Legally Speaking

Attorney General’s Office Litigation Division

Of all the divisions in the Attorney General’s Office, Litigation is one of the most foundational. The director of our Litigation Division, Joni Jones, describes what our attorneys do and how it affects Utah. 

Managing Gray Wolves in Utah

The State of Utah would like to follow its wolf management plan but there is a delay. There are conflicting court rulings about whether gray wolves should remain on the endangered species list. The stakes to ranchers and hunters is high as the case is appealed. We speak to Assistant Attorney General Jason DeForest about what the appeal means to Utah.

Hiring and Keeping Attorneys in the AGO: The Realities our Office is Facing

The Utah Attorney General’s office is facing a challenge both hiring and retaining attorneys, the life blood of our productivity. Why is this happening? We speak to the Director of our Litigation Division who gives us first hand information about the situation.

NW Band of the Shoshone Nation v. Idaho with Lance Sorenson

Utah argued in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit that the Northwestern Band of Shoshone Nation be allowed to hunt and fish on their ancestral territory. Assistant Solicitor General Lance Sorenson explains why the case is in court, what it means to the NW Band of the Shoshone Nation and describes the historical background of this case. 

Indian Child Welfare Act with Larry Echohawk

Larry Echohawk, Advisor to the Utah Governor and Utah Attorney General's Office for Indian Affairs, explains the origins of the Indian Child Welfare Act, the current Supreme Court challenge to it, and the arguments for and against proposed legislation to make the Utah Indian Child Welfare Act a state law. 

Human Trafficking

Many Utahns do not realize that human trafficking is a growing and tragic crime that’s happening in our communities. It’s invisible to most people. That’s why we’re speaking with Mick Spilker, the commander of the Utah Trafficking in Persons Task Force (UTIP), to find out more about the perpetrators and the victims.

Holiday Scams with Consumer Protection

During the holidays, many people are generous with gifts – and with money to those in need, but a darker side emerges with scammers who regularly take advantage of that generosity. So how can people protect themselves? Richard Piatt speaks with Katherine Hart from the Division of Consumer Protection for some guidelines.

Utah@Ease Program for Veterans

Serving the Veterans of our state is a priority for the Utah Attorney General’s Office. We have dedicated resources to provide pro-bono legal services through the Utah@EASE program, a public-private partnership. Larry Schmidt, the Director of Utah@Ease, works at the VA and describes the program and some of the benefits available to the Veterans of Utah.