Christine Durham, the chief justice of the Utah Supreme Court, has been given the 2007 William H. Rehnquist Award for Judicial Excellence by the National Center for State Courts.

One of the most prestigious judicial awards in the country, the Rehnquist award is bestowed each year on a judge who displays the highest levels of fairness, integrity and professional ethics.

Durham will officially be presented the award during a Nov. 15 ceremony in Washington, D.C., where it will be given to her by Chief Justice of the United States John G. Roberts.

"Chief Justice Durham has demonstrated her commitment to public service, judicial education and the cause of justice throughout her 25 years on the Utah Supreme Court," Roberts said.

Durham was picked by a nominating committee because of her leadership style and her efforts to improve judicial education in Utah and nationwide, according to NCSC President Mary C. McQueen. Durham has been especially effective in developing education in such areas as domestic violence, child witness testimony and scientific evidence.

"Those of us in Utah have long known the contributions that Chief Justice Durham has made, but it's wonderful to see her many accomplishments recognized at the national level," said Dan Becker, Utah State court administrator.

A former district court judge and adjunct professor at Brigham Young University, Durham was chosen for the Utah Supreme Court in 1982 and ten years later was named its chief justice.

She is a founding member of the National Association of Women Judges, served on the board of directors for the American Judicature Society, is on the Council of the American Law Institute, co-founded the Leadership Institute for Judicial Education at Memphis University, and is on the ABA's Council for Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar.

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