Ballard Spahr Recognized Twice at Utah Minority Bar Association Scholarship & Awards Banquet

Ballard Spahr was recognized twice at the October 24 Utah Minority Bar Association (UMBA) 2019 Scholarship & Awards Banquet.

Jacey Skinner, who is Litigation Of Counsel and whose practice focuses on government relations and public policy, was given the Jimi Mitsunaga Excellence in the Law Award. Ms. Skinner has served as General Counsel to Utah Governor Gary R. Herbert and as Deputy State Court Administrator for the State of Utah, among other roles in state government. She received the award for her work for the governor and, since leaving the governor's office, her advocacy for the appointment of diverse attorneys to the Utah bench. The honor is named after one of Utah's first minority attorneys and is given in recognition of "substantial contribution toward the mission and purpose" of UMBA.

The same evening, the firm received the Pete Suazo Community Service Award for its pro bono representation of two Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients who have petitioned the Utah Supreme Court for admission to the Utah State Bar. The award is named for Senator Pete Suazo, who was Utah's first Hispanic state senator, and is given to "a member of the community (whether lawyer or non-lawyer) who serves minority communities." This is the first time UMBA has honored a law firm with this award. Litigation Partner Anthony C. Kaye, who is lead counsel on the DACA matter, and Litigation Associate Nathan R. Marigoni accepted the award on behalf of the firm.

"We are thrilled that UMBA is honoring Jacey and the firm for our efforts to increase diversity among the ranks of Utah's judiciary and its practicing lawyers," said Salt Lake City Managing Partner Mark Gaylord. "Our civic involvement is something that really sets our office apart from other law firms, and occasions like this show that work is being recognized and rewarded."