Professional summary

Expert trial and appellate attorney with over 12 years’ experience litigating complex civil litigation matters in both trial and appellate courts, including construction defects, insurance coverage and bad faith, personal injury, insurance defense, business contract disputes, product disputes, business torts, constitutional issues, employment disputes, securities fraud cases, and more.  Demonstrated track record of courtroom success in trial and motion practice representing clients in state courts, federal courts, appellate courts, administrative proceedings, and arbitrations.   Experience acting both as lead counsel and as part of a larger legal team in all phases of litigation from investigation of claims and initial pleadings through trial and appeal.  Extensive experience researching the law, developing arguments, and drafting persuasive briefs, motions, pleadings, and other documents. 

Professional Expertise

Construction Defect Litigation - Represented large homeowner associations and individual homeowners in complex multi-million-dollar construction defect litigation, including claims for water intrusion damage, soil stability issues, and other defects.  Represented contractors, subcontractors, and property owners in non-homeowner association cases.

Insurance Coverage Litigation – Represented clients in insurance coverage disputes, including declaratory actions related to duty to defend, indemnification, and bad faith claims both from the perspective of the insured and from a judgment creditor on assignment. 

Complex Civil Litigation - Represented businesses and individuals in various types of complex civil litigation; Gained extensive trial and pretrial experience representing clients as first and second chair counsel in numerous jury and bench trials in both state and federal courts as well as administrative agencies and arbitrations.  Developed arguments addressing highly complex legal and factual issues. Conducted and responded written discovery and deposed dozens of expert and fact witnesses. Wrote and argued many motions and oppositions thereto, including motions to dismiss, motions for summary judgment, motions in limine, discovery motions, trial briefs, and more.  Represented clients in all phases of litigation, from complaint and summons through trial and appeal;

Appellate litigation – Represented clients in various issues before the Utah Supreme Court, Utah Court of Appeals, and 10th Circuit Court of Appeals;

Representative Sample of Cases

§  Successfully represented a grass-roots non-profit organization in a seminal election rights case at the conclusion of which the Utah Supreme Court overturned a Utah statute as unconstitutional.  Sevier Power Co., LLC v. Bd. of Sevier County Comm’rs, 2008 UT 72, 196 P.3d 583 (Utah 2008).

§  Represented various homeowners associations in construction defect claims against developers and contractors for water intrusion damage and soil subsidence issues.

§  Represented various clients, including contractors and homeowner associations in insurance coverage disputes.

§  Successfully defended an oil and gas company in a wrongful termination action brought by its former President and CEO with more than $15 Million at stake.