Assistant U.S. Attorney Barbara Bearnson has been named the 2009 Christine M. Durham Woman Lawyer of the Year.

"Her breadth of experience, demonstrated skills and strong work ethic are respected and valued by colleagues in her office and peers throughout the legal community," said the Women Lawyers of Utah in giving Bearnson the award, named after the chief justice of the Utah Supreme Court. Durham spoke to the group at its annual "Fireside Chat" in late April.

Bearnson has prosecuted criminal cases with the U.S. Attorney's Office for 15 years. She was deputy chief of the violent crimes section and chief of the general crimes and white-collar section before being promoted in 2006 to be chief of the criminal division, overseeing all federal criminal prosecutions in Utah.

Her legal career began in 1983, prosecuting felony and misdemeanor cases for the Salt Lake County Attorney's Office. She was assigned to the special victims team, prosecuting child abuse, sexual assault and other violent crimes. She moved to the Utah Attorney General's Office in 1988, where she worked in the criminal appeals section and helped found the child abuse protection unit.

Bearnson's concern for victims of violent crimes extends beyond the courtroom, the Women Lawyers association noted. She has been on the Salt Lake City YWCA board for many years and, a mother herself, has promoted flexible work arrangement for attorneys with young children.

Mike Gorrell