On Nov. 3, 2023, at the Women Lawyers of Utah (WLU) Annual Retreat, Parsons Behle & Latimer attorney Katherine E. Venti was honored as the recipient of the WLU Mentoring Award for 2023. The award has been given annually since 2009. The WLU presents the Mentoring Award to an individual who has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to mentoring lawyers in the Utah legal community. Criteria of the award include a recipient who serves as a role model to women lawyers in the community; fosters the development and advancement of women lawyers; and significantly contributes to the profession and the community through those efforts. Venti is a shareholder and litigation practice team member in Parsons Behle & Latimer’s Salt Lake City office.
“I am very grateful to be recognized by WLU,” says Venti. “Over the years, I have seen so many accomplishments, advancements and progress made by women in the legal profession. If any bit of mentoring I have done perpetuates that progress, I am delighted, honored and privileged.”
Not only has Venti taken a leadership role within Parsons as past (and first female) chairperson of one of the largest litigation practice groups in the Intermountain West, she also currently serves as a diversity, equity & inclusion committee member, chairs Parsons’ recruiting committee and is spearheading a transformation of the firm’s hiring process.
Outside the firm, Venti is well known for her leadership and mentoring efforts within the legal profession. She currently serves as a mentor with the Utah State Bar Association’s New Lawyer Development program and has served in a multitude of leadership roles in the legal community, including:
· Past member, Advisory Committee for the Utah Rules of Professional Conduct
· Vice Chairperson, Ethics and Discipline Committee of the Utah Supreme Court
· Past Member, Utah Bar Character and Fitness Committee
· Chairperson, Local Rules Advisory Committee for the United States District Court, District of Utah
Venti has also dedicated years of her career to advocating generally for women in Utah, including a seven-year term as board member, vice chairperson and chairperson of the Planned Parenthood Association of Utah and as chairperson of the transition committee. She also dedicated her time to serve as a board member and vice chairperson of the Board of Directors for YWCA Utah. She chaired the transition to replace the long-running YWCA CEO following the CEO’s retirement and as a mentor and connector for the YWCA’s young women’s leadership development program YWEmpowered, that provides professional training for young women between the ages of 18 – 35.
Colleague and current department Co-chairperson of Parsons’ litigation practice team Brandon Mark says, “Not only is Katherine Venti a lawyer's lawyer—chosen by her peers and federal judges to lead a committee revising the local federal rules—she has been a leader both in the legal community and in our broader civic community for years. Among her many past accomplishments, Ms. Venti has helped lead a non-profit organization providing critical healthcare access in Utah as well as Parsons Behle & Latimer's litigation department, the largest group of litigators in Utah. Ms. Venti has managed all these challenges with her usual grace, wit and wisdom, always eager to share her knowledge with the next generation of attorneys. Ms. Venti continues to mentor me in my role as litigation department co-chairperson, and her feedback and advice is always valuable. I cannot think of anyone more deserving of this recognition than Ms. Venti.”
To learn more about Katherine E. Venti, click, here.
