Parsons Behle & Latimer (Parsons) congratulates Erik A. Christiansen, a leading “bet-the-company” litigation attorney at the firm, on receiving the Utah State Bar’s Ray S. Uno Award, which recognizes attorneys for leadership and service in advancing minorities in the legal profession.
Named in honor of the late Utah attorney Ray S. Uno, who started the Utah Minority Bar Association and served as a Third Judicial District Court Judge, the award celebrates lawyers who exemplify the highest standards of integrity and professionalism while making professional contributions to increasing diversity in the legal profession and eliminating bias in the judicial system.
“I am honored to receive this award,” said Christiansen. “Judge Uno was a giant in the legal community, and he helped create numerous opportunities for minority lawyers to be leaders in the Utah legal community, to serve on the bench and to gain public office,” said Christiansen. “At a time when there are forces pushing back on the historical gains of the civil rights movement, it is more important now more than ever to keep moving ahead and working harder to help foster a legal profession that reflects the demographics of our larger society.”
Christiansen has been a life-long ally of minority communities, including through his public service as a past president of the Utah State Bar and as a current member of the Board of Governors of the American Bar Association. Christiansen started the Utah Chapter of the American Bar Association’s Judicial Intern Opportunity Program, which provides paid judicial internships for 1L law students with state and federal judges. Christiansen, among other things, also has volunteered with the ABA’s Immigration Justice Project, assisting asylum seekers at the Otay Mesa Detention Center; and served on the ABA’s Legal Opportunity Scholarship Fundraising Committee, which helps provide law school scholarships to students from disadvantaged communities.
“Erik exemplifies the professionalism, integrity and dedication to service that the Ray S. Uno Award was created to recognize,” said Shawn C. Ferrin, Parsons’ CEO and chairperson . “His leadership within the legal profession, his commitment to mentoring and his exceptional work for clients make him highly deserving of this honor. We are proud to have Erik as part of our firm and congratulate him on this well-earned recognition.”
Parsons’ attorneys and staff join in congratulating Christiansen on this distinguished honor and thank him for his continued commitment to excellence in advancing minority communities in the legal profession and for his service to the community.
