Economy hurting low-income legal help

Posted on April 2, 2009 by comm5775

by TYLER COBB

The legal organization “And Justice For All…” helps about 33,000 people every year who can’t afford legal advice. But with fewer donations coming in annually, the organization may have to find alternate ways to fund services.

Romaine Marshall, a board member and attorney for the firm Holland & Hart, said most of the organization’s donations come in from law firms and other corporations. However, it is seeing fewer donations with the economy suffering.

“It’s a real problem,” Marshall said. “We’ve got to be more aggressive in getting law firms and companies to donate.”

The organization, which combines work by the Disability Law Center, Legal Aid Society of Salt Lake and Utah Legal Services, has been around since 1998 to help people in need of legal representation. They help people who can’t afford legal services based on disability, poverty, age, migrant status or race, according to the “…And Justice for All” Web site.

Marshall said it also raises money through fundraisers such as hosting golf tournaments and other activities, or by sending board members out to help fund-raise.

“It’s forced me to go to other law firms to ask their firms to give donations to ‘…And Justice for All’,” Marshall said. “And we need to raise more.”

Kai Wilson, executive director for “…And Justice for All,” said the three main legal aid groups have made enormous progress in the past 10 years.

Since its inception, the organization has increased legal aid services to nearly 13 percent of the low-income population in Utah.

“[We’d] love to get to helping 20 percent of the low income in the state,” Wilson said.

The groups may in the future if numbers keep rising and alternate sources of income are located.

Marshall said the need is there, and the organization can do a lot of good if it continues. “The most common cases I’m seeing involve assistance,” Marshall said. “It’s going to families dealing with poverty issues, being evicted unlawfully; people who haven’t been properly helped and don’t know what to do.”

Since 1998, the “…And Justice For All” has been able to quadruple the amount of funding from the Utah State Bar’s membership. In 1998, only 5 percent of members donated to legal aid funds, but with the campaign, the amount rose to more than 30 percent, which adds up to about $400,000 every year.

Marshall said “…And Justice For All” expects the numbers of people requesting help to increase as well. “If we prorate the number of people who have asked for help this year, we will see that next year’s numbers will be much, much more,” Marshall said.

In the event donations drop off, Marshall and Wilson are looking for alternate ways to find resources. Part of the organization’s mission statement is to share and consolidate “resources so that services are delivered in a cost-efficient and effective manner, enabling service providers to serve additional clients,” according to the group’s Web site.

And many clients need the help. Some of their stories are posted on the Web site. A mother of three fled from Idaho to escape an abusive husband, who then followed her to Utah and hit her youngest child.

Police officers advised she get help from the Legal Aid Society of Salt Lake, which was able to help the woman obtain an ex parte protective order requiring her husband to stay away and assist financially.

“So many people need that legal help,” Marshall said.

Wilson said the problem is that many low-income families and people can’t afford legal services, which is where “…And Justice for All” steps in by raising the necessary funds.

The organization has plans to keep donations steady and keep increasing the number of people being helped every year.

“I haven’t been on the board for very long, but this is a good organization,” Marshall said. “I’m sure we’ll find a way to help everyone.”

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Danielle Murphy

Posted on April 2, 2009 by comm5775

in-times-square-21

MY STORIES:

MY BLOG:

Even though I am in my senior year as a Mass Communications student at the University of Utah, something about calling sources and writing stories scared me. Especially when I found out our clients would be low-income individuals with legal problems.

Getting a client that was specific to me, who had a story I was responsible to tell, was both exciting and horrifying. I delayed the first call to her for days, not knowing exactly how to conduct the interview. As time crept by, I felt more and more weight on my shoulders. So, I made the call. She answered on the fifth ring. The hardest part was over. We set up a time to talk on the phone, because between two jobs and nine grandchildren, her schedule was too busy to meet me in person.

We spoke for around 45 minutes. At the end of the conversation I felt so good. It was a huge stress relief and after 45 minutes on the phone, I genuinely liked my client and felt sympathetic toward her situation.

Monica’s situation was my first time writing a feature story. I loved being able to relate the details of someone’s life to a larger audience. It forced me to stretch my imagination and attempt a new writing style.

I am glad I got the chance to know Monica and help tell her story. I hope it will reach someone in a similar situation that can benefit from her experience.

ABOUT ME:

At the time of this posting, I am in my last semester before earning my bachelor’s degree at the University of Utah. My major is mass communication with an emphasis on news editorial; my minor is business.

I grew up in Orem, Utah, and completed the first half of my education at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. While there, I participated in a fine arts study abroad program in London and Paris. After starting an internship at the Utah Governor’s Office, I was offered a full-time job. So, I moved to Salt Lake and transferred to the University of Utah.

At the Governor’s Office I worked under Lieutenant Governor Gary R. Herbert on the Native American Summit, the Commission on Civic and Character Education and the End Cervical Cancer in our Lifetime campaign, as well as State Seal regulation and municipal boundary certification.

I worked in the Office of the Lieutenant Governor for more than two years before moving to New York for a semester-long internship. In New York, I worked as a fashion intern at W magazine. I returned from New York this past December and miss it terribly.

I currently work as an independent contractor doing marketing for a local greeting card company and consulting for a political action committee.

Upon graduation, I plan on exploring entry-level jobs at various magazines. I hope to end up as a magazine editor for a lifestyle/pop culture publication. I love fashion, politics, photography, reading, dance and film.

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Organization tackles legal issues for underprivileged

Posted on April 2, 2009 by comm5775

by DANIELLE MURPHY

More than 92,000 low-income households in Utah are affected by civil legal problems each year, including University of Utah students. One particular organization is working to help get voices heard.

“…And Justice For All” is an organization encompassing three groups of civil legal services: Disability Law Center, Legal Aid Society of Salt Lake, and Utah Legal Services.

Together, these organizations assist low-income and disabled individuals who often have nowhere else to turn.

One University of Utah student who uses a wheelchair ran into a dilemma last year when road construction on campus blocked the entry at his regular bus stop. This oversight forced the student to find a new route that took an additional 30 to 45 minuets every day. It also prohibited him from ever making it to class on time.

After calling the Disability Law Center, the problem was solved within a week and the student was able to return to his regular route.

“What may seem like a minor inconvenience to some became a major obstacle to my education,” said the student in an interview with “…And Justice For All.” “I am so glad there was someone at the DLC who could help me and that the University was eager to find a realistic, workable solution,” he said.

Most of the problems brought to the organization are very basic legal issues that impact everyday life. Certain individuals facing these problems are invited to utilize the organization’s services free of charge. The eligible individuals include those in poverty conditions, those with physical or mental disabilities, as well as those who are victims of domestic violence.

Kai Wilson, executive director of “…And Justice For All,” describes their typical caseload as issues “that impact what we all do every day, from the relationships we have … to how our houses are built and what landlords have to do to make sure we are in safe and stable housing.”

Since 1998, “…And Justice For All” has been striving to equalize the playing field for those in need. The services offered at “…And Justice For All” provide aid that Wilson estimates can improve the quality of nearly 20 percent of low-income households in Utah.

The United States legal system can seem complex and confusing. Wilson said only 13 percent of the households that are considered very poor are receiving help with their civil legal problems.

Wilson describes one of the goals of the program as self-advocacy. “…And Justice For All” emphasizes teaching people to fight for their own rights and showing them the necessary steps to take.

Often “…And Justice For All” partners serve by giving simple legal advice to those who need it. If necessary, however, the organization also has the capacity to represent clients in trials.

Of the individuals who contacted ULS last year, Wilson said only about 8,000 were represented at trial. In taking cases, needs are prioritized and those with the most pressing issues are assisted first. Domestic violence is one example of a pressing issue that is prioritized.

“…And Justice For All” acts as an umbrella organization to its affiliates. The combination of three of Utah’s existing legal aid services allowed all of the organizations to save money through shared logistics and staff support. This situation also benefits individual clients who need to utilize more than one of the three affiliate organization’s services.

“…And Justice For All” has an official mission to create and sustain resources to provide effective civil legal services while strengthening individual agencies in its distinct roles. Wilson estimates that together these organizations assisted around 36,000 people in 2008.

The government subsidizes 80 percent of funding for Utah Legal Services and Disability Law Center. Other sources of income include donations from members of the Utah State Bar in the form of monetary gifts and pro bono work. Fundraisers are held throughout the year to raise money for the program.

Assistance is also available to immigrants, refugees and American Indians in Utah through further affiliated organizations, such as Navajo Nation Legal Services (DNA), Catholic Community Services and the Multi-Cultural Legal Center.

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Getting affordable legal help

Posted on March 26, 2009 by comm5775

by EMILY A. SHOWGREN

Legal battles can often end up being expensive and during an economic crisis can make people want to stay in a bad situation. But what if you could go somewhere to receive affordable or even free legal help? What if you could represent yourself in court, cutting the cost and not having to trust someone else to tell your side of the story?

“…And Justice for All” is an organization that supports “free civil legal aid programs for Utah’s most vulnerable citizens – people living in poverty, individuals with disabilities, veterans, seniors, minorities and victims of domestic violence,” according to its Web site. The founding partners of the organization are the Disability Law Center, Utah Legal Services and the Legal Aid Society of Salt Lake (LAS).

“A priority issue of LAS is family law,” said Kai Wilson, executive director of “…and Justice for all.” “Only 13 percent of people living below the poverty line are getting help. It has become so pricey for people to get help.”

This is why LAS provides several free family law clinics in Salt Lake County. One is a “pro se” clinic where attorneys and volunteers can help an individual learn how to represent themselves in court. At the Self-Represented Family Law Litigant Clinic, people can receive instruction, answers to questions and help completing legal documents for civil legal proceedings. However, no legal advice is given at the clinic and there are a few conditions. The case has to be able to be filed in Salt Lake County, individuals must be low-income Utahns and it has to be a family-law matter such as custody, paternity, child support and/or divorce.

When filing for divorce last spring, Bryan Forsyth went to a costly attorney. “I went straight to my mom’s lawyer,” he said.

After a few months, he and his wife reconciled. He had no idea he could have represented himself in the divorce and cut down the cost that was later unnecessary. Forsyth said he possibly would have rethought going that route if he would have known there was another way.

“We started to set everything up online so I’m sure I could have handled representing myself,” Forsyth said.

He also could have used the clinic for information on the Utah mandatory divorce mediation. In Forsyth’s case, the divorce was contested and under Utah law a contested divorce requires at least one session of mediation.

The clinic provides a pamphlet with information regarding mediation. It informs readers about what mediation is, how to find a mediator, who pays for the mediator and other general questions regarding the process.

The assistance program for representing yourself in a divorce can help you address issues of the divorce. Included are: who gets the house, any pension plans and retirement accounts, debt payments, alimony, name change of spouse and custody.

Something that may come up in a divorce is determining the custody of children. You can also represent yourself for this type of case. However, the program will not allow you to enter information for more than six children. If this is the case, you may want to hire an attorney or complete your parentage papers somewhere else.

The clinic has several computers that can be used to complete the online programs for specific cases. Each program guides users through case-related questions. After the questions are answered, the required documents, complete with instructions, are created. Someone is always present at the clinic who can help with any questions you may have while filling out the online paperwork. The time it takes depends on circumstances but will usually require about an hour to complete. When the documents are completed, you can sign and file them with the court to start the process.

The clinic is held Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Matheson Courthouse, 450 S. State St., room W-15, in Salt Lake City. For more information and schedule changes, call (801) 238-7170.

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Emily A. Showgren

Posted on March 26, 2009 by comm5775

MY STORIES:at-the-beach

MY BLOG:

During our class interview with Stewart Ralphs, executive director of Legal Aid Society of Salt Lake, he emphasized how Legal Aid’s services can help those in need.  He also said that domestic violence cases are a high priority.

Domestic violence isn’t something that I have experience with firsthand but I know how prevalent it is these days. I also know how important it is for people who are being abused to know they aren’t alone.  That is why I chose to do my second news story about domestic violence and where people can go for help.

Our third news story, we were paired with a client who got help from the organizations working with “…And Justice for All.” We were to tell what organization they worked with and how they got help. All of our clients consented for us to interview and publish their stories. The client who I worked with is an amazing woman. Her case involved immigration, divorce and domestic abuse.

While writing her story, I felt empowered to tell it.  My fingers were flying over the keyboard. I couldn’t stop writing. I wanted my article to reach others. I tried to convey the emotions she had in her voice in order to put the reader in my shoes, having her tell the facts directly to them.

I’m glad that I had the chance to get my articles published, not just because it is important to me, but also because it is important for others to hear.

ABOUT ME:

Growing up, I never would have guessed that I would major in mass communication with an emphasis in public relations. I was extremely shy and wouldn’t ever talk to people who I didn’t know. That all changed in high school when I became head cheerleader. Yes, the quiet one was now the one who yelled the loudest!

I am currently a senior at the University of Utah. I will walk in May 2009 and officially graduate in August 2009. It has been a long and sometimes rough journey getting to this point. I spent time at four different local colleges but the U has been my favorite. I’m not going to lie, I was a little nervous my parents wouldn’t help me with tuition after I transferred to the U from their alma mater, BYU. However, my parents are amazing and have helped me throughout college.  I’m extremely grateful for that, especially since some of my amazing opportunities have been unpaid internships. I have earned the title “super intern” for completing four internships.

This May I will begin my fifth internship. The first two internships were with the Utah Senate and the third and fourth were with local sports teams. For the fifth, I will be working in the creative department at the local ABC/CW30 affiliate.

I’m excited to start the new internship and ecstatic to graduate. It was fun while it lasted but it has lasted too long and I’m ready to see what the future has in store!

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Bankruptcy on the rise in Utah

Posted on March 26, 2009 by comm5775

The Utah Legal Services provides free legal aid for citizens who want to file bankruptcy

by MICHELLE SCHMITT

Bankruptcy filings are on the rise in Utah as the entire nation copes with job loss, credit card debt and uncertain economic times.

Medical bills and loss of work that have led to credit card debt is a common thread that has sent many Utah families down the path to bankruptcy. Some worry about losing their car, and worse, losing their home.

“People are losing their jobs, that is why they are calling,” said Sylvia Bosen, a paralegal who works for the Utah Legal Services, an organization that provides legal help for low-income Utahns.

Utah Legal Services is an organization that assists in a wide array of legal help to direct citizens through the complicated court system. Bosen works in the bankruptcy division. She helps Utah Legal Services with necessary documents and even appoints lawyers, free of charge.

Bosen said many citizens do not understand certain rights and exemptions they may have. “A lot of them have equity in their home [and] they [are eligible] to get a certain amount,” she said.

Bosen said most of the calls she receives are from families, rather than from individuals. She said people are afraid they will lose assets essential to their family’s way of life.

“When a person or business find [themselves] in a financial pit from which [they] cannot escape without help, bankruptcy may be an alternative,” said Matthew Boley, chair of the bankruptcy section at the Utah State Bar .

Boley has participated in discussions with Utah Legal Services and the Utah Bankruptcy Lawyers Forum in an effort to encourage lawyers to participate in pro bono work.

Those who go to the Utah Legal Services will have to meet the eligibility requirements that are determined based on monthly income. Then, if qualified, a representative will walk the client through the bankruptcy process and offer a pro bono attorney to assist with documents and court.

Kai Wilson is the executive director of “…And Justice for All,” a nonprofit association that serves as an umbrella organization over Utah Legal Services, the Disability Law Center and the Legal Aid Society of Salt Lake. Wilson said Utah Legal Services faces some challenges.

“[There have been] huge drops in support from banks,” Wilson said, which causes worries because financial institutions usually provide a lot of monetary support for the legal organizations. In addition, state and federal budget cuts will most likely take even more money out of Utah Legal Services and the other legal aid foundations. Utah Legal Services receives about 80 percent of its budget from government grants.

It is important to provide these services because “so many people can’t get in [to the justice system],” Wilson said. “Our system of law is extraordinary, but access to it is very limited.”

According to a booklet published by Utah Legal Services and “…And Justice for All”, roughly 80 percent of low-income citizens are not aware of their option to acquire free legal assistance. And many of those who know about these services do not think they would qualify for help.

Bosen said as the rate of bankruptcy rises among citizens, it is important to understand available options. The right to file for bankruptcy as a tool to consolidate debt and seek financial relief is a legal alternative in difficult financial times.

She said many people don’t know their benefits and rights as citizens. A lot of individuals worry about being sent to jail for not paying bills and don’t understand that certain exemptions apply, like unemployment and retirement benefits.

“If a person or business receives competent bankruptcy advice and good representation, there should not be any mistakes,” Boley said. “Each individual, married couple or business that may be considering bankruptcy should consult with a qualified and experienced bankruptcy attorney that can explain the bankruptcy process, the costs in time, expense and credit and alternatives to bankruptcy.”

Utah Legal Services provides a bankruptcy hotline that Utahns can call to find basic information and learn about procedures and their rights: (801) 374-6766, ext. 3446.

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Michelle Schmitt

Posted on March 26, 2009 by comm5775

MY STORIES:p1000922

 
MY BLOG:

My journalism class at the University of Utah has required that I write about matters pertaining to “…And Justice for All,” which is an organization that helps low-income and disabled Utahns overcome legal issues. Prior to my assignments, I knew there were a number of people who do not have access to our legal system, but the breadth of the dilemma spread much wider than I had anticipated.

I always thought of filing for bankruptcy as something that happened to someone else, and to businesses much more than individuals. But as I learned while conducting research for my first story, this is not the case. Everywhere I go people are talking about the economy and how hard it is to find a job these days. It only makes sense that individuals are filing as well, out of desperation. The worth of finding such information via the media lies in providing the public with options. As for myself, I was surprised that there are so many people/organizations available to help everyday people with their financial woes.

In class we had the executive director of Legal Aid Society of Salt Lake, Stewart Ralphs, come and talk about their role as an organization that specializes in family safety. Throughout the course of his lecture one thing jumped out to me: domestic violence victims often must devise an escape route in the case that their abuser comes after them. This was a concept that was completely foreign to me, so I chose to pursue it further. My investigation led me to Ned Searle with the Utah office of domestic violence. He was incredibly helpful, offering me specifics and anecdotes pertaining to my topic. Searle was sympathetic and led me to think about how common this type of planning must be in our society; a scary reality, I think. That someone would have to go to such lengths to be protected from another, of whom they perhaps once thought of as a “loved one,” just seems so sad.

As my reporting continued I found myself at the Disability Law Center (DLC). I was astounded at the levels of assistance that is provided for the array of disabled individuals who live within any community. DLC stands up for the disabled as this group tries to hold down jobs, get around on public transportation and access the rights they are entitled to as American citizens. Janis Tetro, with DLC, told me working with the disabled has altered her perception. She said now she always notices when a building is not equipped with handicapped access.

The semester seems to have flown by, and I would be lying if I didn’t say I am excited for a break this summer, but during my short time as a reporter I have rekindled my desire to be voice for those without one. Talking to various people who are associated with “… And Justice for All” has reminded me about the goodness that can be found within a society. Lawyers are working pro bono and advocates are standing up for those who need a hand.

ABOUT ME:

I am a southern California native who moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, after high school to explore the Wasatch Mountains and snowboarding. I quickly grew to love Utah and now think of it as home. I study Political Science and Editorial Journalism at the University of Utah. My college experience has led me to complete three internships. One on the Matheson for Congress campaign; another as a reporter for KUER news, where I covered Utah’s legislative session; and the third took me to Washington D.C., where I worked in the communications department at the Democratic National Committee.

The internships were wonderful experiences. I was able to narrow down specific areas of interest and gain experience in a variety of political and journalistic arenas. I have always believed in journalists’ role as government watchdogs and hope to leave my college experience prepared to write about politics and social issues, and to provide a voice for the silenced and disenfranchised.

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Growing organization creates legal assistance for Utahns in need

Posted on March 26, 2009 by comm5775

by PATRICK HARRINGTON

“…With liberty and justice for all.” When the Rev. Francis Bellamy drafted those words in 1893, he intended that they be awarded not to only a select few, but everyone. Over time the ideal that he strode for began to fade just like the paper on which it was written.

Using the words of Bellamy’s “Pledge of Allegiance,” the organization “…And Justice For All” has created a web of pro bono legal assistance for those who cannot afford or understand it in an effort to truly restore “…liberty and justice for all” throughout the state of Utah. Due to massive federal funding cuts to legal services nationwide 13 years ago, “…And Justice For All” was created to offer pro bono legal services to Utah’s community as well as create fundraising opportunities. Leading the group is Kai Wilson. Wilson joined the program in its infancy and since then the organization has come to be a fundraising umbrella agency for Utah Legal Services, Disability Law Center and Legal Aid Society of Salt Lake.

“…And Justice For All” is the essential glue that binds the three legal bodies together by raising money, directing clients to the proper agency and attorney and educating people who need a legal edge but cannot afford consultation.

“The agencies offer help, anywhere from brief consultation to full representation in cases such as family law, disability claims, domestic violence cases and help with many other substantive matters,” Wilson said.

Although the attorneys in the agencies can fully represent their clients, many of them don’t need that amount of assistance. “Last year the agencies associated with ‘…And Justice For All’ assisted over 36,000 people,” he said.

Among the agencies, Utah Legal Services assisted 22,000 of those people, of which 8,000 received full legal representation in their cases.

The basis for the creation and continuation of “…And Justice For All” and its sister agencies is that people in the community who have the smallest voice and the least amount of resources typically need the most help with legal issues. Wilson said there is growing concern with the lack of legal access in America.

“Utah politicians are recognizing the problem that we face,” Wilson said. “One Utah lawmaker said that the state of the judicial system is that a lot of people are looking in at the party through the window, but can’t get in.”

Although the state and federal judicial systems are capable and accepting of pro se cases, self-representation may detract from the quality of judgment that a client may receive as opposed to having a qualified attorney.

Sharon Donovan is a prominent Salt Lake City family law attorney who served on the board of Legal Aid for six years and one year as agency president. Donovan also was recently named the Utah State Family Lawyer of the year.

“Legal needs should not be reserved only for wealthy or middle-class citizens,” she said. “The judicial system has no one to help all of the people that need it, nor the time to guide pro se clients while in the court of law. By having competent lawyers at no cost, the quality of judgment in the courtroom and the movement of the legal process is greatly improved.”

Within the past decade, “…And Justice For All” has grown from a grassroots organization to a respected and vital part of the legal community in Salt Lake City and Utah in general.

“As a part of being a lawyer, The Utah Rules of Professional Conduct  encourage any attorney to donate 50 hours of pro bono work a year or donate ten dollars in lieu of each hour to an agency providing legal aid to the poor,” Wilson said.

The agency is also seen as a great place to donate money, not only to help the community, but also provide tax deduction benefits to lawyers and firms in Salt Lake City. “Before the creation of the agency, only 5 percent of firms gave money to our cause; now over one-third of the Utah Sate Bar supports us financially,” Wilson said.

Although “…And Justice For All” has made strides in the legal community that were hard to imagine a decade ago, certain obstacles still remain.

“We would love to get to the point that we are helping as many people as more successful states, like Washington,” Wilson said.

What is stopping them now? “Money. It’s all about the money,” Wilson said. With funding from lawyers and private citizens alike, “…And Justice For All” could potentially meet its goal of increasing the number of clients who receive quality legal counsel and be a national leader in pro bono services within the next 10 years or less. To accomplish this, the organization plans to push forward with more fundraising and community involvement.

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Patrick Harrington

Posted on March 26, 2009 by comm5775

MY STORIES:n29008533_31673815_3097

MY BLOG:

Throughout this class, I was able to talk to a lot of interesting people about topics that I would not really have pursued otherwise. My focus throughout the latter part of the semester was showing how autistic students and their families deal with situations during their time at school.

This problem was one that I had thought of before, because I have had friends with autistic siblings, but I never jumped into the topic. I have always known that people with autism face challenges that others don’t, but I never knew about the extensive help that they receive from the government and local agencies. I was fortunate to have worked with people who were very cooperative and helpful when I called them for interviews.

I felt that by calling someone like Faith Wallin, who has an autistic child named Thomas, I would be intruding. That certainly was not the case. Faith was so helpful and open about telling me Thomas’ story about how his school didn’t handle his autism properly. I spoke with her on the phone for nearly an hour and I learned so much from her, when I was expecting to get turned away.

I think that is what journalism is about. Journalism is about education, letting the public know about something that would be hidden from them otherwise. By just having the guts and confidence to call a stranger and have a heartfelt conversation with them, instead of a cut and dry interview, makes the pursuit of journalistic writing totally worth the effort.


ABOUT ME:

I am a 21-year-old junior at the University of Utah. I am currently declared as a mass communication major.

I grew up in Utah, starting out in the mountainous climes of Summit County. I spent the first 10 years of my life living just outside of Park City in a small town by the name of Wanship. I lived on a small working ranch, even while my dad was a reporter for the ABC affiliate in Salt Lake City, doing national stories for them as well. My mother was also working in Salt Lake City as an attorney. The commute got a little bit old for them, so we then moved to Salt Lake City.

I was fortunate throughout my life that I was able to travel a lot. I think the fact that my father was a journalist and the amount of traveling I did growing up really influenced me to pursue a career in journalism/photography. I have traveled extensively through the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Central America, Scandinavia and Europe. All of the traveling has made me realize there is so much potential for journalistic endeavors and stories across the globe, and many of them are untapped.

I was a member and an editor of my high school newspaper at Judge Memorial Catholic High School. As part of that staff, I established my love for journalism. As a sophomore, I gained an interest in photography. Eight cameras, millions of frames and seven photo classes later, my love of photography has been solidified, and remains one of my biggest passions in life. In addition to photography, I have an undying love for the mountains and the ocean. I am an avid snowboarder and sailor, both of which have taken me to some of the most spectacular places in the world. The fascinating thing about all of these activities that I am interested in is they all can be connected through the medium of journalism.

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Madison Murphy

Posted on March 26, 2009 by comm5775

MY STORIES:photo-121


MY BLOG:

Belinda Hartranft was my client for two of my articles, and she is amazing. She is a loving and productive mother who really seems to care for everyone around her. You can tell she is a passionate and wonderful person because although her ex-husband cheated on her, she still stands tall enough to accept that he moved on. She didn’t criticize him at all.  She continues to be good friends with him, and talks to him each day. I was so impressed, and I feel so lucky that I got to meet such an amazing person.

I interviewed other people who have divorced, and each woman was a strong and mature person. They really helped me understand how divorce can be such a positive experience rather than a negative one. Of course, separation will always be painful, but it can also give you a chance to see the situation at a different angle. Edye Wagstaff, a strong family woman and member of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, divorced and began to understand how stubborn she was being. She remarried her ex-husband and unified her family. Shannon Cheney is an old neighbor and friend of mine. Her ex-husband has been a painful person to maintain a friendship with, yet she is constantly positive about her situation, and hopeful for the happiness of her daughters. Every one of these women are filled with sense, passion, gumption, and love.

This experience has been an extraordinary one, and I cannot wait to pursue my dream of being a journalist. I know there is an unlimited amount people and stories out there, just waiting to be revealed.

ABOUT ME:

After meeting me people will often say I am news broadcast material. Although I try not to succumb to the opinions of others, these comments are what have driven me to become a journalist. In high school I was an anchor for our broadcast team. I developed a friendship with a celebrity attending my high school, and lucky for me, he attracted broadcast stations from across the nation. I was able to meet and interview members from Good Morning America, MTV, and Big Buddha from Fox News. I won regional competitions with my news stories, and competed with students across the nation. Now, only a year later, I am a student majoring in journalism at the University of Utah.

Because the completion of my associate’s degree was in sync with receiving my high school diploma, I have been able to jump right into my BA major at the age of 18. Although this has been an adventure, the time I saved is time I could have well spent by gaining experience in journalism. The majority of my classmates already  work in newsrooms including the University of Utah’s Daily Utah Chronicle. Currently I have been working on covering the Utah State Court System and legal aid services through my college courses. I have written articles about the Ouelessebougou-Utah Alliance concerning doctors and nurses who fly to Mali to give aid, as well as the cynical views of pop artist Steve Stones. And yet, these stories are just the beginning of my career as a journalist. More experiences still await me.

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