The Evolution of Women’s Legal Practice in Utah: Lessons for Today’s Lawyer
DATE: Tuesday, March 24 2026
TIME: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm MST
LOCATION: Virtual Event
ABOUT THE EVENT:
This program will feature a panel of four alumnae from the S.J. Quinney College of Law to discuss barriers they have faced, where progress has occurred, where gaps remain, and how today’s lawyers can continue to advance access and equity.
ABOUT THE PANELISTS:
Shelby Jaye Hughes
Shelby Jaye Hughes is a senior associate at Pia Hoyt focusing on business, construction, and real estate disputes, representing clients in matters involving contracts, trade secrets, employment, and land use, including advocacy before Utah’s appellate courts. She has also represented court-appointed receivers managing a $23 million receivership estate. Shelby is the Past President of the University of Utah Young Alumni Association and serves on the board of Women Lawyers of Utah as Retreat Committee Co-Chair. Outside of work, she enjoys running, skiing, football, and spending time with her husband, son, and rescue dog, Sofie.
Erika Larsen is a Juvenile Law Clerk Attorney at the Utah State Courts and is one of only 3 staff attorneys advising and supporting the entire juvenile court administration team and judiciary statewide. Prior to joining the courts, Erika spent 7 years as a civil litigation trial attorney with a diverse practice representing clients in a wide range of disputes, including complex corporate and commercial litigation. She currently serves as the executive secretary to the Young Alumni Association board and is a past executive secretary for the board governing the Young Lawyers Division section of the Utah State Bar. Erika is an animal lover as well as an avid thespian, periodically joining community theatre productions around the valley to keep her performance spark alive.
Anne Freeland (’07)
Anne is a litigation attorney at Michael Best. She represents clients in a wide range of business disputes and regulatory matters. Anne is the current president of Women Lawyers of Utah. She has also served on the board of Rocky Mountain Innocence Center and the Utah State Bar Litigation Section. Outside of work, Anne enjoys snowboarding, mountain biking, and traveling with her two sons and husband.
Susan Taylor Hansen
Susan was among the first 100 women admitted to the Utah Bar. Over a distinguished career in environmental law—primarily with Cooper, Spong and Davis in Portsmouth, Virginia—she represented public agencies, developers, and property owners in complex environmental matters while also serving in leadership roles with the Portsmouth Planning Commission, the Virginia Board of Soil and Water Conservation, and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. Now back in Utah, Susan enjoys time with her family—including a daughter who is a University of Utah Law alum—and spends her free time skiing, cycling, and developing her craft as a ceramicist.
For questions about this event, email events@law.utah.edu.
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The S.J. Quinney College of Law is pleased to provide CLE opportunities for attorneys. All donations welcome to support our programs.