going through the interesting steps to re-obtain the login and password."
 

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"Janise, I am so thrilled you are running for bar commissioner. Let me know how I can help. I already put your message on Facebook and got lots of likes and positive comments."

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"So delighted to see someone from the AG's Office is running, I voted for you and hope you win.  I am telling everyone I know that we need your talents, skills, and expertise on the commission.  And you are the most real and down to earth candidate out there."

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"Janise, I told everyone here to vote for you, can't wait to see how you will rock the commission. "

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"Janise, You are the most interesting bar commish candidate, and I'm rooting for you.

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Sending good thoughts (and votes) your way. I know elections are so tough. I don’t know if my opinion counts (because I’ve never even heard of your competition), but I think you will win! Good luck. I’ll be sending you happy thoughts.

 

 

 

 

Don't waste your POWER

Dear Friends:

If you play video games, you know how you start out on the journey, things start getting tough, you meet opposition, and then ta-dah, you suddenly have the chance to get more coins, fly and jump, be a super ninja, and you are super-charged? 

If you are a serious gamer, use it or lose it, because soon you will be back to normal, and the extra power disappears. 






Just like video games, we are halfway through elections, and you are super-charged.  You have the POWER OF ONE VOTE.  Use it or lose it, folks, after the polls close Oct.11, it will be back to normal. 




Winners only win when people with the POWER OF ONE VOTE, collectively use their POWER.



There are thousands of attorneys out there who hold the POWER don't waste your POWER of ONE VOTE.

Without an election, the Bar would simply appoint commissioners to represent you.  Don't waste your POWER.

Thanks to all those who have already used their POWER and voted for me!  Janise 




 

Alert!! Online Ballot Glitch & How to Solve It

Online ballots for the 3rd District Bar Elections were emailed to attorneys on Sept. 26 Attorneys reported to me that they did not get my campaign messages or their ballots from the Bar.  I did not get my own message or ballot and had to go and track it down so I could vote for myself-- and yes, it was a huge pain!

I reported the glitch to the Bar, but in the meantime, polls close Oct 11 at 5pm, so here is how to bypass the glitch and vote before the deadline:

1.  Check your email inbox, spam, and filtered mail for your ballot.
2.  If you can't find your ballot, call the Bar at (801) 531-9077 and tell them you want to vote and insist on assistance.  You're a lawyer, so keep on it, and cut through the red tape.
3.  VOTE for Janise Macanas (that's me) and make sure you get confirmation of your vote.
4.  Contact 5 of your friends and explain all of the above.

Since there is a glitch which apparently affects government attorneys and more, the best chance I have to win is by using the voting tree strategy, where friends tell friends and spread the word.  Please join the "Janise Macanas Voting Tree" and get the word out that voting has started and please track down your ballot.  Thanks to all my friends and peeps who are putting my election message on FB and Twitter and who are out there watching my back.

Below is a message that you can copy and paste in your email and send to your friends:

"Dear Friends,
My friend Janise Macanas is running for 3rd District Bar Commissioner.  She is qualified for the position and very hard working.  She will not raise bar dues and will watch out for us when important decisions are made.  Online ballots have already been emailed and voting runs from Sept 27 - Oct 11.  Attorneys are reporting that they have not received any election messages or their ballots.  If you cannot track down your ballot, call the Bar at (801-531-9077) and tell them you want to vote. To view Janise's campaign message visit http://www.utahbar.org/bar-operations/run-for-commission/3rd-division-candidacy-statement-janise-macanas/.  I am confident Janise will do her part to bring positive changes to the Bar once elected.  Please do your your part and help her win by voting.   I already voted for Janise and encourage you to do the same. 
Regards, -----"

Imagine the Future

I get asked almost daily, why would you want to run for THAT?

Imagine this possibility:

"The Utah Bar Center, conveniently located in Salt Lake City, is the home of the lawyers and judges of Utah. It is their professional gathering place. It is dedicated to serve all members of the Utah Bar and the public through the administration of justice in the highest traditions of the legal profession. All Utah lawyers are welcome to enjoy their new Center today and for many decades to come.

Utah Attorneys may reserve the Bar Center's conference rooms free of charge for law-related meetings (food, drinks, and coffee are also available at cost).

The Bar Center's Lawyers Lounge provides an attractive environment for attorneys who need a place to relax between court or meetings, have a fresh cup of coffee or juice, enjoy the daily newspaper, connect with friends, use our free notary services and wi-fi,or check phone or e-mail messages."

Do you like the sound of this future Utah Bar Center?  There are State bars like this one and this one are already providing these services. 

 







"Good ideas are common – what’s uncommon are people who’ll work hard enough to bring them about." ~ (Ashleigh Brilliant)

Remember to take time to vote, "the future you see is the future you get.” ~ (Robert G Allen)

P.S.  Elections are in progress, polls close October 11.  If you did not get your ballot, contact the Bar at (801) 531-9077.
 

U Law Extreme Makeover

The S. J. Quinney College of Law is getting an extreme makeover to the tune of $60 million.

If you have not been to the campus recently, things are quickly moving along in the construction zone.  The hardhats of Big D Construction have fenced off the site and a new law school structure is well underway.  This is what you see now, south of the main building as you look towards the stadium.  Parking near the school is pretty much non-existent.

To get to the main building and library, a nifty little ramp was constructed on the north side of the school to take you to the new entrance.  Once you get inside, things are pretty much the same. 

 

 

After seven years as the Dean of the College of Law, Hiram Chodosh left to be President of Claremont McKenna College, located 35 miles east of Los Angeles . . . . Chodosh has been gone since July 2013, but I kept feeling like he was looking over my shoulder. 

 

 

If you went to U Law and are feeling nostalgic, visit the campus soon and bid your farewell, changes are coming. 

 

 



 

A Little Introduction

Janise Macanas is an Assistant Attorney General with the Utah Attorney General’s Office Criminal Justice Division where she has practiced law for over fifteen years as felony prosecutor.  Janise received her J. D. from J. Reuben Clark Law School, a M.S. from Chapman University and has doctoral studies in Clinical and Counseling Psychology at United States International Univeristy-San Diego.  Janise has previously worked as a counselor, social worker, therapist, teacher, and adjunct professor at Utah Valley University.
 

Born and raised in Hawaii, Janise has been involved in various community, educational, and non-profit organizations and has a proven track record as a leader in the Utah legal community and as mentor to law students.  Janise most recently served as President of the Utah Minority Bar Association, member of the Utah Bar Ethics Advisory Opinion Committee, and currently serves at the Deputy President for Region XV of the Hispanic National Bar Association where she represents Utah attorneys at the national level.

Janise (right corner) "synergizing" with the Utah Minority Bar

 

 

A few trivia facts about Janise is that she was honored to receive the Utah Women of Achievement Award and was recently admitted to the United States Supreme Court.  Janise enjoys traveling around the globe with her family and sharing information relating to lawyering with the community and world at large.

 

Join 13,000+ followers on Twitter @lawyergirl3.

Read Janise's official campaign message  here.

 

Use the Back Door

If you walk into the Matheson courthouse and see one of these long snakey lines at the front, it means you are going to be about 15 minutes late.  How many times has this happened to you? 

 

 

I once saw friends L, D, & A come up to the front sidewalk of the courthouse, but instead of going in, they walked around the side to enter through the back door.  I asked why and they explained that coming in the back door saves time and the hassles of the long lines out front. 

This past summer, I started parking on the back side of the court, enjoyed the sunshine as I cut through the parking lot and came in the back door.  I rarely had to wait in line, the security detail went smoothly, and I felt very satisfied about my choice of using the back door, especially when I saw the snakey lines and lots of attorneys looking stressed at the front entrance.

I love hearing about simple things lawyers do to make work easier and stressfree.  So what's your favorite tip?  Synergize us!
 

 

 

Code Recycling

It's that time again, when my office gives me a new set of the Utah Code to use for the next year.  I feel guilty throwing out my old set which is usually in great condition.  I always wondered if there was an easy way to recycle these gently used editions.  Young lawyers, law students, and solo practitioners might like to have my old set but how would I find out who needed one?

Enter Synergy! 

If you need a 2012 set of the Utah State Code, let me know. 

If you have a set to recycle and share with others, let me know.

And if you have any tips to share about recycling and going more green, let us know. 

Umbrellas

My husband and I were invited to an outdoor wedding at Hidden Falls, and the guests got caught in a big torrential downpour.  Fortunately, I keep a black umbrella tucked away in my car trunk to use as we moved indoors. 

My attorney friend RV, now retired, gave me that black umbrella.  He had a few extras and offered me one as I hurried to court one rainy day. I asked why RV had so many umbrellas and he said, "you never know when a friend will need one, take it, it's yours." 



Over the years, I have found umbrellas to be a great office-friendly gift that is gender-neutral and reasonably priced.  Doesn't hurt to keep an umbrella or two tucked away in your car or office for rainy days and sharing.


" Whatever we possess becomes of double value when we have the opportunity of sharing it with others.” ~ Jean-Nicolas Bouilly
 

     

Free Notary Services?

I had to have a personal document notarized right away.  My bank offers free notary services, but I would have to wait until Saturday to get it done because it is not in Salt Lake.  The other option was to pay about $10 per document and get it done downtown.   







A very simple service that our Bar could offer is free notary services for Bar members.  This could be accomplished by having several notaries on staff at the Bar during regular business hours. 

Having free notary services at the Bar would save a few dollars and valuable time. Bars in other states, already offer the service.

If you feel the same way, this is an example of taking a good idea and working together (synergy) to make it happen so the whole group will benefit. 

"Good ideas are common – what’s uncommon are people who’ll work hard enough to bring them about." ~ (Ashleigh Brilliant)

As your elected representative, I will work hard to bring good ideas to life. 

 

 

 

Today was Good

Children adore anything by Dr. Seuss.   His magical way with words were silly and catchy, and made perfect sense. 

I recently found my worn out copy of One Fish, Two Fish, Red, Fish, Blue Fish . . .

and turned to this familiar jingle:



What a great tip!  Those silly fish reminded me that having a good day is important.  When you have a good day, then you want more good days ahead. 

As lawyers in this profession, we have demanding and stressful days at work.  We are by nature, competitive, perfectionists, and ambitious.  Finding balance and keeping a good perspective are key.  Work should not wear us out to the point that we forget about the other aspects of life that are fun and enjoyable.  Who wants to feel, act, and look worn out all the time?


So take a hint from those silly fish. . . what about today, was it good . . . was it fun? 



Synergize! us and share your lawyer tips for making the day a "good one."
 

Rock Your Vote NOW

From the Virtual Desk of Janise Macanas:

The reason behind this blog is to introduce myself as candidate for Third District Bar Commissioner.  I wanted to connect with thousands of voters fast and postage was too expensive to reach you.

Candidates usually canvas the neighborhood, knock on doors, and introduce themselves.  So today I am knocking on your virtual door with a blog, Synergy!




One day in court, my friend QT asked "why are running for THIS anyway?"  I said, "because I care." 

I want a Bar where Bar members feel connected and everyone knows your name. 
I hope to serve on the commission because I would like to see a few good changes in the way we practice law in Utah.

Putting myself out there got me out of my comfort zone of doing nothing about things I care about.  Please get out of your comfort zone and help decide the elected official who will represent you.  Vote and encourage your friends to vote too.  Ballots went out Sept 27 and polls are open until October 11.  


Together, we can synergize and shape the future. 
  


 

Group Interests First

"Ants are good citizens.  They place group interests first." ~ Clarence Day

When it comes to our Bar association, this quote makes perfect sense. 

As your elected Bar Commissoner, "group interests" will come first. 

Please remember to vote. 

 

Tracking Receipts

I was out to lunch with GQ at the Oasis Cafe and he needed to keep the lunch receipt to track his business expenses.  Rather than worry about folding it up, putting it in his wallet, then retrieving it later, he took out his iPhone and snapped a picture of it. 

Not many lawyers realize that the iPhone can be a useful tool if you have to track receipts.  Receipt tracking – the traditional way – is tedious. 

 

Instead check out OneReceipt, a popular mobile application that is free, simple, and covers it all. 

 

OneReceipt

 

You can just forward the receipts to your ‘@onereceipt.com’ account and don't worry again about cluttering up your purse or wallet and retrieving them all later at the end of the month. 

 

 

 

What mobile apps or tips do you use to track your receipts?

Get Synergized

Synergy means "working together" and happens when people with different yet complementary skills cooperate. 

In almost every industry, cooperation happens daily, so as lawyers in the Utah legal community, why not be synergized ?

The growing popularity of social media proves that people want to connect, share, collaborate, cooperate, and join together -- this appeals to me and I hope it appeals to you. 

I know you have ideas to share.  I can't want to hear from you.   

Synergy! (the blog), aims to remind us that working together is much more rewarding than working alone.    

Get Synergized!

 

Gym Membership vs. Bar Membership

How many of you belong to a gym? 



 


Please read my campaign statement about Gym Membership vs. Bar Membership.  There are a lot of things I hope to accomplish, if elected to represent you.  If you feel the same way, please make sure to vote!



P.S. Online ballots were emailed on Sept 26. If you did not get your ballot, the best solution is to contact the Bar at (801) 531-9077, tell them you want to vote, and insist on being helped. Polls are open until Oct 11 at 5pm. Don't give up on voting no matter how inconvenient the process, your vote is needed and will make an impact. Send a message to the Bar that you want a part in shaping the future and vote Janise Macanas for Commissioner.

 

Consider Blogging

Have you thought about starting a blog to grow your law practice?

Consider this:

"Blogs are powerful business development tools for attorneys and other professionals.

Blog posts create a written record of authentic thought leadership, opinion and authority, and dramatically expand the digital footprint of a firm or individual.

But more importantly, blogs enable attorneys to amplify and extend their networking with clients, prospective clients, and referral sources." 

The free do it yourself (DIY) tools out there are easy to use for first-time bloggers. 

If you like the look and feel of this blog, I used a free template from Blogger.

Blogging is also a great way to create synergy with your clients and extend your network.