Judicial Biographies

Here are short biographical sketches of all the judges up for retention in 1996, in alphabetical order.

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John R. Anderson

Judge John R. Anderson was appointed to the Eighth District Court in August 1992 by Governor Norman H. Bangerter. He serves Daggett, Duchesne, and Uintah Counties. Judge Anderson received his law degree in 1966 from the University of Utah College of Law. He was with the firm of Beaslin, Nygaard, Coke and Vincent for many years when he practiced law in Salt Lake City. Judge Anderson practiced law in Vernal, Utah from 1980 to 1987 with the same law firm. In 1987 he became a partner with the law firm of Beaslin and Anderson. He remained there until his appointment to the bench. Judge Anderson served as a Vernal City Councilman from 1988 to 1991.

Lyle R. Anderson

Judge Lyle R. Anderson was appointed to the Seventh District Court in December 1992 by Governor Norman H. Bangerter. He received his law degree from the University of Chicago Law School in 1982. He was affiliated with the firm of Anderson & Anderson from 1982 to 1992 and was Grand County Attorney 1991-92. He was elected to the Utah House of Representatives in 1992.

John C. Backlund

Judge John C. Backlund was appointed to the Fourth Circuit Court in July 1983 by Gov. Scott M. Matheson. He serves Juab, Millard, Utah, and Wasatch Counties. He received his law degree from the University of Utah College of Law in 1974. He was in private practice from 1974 to 1979 and he was a partner in the law firm of Young, Backlund, Harris & Carter from 1979 to 1982. He served as City Attorney for Pleasant Grove, Alpine, Lindon, Elk Ridge, and Woodland Hills. Judge Backlund is a former member of the Court Reorganization Committee, a former chair of the Misdemeanor Reclassification Committee, and a former member of the State Courts Capital Facilities Task Force. He is presently serving as chair of the Board of Circuit Court Judges.

Parley R. Baldwin

Judge Parley R. Baldwin was appointed to the Second Circuit Court in June 1987 by Gov. Norman G. Bangerter. He serves Weber, Davis, and Morgan Counties. He received his law degree from the University of Utah College of Law in 1972. Judge Baldwin was a partner in the Ogden law firm of Browning, Blackburn & Baldwin and Assistant Corporate Counsel to Ogden City. He is Past Presiding judge of the Second Circuit Court and is presently serving on the Judicial Council.

Russell W. Bench

Judge Russell W. Bench was appointed to the Utah Court of Appeals in January 1987 by Gov. Norman H. Bangerter. He received his law degree from the University of Utah College of Law in 1976 and his M.P.A. degree from Brigham Young University in 1985. He was a central staff attorney for the Utah Supreme Court and served a judicial clerkship there. He also was in private practice and was a special Assistant Attorney General. He served as the presiding judge of the Court of Appeals from 1989 to 1992 and is currently a member of the Judicial Council's Technology Committee and the judiciary subcommittee of the Governor's Council on Substance Abuse and Anti-Violence.

Judith M. Billings

Judge Judith M. Billings was appointed to the Utah Court of Appeals in January 1987 by Gov. Norman H. Bangerter. She was a Judge in the Third District Court for four years. She received her law degree from the University of Utah College of Law in 1977 and an LLM from the University of Virginia Law School in 1990. She was a partner in the Salt Lake law firm of Ray, Quinney & Nebeker until her appointment to the bench. She serves as a faculty member of the National Judicial College and an Adjunct Professor at the University of Utah College of Law. She is past chairman of the Judicial Council's Child Support Task Force and is President of the National Association of Women Judges. Judge Billings was honored as the Utah Woman Lawyer of the Year in 1990 and received the Distinguished Alumni Award from the College of Humanities, University of Utah in 1993.

William B. Bohling

Judge William B. Bohling was appointed to the Third District Court in June 1993 by Gov. Michael O. Leavitt. He serves Salt Lake, Summit, and Tooele Counties. He received his law degree from the University of Utah College of Law in 1978. He also received an M.A. in Economics from Texas Tech University in 1977 and an LLM from the University of Michigan in 1978. Judge Bohling was a trial attorney with the United States Department of Justice Antitrust Division from 1968 to 1971, and a law professor at Texas Tech University School of Law from 1973 to 1978. He was in private practice in Salt Lake City from 1971 to 1973 and from 1979 until his appointment to the bench. He was named the Utah State Bar's Distinguished Lawyer of the Year in 1993. Judge Bohling presently serves as the chair of the Judicial Council's Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee.

Robert T. Braithwaite

Judge Robert T. Braithwaite was appointed to the Fifth Circuit Court in July 1987 by Gov. Norman H. Bangerter. He became a District Court Judge in January 1992. He serves Beaver, Iron, and Washington Counties. He received his law degree from the University of Utah College of Law in 1976. He was in private practice and served as City Attorney for Cedar City, Parowan City, and Springdale, and as Deputy Iron County Attorney. He is a former member of the Board of Circuit Court Judges.

Pat B. Brian

Judge Pat B. Brian was appointed to the Third District Court in May 1987 by Gov. Norman H. Bangerter. He serves Salt Lake, Summit, and Tooele Counties. He was a Deputy District Attorney in California, an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Alaska and a partner in the law firm of Nielsen & Senior. He received his law degree from Vanderbilt University in 1965. He has served as a member of the Child Abuse Task Force, the Utah State D.U.I. Revision Commission, and the Utah State Victim Restitution Commission. He currently serves as a member of the Statewide Grand Jury Panel of Judges and the Utah State Bar Fee Arbitration Committee. He is a Master in the Inns of Court and an adjunct professor at Brigham Young University Law School.

Guy R. Burningham

Judge Guy R. Burningham was appointed to the Fourth District Court in December 1992 by Governor Norman H. Bangerter. He serves Juab, Millard, Utah, and Wasatch Counties. He received his law degree from the University of Utah College of Law in 1973. Prior to his appointment to the bench Judge Burningham served as Chief Deputy County Attorney, Civil Division; at the Utah County firm of Burningham and Taylor from 1975 to 1977. Judge Burningham is a member of the Grand Jury Panel of Judges, the Court Technology Committee, and the Task Force on Collection of Victim Restitution and Court Ordered Debt.

Michael K. Burton

Judge Michael K. Burton was appointed to the Third Circuit Court in July 1983 by Gov. Scott M. Matheson. He serves Salt Lake, Summit, and Tooele Counties. He received his law degree from Brigham Young University College of Law in 1976. From 1973 to 1982 he was a Prosecutor and City Attorney for Sandy City and he was a Deputy Salt Lake County Attorney from 1982 until his appointment to the bench. Judge Burton served as chair of the Board of Circuit Court Judges from September 1992 until September 1994, when he was elected to the Judicial Council. He is a former member of the Judicial Branch Education Standing Committee and the Curriculum Planning Committee.

James Z. Davis

Judge James Z. Davis was appointed to the Utah Court of Appeals in December 1993 by Gov. Michael O. Leavitt. He received his law degree from the University of Utah College of Law in 1968. He served in military intelligence in the U.S. Army until 1970. Judge Davis was in private practice from 1971 to 1977, Deputy Weber County Attorney and Weber County Police Legal Advisor from 1973 to 1982, a partner in Thatcher, Glasmann & Davis from 1977 to 1982, and a shareholder and director at Ray, Quinney & Nebeker from 1982 until his appointment to the bench. Judge Davis was president of the Utah State Bar in 1991-92.

Lynn W. Davis

Judge Lynn W. Davis was appointed to the Fourth Circuit Court in April 1987 and the Fourth District Court in June 1992 by Governor Norman H. Bangerter. He serves Juab, Millard, Utah and Wasatch Counties. He received his law degree from J. Reuben Clark College of Law at Brigham Young University in 1976. From 1976 to 1979 he was in private practice and served as a deputy Utah County Attorney from 1979. He is a member of the Supreme Court's Advisory Committee on the Code of Professional Conduct. He is a past chair of the Board of Circuit Court Judges and is currently a member of the Board of District Court Judges. He is the chair of the Utah State Court Interpreter and Translation Committee and also serves on a national Advisory Committee on Court Interpretation.

J. Philip Eves

Judge J. Philip Eves was appointed to the Fifth District Court in April 1987 by Gov. Norman H. Bangerter, after serving as a Judge in the Ninth Circuit Court for two years. He serves Beaver, Iron, and Washington Counties. He received his law degree from the University of California at Davis in 1973 and served as a Ventura County Deputy District Attorney from 1973 to 1978. He was in private practice from 1978 until his appointment to the bench, also serving as a Deputy Iron County Attorney and Parawan and Enoch City Attorney. Judge Eves is the Presiding Judge in the Fifth District Court and a member of the Judicial Council where he serves as the chair of the Policy and Planning Committee.

Dennis M. Fuchs

Judge Dennis M. Fuchs was appointed to the Third Circuit Court in December 1986 by Gov. Norman H. Bangerter. He serves Salt Lake, Summit, and Tooele Counties. He received his law degree from Boston University School of Law in 1973. He worked for the Law Enforcement Assistance Administration from 1974 - 1977. He was a Deputy Attorney in the Salt Lake County Attorney's Office from 1977 to 1981, and he was in private practice from 1981 - 1983. From 1983 to 1986, Judge Fuchs served on the Utah State Board of Pardons and was Chairman from 1985 to 1986. He is a member of the Supreme Court Ethics Advisory Committee, the Court Technology Committee, and the Board of Circuit Court Judges.

Michael J. Glasmann

Judge Michael J. Glasmann was appointed to the Second District Court in July 1992 by Governor Norman G. Bangerter. He serves Davis, Morgan, and Weber Counties. Judge Glasmann received his law degree from the University of Utah College of Law in 1979. He received the David T. Lewis Award for outstanding performance in the Prosecutor Intern Clinical Program. He worked as a Deputy County Attorney for Weber County, leaving in 1982 to join the law firm of Thatcher & Glasmann. He remained at the firm (which merged in 1985 with VanCott, Bagley, Cornwall & McCarthy) as a shareholder and officer manager for the firm's Ogden office until his appointment to the bench.

Pamela T. Greenwood

Judge Pamela T. Greenwood was appointed to the Utah Court of Appeals in January 1987 by Gov. Norman H. Bangerter. She received her law degree in 1972 from the University of Utah College of Law. Judge Greenwood served as general counsel and vice president of First Interstate Bank of Utah for seven years. She was counsel for the Utah State Bar from 1977 to 1980 and an attorney with the law firm of Roe and Fowler from 1976 to 1977. She is a past president of the Utah State Bar, was a member of the Gender and Justice Task Force, and is presently a member of the Child Support Guidelines Advisory Committee. Judge Greenwood is a member of the Judicial Council and serves on the Management Committee. She is currently serving as acting State Court Administrator. She was honored as the Utah Woman Lawyer of the Year in 1993.

Ben H. Hadfield

Judge Ben H. Hadfield was appointed to the First District Court in March 1993 by Gov. Michael O. Leavitt. He serves Box Elder, Cache and Rich Counties. He received his law degree from the J. Reuben Clark College of Law at Brigham Young University in 1978. He joined the law firm of Mann, Hadfield & Thorne in 1978 and later became a partner. He was Deputy Brigham City Attorney from 1978 to 1989 and was appointed Brigham City Attorney in 1989. Judge Hadfield has served in leadership positions in the Brigham City Kiwanis Club and the Brigham City Chamber of Commerce.

Bruce K. Halliday

Judge Bruce K. Halliday was appointed to the Seventh Circuit Court in February 1987 by Gov. Norman H. Bangerter. He became a District Court Judge in January 1992 and serves Carbon, Emery, Grand, and San Juan Counties. He received his law degree from the University of Utah College of Law in 1965 and was in private practice from 1965 until 1979. He was the San Juan County Attorney from 1979 until his appointment to the bench.

Steven L. Hansen

Judge Steven L. Hansen was appointed to the Fourth District Court in August 1993 by Gov. Michael O. Leavitt. He serves Juab, Millard, Utah and Wasatch Counties. He received his law degree from the Cumberland School of Law at Samford University in 1976. He was a law clerk at the Utah Supreme Court in 1976, after which he went into private practice. He was Wasatch County Attorney from 1986 until his appointment to the bench.

Michael L. Hutchings

Judge Michael L. Hutchings was appointed to the Third Circuit Court in July 1983 by Gov. Scott M. Matheson. He serves Salt Lake, Summit, and Tooele Counties. In law school he served as an Editorial Associate on the Law Review and graduated in 1979 from the J. Reuben Clark College of Law at B.Y.U. He served as an attorney with the Salt Lake law firm of Senior and Senior and in 1980 became City Attorney with West Valley City. He is currently a member of the Board of Editors of the Utah Bar Journal, the State Bar Fee Arbitration Committee, the Board of Directors of the BYU Law School Alumni Association, a trustee with the Ensign Peak Foundation, and is Vice-Chair of the Utah Tomorrow Justice Committee. He also serves as a Master of the Bench for the A. Sherman Christensen American Inn of Court I. He has previously served on the State Judicial Council and on the Board of Circuit Court Judges. In 1988 he was honored by the State Bar as Circuit Court Judge of the Year and in 1989 as BYU Law School Alumnus of the Year.

Glenn K. Iwasaki

Judge Glenn K. Iwasaki was appointed to the Third District Court in July 1992 by Governor Norman H. Bangerter. He serves Salt Lake, Summit, and Tooele Counties. Judge Iwasaki graduated in 1971 from the University of Utah College of Law. After three years of private practice, Judge Iwasaki became a felony trial attorney for Salt Lake County. He has worked for the Salt Lake Legal Defenders Association and was partner in the law firm of Collard, Pixton, Iwasaki & Downes. Judge Iwasaki was an Adjunct Professor of Law at the University of Utah and served as chair of the Youth Parole Authority. While working with the Salt Lake County Attorneys Office, he served as Unit Chief for the Special Victims Prosecution Unit.

Norman H. Jackson

Judge Norman H. Jackson was appointed to the Utah Court of Appeals in January 1987 by Gov. Norman H. Bangerter. He received his law degree from the University of Utah College of Law in 1962 and was senior partner in Jackson, McIff & Mower in Richfield before his appointment to the bench. He has Masters and Bachelors degrees in Economics from Brigham Young University. He formerly served on the Utah State Bar Commission, Utah Legal Services Board, Board of Visitors J. Reuben Clark School of Law, Utah Air Travel Commission, as President of American Inns of Court I, and as President of the Utah Bar Foundation. Judge Jackson presently serves on the Utah Information Technology Commission and as chair of the Judicial Council's Standing Committee on Information, Automation and Records.

Scott N. Johansen

Judge Scott N. Johansen was appointed to the Seventh District Juvenile Court in January 1992, after serving as Emery County Attorney since 1979. He serves Carbon, Emery, Grand, and San Juan Counties. He received his law degree from the J. Reuben Clark College of Law at BYU in 1977 and practiced with the Price law firm of Frandsen, Keller & Jensen from 1977 to 1979. He served as City Attorney for several cities and towns in Carbon, Emery, and Sanpete Counties and is a former President of the Utah Association of Counties. Judge Johansen is a member of the Governor's Council on Victims, the Statewide Transition Team, and the Board of Juvenile Court Judges.

Olof A. Johansson

Judge Olof A. Johansson was appointed to the Third District Juvenile Court in April 1987 by Gov. Norman H. Bangerter. He serves Salt Lake, Summit, and Tooele Counties. He received his law degree from the University of Utah College of Law in 1968. He was a Deputy Salt Lake County Attorney and Chief of the Juvenile Division from 1971 until his appointment to the bench. In 1980, he served as a member of the Governor's Task Force on the Juvenile Justice System. He is a former member of the State Bar Committee to Review Procedures of the Judicial Nominating Commission. He is a member of the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges and a former chair of the Board of Juvenile Court Judges.

Kay A. Lindsay

Judge Kay A. Lindsay was appointed to the Fourth District Juvenile Court in December 1992 by Governor Norman H. Bangerter. She serves Juab, Millard, Utah and Wasatch Counties. Judge Lindsay also serves in the Eighth District Juvenile Court, serving Daggett, Duchesne, and Uintah Counties. She received her law degree from the University of Utah College of Law in 1967. Prior to her appointment to the bench, Judge Lindsay served as the "Guardian ad Litem" for the Fourth District Juvenile Court. She was also an associate with the Provo firm of Taylor, Moody & Thorne. She is presently serving as a member of the Governing Board of the Utah Valley Regional Medical Center, Chair of the Community Relations Committee for the Utah Valley Regional Medical Center, and a member of the Board of Juvenile Court Judges.

Gordon J. Low

Judge Gordon J. Low was appointed to the First District Court in 1987 by Gov. Norman H. Bangerter. He is the presiding Judge of the First District Court, serving Box Elder, Cache, and Rich Counties. After graduating from Arizona State University College of Law in 1973, he joined the law firm of Hillyard & Gunnell as an associate and later became a partner. Judge Low is a former member of the Judicial Performance Evaluation Committee and the Commission on Justice in the 21st Century. He is a member of the Supreme Court Advisory Committee on Evidence, the Family Court Task Force, and is serving his second term on the Board of District Court Judges where he served as chair for one year.

Michael D. Lyon

Judge Michael D. Lyon was appointed to the Second District Court in July 1992 by Governor Norman G. Bangerter. He serves Davis, Morgan, and Weber Counties. Judge Lyon received his law degree from the University of Utah College of Law in 1971. He served as a Deputy Weber County Attorney, Clinton City Attorney, and as Justice Court Judge for South Odgen City. Prior to his appointment to the bench, he was a shareholder and president of the law firm of Lyon, Helgeson, Waterfall, and Jones. He serves on the Courts and Judges Committee for the Utah State Bar.

Tyrone E. Medley

Judge Tyrone E. Medley was appointed to the Third District Court in December of 1992 by Gov. Norman H. Bangerter and to the Third Circuit Court in July 1984 by Gov. Scott M. Matheson. He serves Salt Lake, Summit, and Tooele Counties. He received his law degree from the University of Utah College of Law in 1977. Judge Medley was a research attorney for the Third District Court and a Deputy Attorney for Salt Lake County. He was an associate with the law firm of Cotro-Manes, Warr, Green & Shand. He is a former member of the Utah Supreme Court Advisory Committee on Criminal Procedure and the Alternative Dispute Resolution Team. He served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Crimson Club and the Salt Lake Boys and Girls Club. He presently serves as a member of the Statewide Transition Team for Consolidation of the Courts.

Jon M. Memmott

Judge Jon M. Memmott was appointed to the Second District Court in August 1992 by Governor Norman G. Bangerter. He serves Davis, Morgan, and Weber Counties. He is the Presiding Judge for the Second District Court. He received his law degree from Arizona State University, then served as Assistant Attorney General in Arizona. He relocated to Utah in 1976 where he served as the Director of the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel. He served as Governor Bangerter's Chief of Staff/General Counsel, until 1989 when he returned to private practice as a partner with Nielsen & Senior. Judge Memmott is a member of the Board of District Court Judges.

David A. Mower

Judge David L. Mower was appointed to the Circuit Court in December 1986 by Gov. Norman H. Bangerter. He became a District Court Judge in January 1992. He serves Garfield, Kane, Piute, Sanpete, Sevier, and Wayne Counties. He received his law degree from the University of Utah College of Law in 1974. He was in private practice until his appointment to the bench, during which time he was a County Attorney, a Deputy County Attorney, a public defender and a juvenile court referee. While in the judiciary he has served on the Forms and Sentencing Guidelines Committees and the Circuit Court Users' Group. Currently he is a member of the Standing Committee on Judicial Branch Education and chair of the Small Claims Procedures and Rules Committee.

Frank G. Noel

Judge Frank G. Noel was appointed to the Third District Court in October 1986 by Gov. Norman H. Bangerter. He serves Salt Lake, Summit, and Tooele Counties. He was a Judge in the Fifth Circuit Court for three years. He received his law degree from the University of Utah College of Law in 1972 and was an attorney with the Salt Lake law firm of Strang & Hanni. He is a former member of the Task Force on Child Support Guidelines and the Legislative Task Force on Domestic Violence. He is a member of the Supreme Court Advisory Committee on Rules of Evidence, the Automation, Information, and Records Committee and the Board of District Court Judges.

Gregory K. Orme

Presiding Judge Gregory K. Orme was appointed to the Utah Court of Appeals in January 1987 by Gov. Norman H. Bangerter. He commenced a two-year term as presiding judge in January 1995. He received his law degree from George Washington University in Washington D.C. in 1978 and was a partner in the Salt Lake law firm of VanCott, Bagley, Cornwall & McCarthy. He served two terms on the Judicial Council. He is currently a member of the Ethics Advisory Committee, the Judicial Performance Evaluation Committee and the Commissioner Conduct Commission.

Robin W. Reese

Judge Robin W. Reese was appointed to the Third Circuit Court in March 1987 by Gov. Norman H. Bangerter. He serves Salt Lake, Summit, and Tooele Counties. He received his law degree from the University of Utah College of Law in 1980. He was an attorney in the law firm of Tibbals, Adamson, Peters & Howell from 1980 to 1981 and a Salt Lake County Attorney from 1981 until his appointment to the bench. He is a member of the 3rd District Transition Committee and the Supreme Court Advisory Committee on the Rules of Criminal Procedure. Judge Reese has been serving as the Presiding Judge in Third Circuit since 1992.

Anthony W. Schofield

Judge Anthony W. Schofield was appointed to the Fourth District Court in August 1993 by Gov. Michael O. Leavitt. He serves Juab, Millard, Utah and Wasatch Counties. He received his law degree from the J. Reuben Clark College of Law at Brigham Young University in 1976. He was a law clerk in the U.S. District Court for one year, was an attorney with Ferenz, Bramhall, Williams & Gruskin in Guam for two years, and was in private practice in 1979-1980. Judge Schofield was an associate with Jardine, Linebraugh, Brown & Dunn 1980-1981, was shareholder/director of Ray, Quinney & Nebeker until January 1993, and was Deputy Commission of the Utah State Insurance Department until his appointment to the bench.

Louis G. Tervort

Judge Louis G. Tervort was appointed to the Sixth District Juvenile Court in October 1986 by Gov. Norman H. Bangerter after serving as a Judge in the Tenth Circuit Court since 1978. He serves Garfield, Kane, Sanpete, Sevier, and Piute Counties. He received his law degree from the University of Utah College of Law in 1966 and was a partner in the Manti law firm of Tibbs & Tervort from 1966 to 1972, and Frischknecht & Tervort from 1975 to 1978. He was also Sanpete County Attorney from 1971 to 1974. Judge Tervort is a former member of the Board of Juvenile Court Judges and a member of the Family Court Task Force.

Andrew A. Valdez

Judge Andrew A. Valdez was appointed to the Third District Juvenile Court in August 1993 by Gov. Michael O. Leavitt. He serves Salt Lake, Summit, and Tooele Counties. He graduated from the University of Utah College of Law in 1977. Prior to his appointment to the bench Judge Valdez was a commissioned captain and trial counsel for the U.S. Army and ran the Legal Defenders Association Felony/Homicide Division. He was vice chair and chair of the Statewide Youth Parole Authority on two different occasions each. He received the Board of Youth Corrections and Division of Youth Corrections Distinguished Service Award in 1993.

Homer F. Wilkinson

Judge Homer F. Wilkinson was elected to the Third District Court in 1979. He serves Salt Lake, Summit, and Tooele Counties. He received his law degree from the University of Utah College of Law in 1955. He was Assistant Attorney General for the State of Utah from 1956 to 1962 and was an attorney with the law firm of Shearer Carling & Wilkinson prior to his appointment to the bench. He was a member of the Utah State House of Representatives from 1967 to 1976.

David S. Young

Judge David S. Young was appointed to the Third District Court in February 1987 by Gov. Norman H. Bangerter. He serves Salt Lake, Summit, and Tooele Counties. He received his law degree from the University of Utah College of Law in 1969. He worked in the Utah Attorney General's Office and was Chief Assistant Attorney General heading the Criminal Division prior to 1973. He organized and was the original director of the Statewide Association of Prosecutors. He was an attorney with the law firms of Stewart, Young, Paxton & Russell; Marsden, Orton & Liljenquist; and Backman, Marsh & Clark in Salt Lake City. Judge Young is a member of the Supreme Court Advisory Committee on Rules of Criminal Procedure. He is a former member of the Utah Board of Pardons and Board of Corrections. He is currently serving as a member of the Utah Judicial Council.