The Nature Of What We Offer

When clients access the depth of resources we offer, they receive collective knowledge that can become an integral part of their corporate or litigation strategy. The benefits of streamlining many, if not all, of your legal needs through the resources of Parr Waddoups include a more expansive understanding of your business, enhanced responsiveness, and improved communications. The end result is cost-effective and manageable legal services.

A Multi-Faceted Approach To Service

As part of our multi-faceted approach to service, Parr Waddoups provides legal expertise to meet the ever-changing needs of our commercial clients. In each practice and industry area, our lawyers have amassed a sophisticated and extensive level of legal expertise.

Free resources clients may choose to take advantage of include Law Alerts, Articles, and the Freedom of Information Hotline for journalists. Each is described below.

Law Alerts and Articles

Parr Waddoups lawyers keep clients informed with periodic updates in important laws through articles on topics of interest. To be notified of changing laws and new articles, please complete our request for legal information and be sure to include your areas of interest. You'll receive an email when we have new information for you.

Freedom of Information Hotline

In 1992, Parr Waddoups established and has since operated the free Utah Freedom of Information Hotline (FOI) for members of the Utah Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. Any working journalist in Utah may make hotline inquiries.

The Utah Freedom of Information (FOI) Hotline provides free legal assistance, 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week to Utah journalists seeking access to government records, meetings and judicial proceedings. Parr Waddoups operates the Hotline as a public service and receives no compensation for this legal service.

In recognition of its operation of the FOI Hotline and defense of the First Amendment in Utah, Parr Waddoups was awarded the First Amendment Award by the National Society of Professional Journalists.

For specific questions see Utah Code ann. 52-4-1 et seq., call the Utah FOI Hotline at (801) 532-7840 or (800) 574-4546, or send us an email.

To obtain records under the Government Records Access and Management Act (GRAMA), complete a request form from the Utah State Office of the Attorney General. This site also includes links to other resources, including the Utah Media Law Handbook (co-edited by Parr Waddoups media and First Amendment attorney Jeff Hunt).

Any working journalist in Utah may make inquiries. When phoning the Hotline, identify yourself upfront as a Hotline caller. The operator will then direct you to a Hotline attorney. Identify yourself to the attorney and state the media organization, if any, you represent. Describe your problem.

• Parr Waddoups lawyers answering the Hotline will field questions about access to public records, public meetings and the courts, as well as cameras in the courtrooms, gag orders and prior restraints.
  

• The Hotline does not deal with libel and slander issues, search warrants, trespass, subpoenas or privacy law. Reporters are advised to consult with attorneys from their respective news organizations for assistance in these areas.

• Most access issues can be resolved during the initial phone consultation. Occasionally, the Hotline attorney may need to research the question before providing information to the journalist.

• If necessary, Parr Waddoups Hotline attorneys will make phone calls or write letters in an attempt to resolve access disputes.

• Litigation and representation before administrative bodies such as the State Records Committee are not included within the scope of the Hotline service. If litigation appears necessary, the reporter will be advised to consult his or her news organization to determine whether it desires to initiate a lawsuit and bear the legal fees and costs associated with such litigation.

Summary of the Utah Open and Public Meetings Act:

Notice of meetings must be posted 24 hours in advance. The act does not require any meeting to be closed. The public body cannot take action in a closed meeting.

Before convening in closed session the public body must vote on it in an open meeting. A two-thirds majority must approve the motion.

Reasons for holding a closed session:
Meetings may be closed for six reasons (UCA 52-4-5 (1)):

1. Discussion of the character, professional competence or physical or mental health of an individual.
   
   
2. Strategy sessions related to collective bargaining.
   
   
3. Strategy sessions related to litigation.
   
   
4. Strategy sessions related to the purchase, sale, exchange, or lease of real property.
   
   
5. Discussion of the deployment of security personnel or devices.
   
   
6. Investigative proceedings regarding allegations of criminal misconduct.

If you suspect a meeting is about to be illegally closed, stand up, state your name and cite the reason for your concern. Ask that your comments become part of the meeting's record. If possible, ask for time to call the Utah FOI Hotline.