Areas of Expertise:

• Corporate Finance
• Corporate Law and Governance
• Landlord and Tenant Representation
• Mergers and Acquisitions
• Real Estate Development (Finance and Regulatory)
• Real Estate Purchase and Sale
• Venture Capital and Emerging Companies

Background & Experience:

Mr. Beatty assists companies, investors, and entrepreneurs with a wide range of complicated business transactions, including commercial real estate matters such as sales, purchases, leasing, and development, as well as securities offerings and regulation, mergers and acquisitions, and general corporate and compliance work. Mr. Beatty previously practiced as a capital markets attorney with a national firm focusing on public and private securities offerings and SEC and regulatory compliance.

Education:

Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark Law School (J.D., 2017, magna cum laude)

• Managing Editor of Administration, BYU Law Review (2016-2017)
• Lead Dean’s Fellow – Academic Success Program (2016-2017)

University of Idaho (B.S. Business, Operations Management, 2014, magna cum laude)

• National Merit Scholar

Personal:

Born in Las Vegas, Nevada

Married, four children

Interests include woodworking, soccer, reading, camping, and fishing.

Professional Experience:

Associate Attorney, Dorsey & Whitney, LLP (2020-2024)

Associate Attorney, Holley Driggs Walch Fine Puzey Stein & Thompson (2017-2020)

Areas of Expertise:

• Corporate Finance
• Corporate Law and Governance
• Mergers and Acquisitions
• Venture Capital and Emerging Companies

Background & Experience:

John is an income partner and a member of BTJD’s corporate and business law group, with an emphasis on equity financing transactions and mergers and acquisitions. He represents clients at all phases of an entity’s lifecycle, from bootstrapping start-ups dealing with organizational matters and contract drafting issues, to growth stages involving venture capital financings and then eventually exits. John advises on various corporate and business matters, including entity restructures, drafting, reviewing and negotiating SaaS and license agreements and other commercial contracts.

John graduated magna cum laude with a J.D. from J. Reuben Clark Law School in 2017 and has been with BTJD since then. In law school, he was an Executive Editor of the BYU Law Review and Managing Editor of Administration of the BYU Journal of Public Law. John also participated in various extracurricular activities, including fifth grade mentoring.

During his undergraduate studies at California State University, Long Beach, John served in the Long Beach Courthouse’s Self-Help Legal Access Center for self-represented individuals in litigation matters, providing information about court procedures and filings as well as on-on-one assistance.

Education:

Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark Law School (J.D., 2017, magna cum laude)

• Executive Editor, BYU Law Review (2016-2017)
• Managing Editor of Administration, BYU Journal of Public Law (2016-2017)
• Executive Committee Member, International Law and Religion Symposium
• Order of the Coif

California State University, Long Beach (B.A., Political Science, 2013, summa cum laude)

Personal:

Born and raised in Antioch, California 1988
Married, two children
Interests include home improvement projects, technology and software development, cooking, and musical theater.

Areas of Expertise:

• Corporate Law and Governance
• Mergers and Acquisitions
• Landlord and Tenant Representation
• Corporate Finance
• Estate Planning
• Commercial Litigation

Background & Experience:

Mr. Alton primarily works with the firm’s business transactions group. He advises clients on a variety of business law matters including entity formation; corporate restructuring; corporate governance and strategic relationships; private equity, venture capital, and debt financing; recapitalizations; mergers and acquisitions; and commercial real estate transactions. Mr. Alton also works with the firm’s estate planning and taxation group (with a focus on estate planning) and assists the firm’s litigation group with complex commercial litigation matters from time to time.

Mr. Alton developed a broad range of legal experience prior to joining the firm. He practiced at Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, a preeminent international law firm, in Frankfurt, Germany and New York City (where he practiced in the areas of international capital markets and global disputes and investigations) and Beus Gilbert McGroder PLLC, a premier litigation and commercial real estate boutique in Phoenix, AZ (where he practiced in the area of high stakes commercial litigation, including disputes for breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, professional malpractice, patent infringement, and other intellectual properties disputes).

Education:

Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark Law School (J.D., 2018, magna cum laude)

• Order of the Coif
• Lead Note & Comment Editor, BYU Law Review
• Foreign Language and Area Studies Scholarship Recipient
• Maud Birkin Peterson Research Fellow, International Center for Law and Religion Studies

University of Pennsylvania (M.S. Education, 2011)

Brigham Young University (B.S. Business Strategy, Music Minor, 2009, cum laude with University Honors)

• Member of Phi Kappa Phi and Beta Gamma Sigma

Personal:

Mr. Alton is married with three children. Mr. Alton was born and raised in California and his wife was born and raised in Brazil. As a family, the Altons have lived in California, Utah, Brazil, Germany, New York, New Jersey, and Arizona. Mr. Alton is fluent in Portuguese and speaks some German. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, baking, hiking, exploring national parks, and choral singing.

Professional Experience:

• Member of the J. Reuben Clark Law Society
• Member of New York Bar and Arizona Bar
• Admitted to practice in Eastern District of New York and District of Arizona
• Associate Attorney, Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, 2018-2021 (Frankfurt, Germany and New York, NY)
• Associate Attorney, Beus Gilbert McGroder PLLC, 2021-2022 (Phoenix, AZ)

Areas of Expertise:

• Corporate Finance
• Corporate Law and Governance
• Landlord and Tenant Representation
• Mergers and Acquisitions
• Real Estate Development (Finance and Regulatory)
• Real Estate Purchase and Sale
• Venture Capital and Emerging Companies

Background & Experience:

Mr. Beatty assists companies, investors, and entrepreneurs with a wide range of complicated business transactions, including commercial real estate matters such as sales, purchases, leasing, and development, as well as securities offerings and regulation, mergers and acquisitions, and general corporate and compliance work. Mr. Beatty previously practiced as a capital markets attorney with a national firm focusing on public and private securities offerings and SEC and regulatory compliance.

Education:

Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark Law School (J.D., 2017, magna cum laude)

• Managing Editor of Administration, BYU Law Review (2016-2017)
• Lead Dean’s Fellow – Academic Success Program (2016-2017)

University of Idaho (B.S. Business, Operations Management, 2014, magna cum laude)

• National Merit Scholar

Personal:

Born in Las Vegas, Nevada

Married, four children

Interests include woodworking, soccer, reading, camping, and fishing.

Professional Experience:

Associate Attorney, Dorsey & Whitney, LLP (2020-2024)

Associate Attorney, Holley Driggs Walch Fine Puzey Stein & Thompson (2017-2020)

Areas of Expertise:

• Business Structure and Design
• Corporate Finance
• Corporate Law and Governance
• Estate Planning
• Exempt Organizations
• Mergers and Acquisitions
• Tax
• Taxes: Federal and State
• Trust and Estate Mediation

Background & Experience:

Mr. Bennett serves as an advisor to numerous entrepreneurs and various sized business enterprises. He serves on the board of trustees of various charitable and philanthropic organizations. Mr. Bennett was admitted to the Utah State Bar in 1990. He is the founding partner of Bennett Tueller Johnson & Deere.

Mr. Bennett was the principal draftsman of the Utah Limited Liability Company Act. He is a Certified Public Accountant.

Education:

Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark Law School (J.D., 1990, magna cum laude)

• Articles Editor, BYU Law Review 1989-1990

Brigham Young University (B.S., Accounting, 1987, magna cum laude)

• Order of the Coif

Personal:

Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, 1963
Married, 5 children and 3 grandchildren
Interests include hunting, boating, snow skiing and snowmobiling

Areas of Expertise:

• Corporate Finance
• Corporate Law and Governance
• Mergers and Acquisitions

Background & Experience:

Chalyse R. Bird works in the firm’s business section. She assists companies with formation, structure, financings, private offerings, recapitalizations, mergers, acquisitions and other commercial transactions.

Education:

Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark Law School (J.D., 2009, magna cum laude)

• Senior Editor, BYU Law Review
• Recipient, Carl and Rose Badger Scholarship

Brigham Young University (B.S. Business Finance, 2005, magna cum laude)

• Recipient, Heritage Scholarship
• Recipient, National Merit Scholarship

Personal:

Born in Murray, Utah
Married, 3 children
Interests include music, dancing, reading, sports, spending time with family, traveling, and HGTV.

Areas of Expertise:

• Corporate Finance
• Corporate Law and Governance
• Estate Planning
• Exempt Organizations
• Mergers and Acquisitions
• Probate, Estate, and Trust Administration
• Tax

Background & Experience:

Mr. Bishop is an associate in the firm’s corporate, general business transactional, and estate planning groups. Mr. Bishop assists clients with various business law matters, including formation, structure, corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, contract drafting, and other business transactions.

Mr. Bishop also practices in the firm’s estate planning section, where he assists clients with various estate planning matters, including wills, trusts, and probate proceedings.

Education:

Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark Law School (J.D., 2019, magna cum laude)

• Lead Article Editor, Brigham Young University Law Review (2018-2019)
• Order of the Coif

Brigham Young University (B.A. Political Science, 2015)

Personal:

Born in Salt Lake City, Utah
Foreign Languages: Spanish
Married, 4 children
Interests include baseball, basketball, music, reading, movies, spending time with his family, and comedy.

Areas of Expertise:

• Corporate Finance
• Corporate Law and Governance
• Landlord and Tenant Representation
• Mergers and Acquisitions
• Real Estate Development (Finance and Regulatory)
• Real Estate Purchase and Sale

Background & Experience:

Mr. Dearing works with the firm’s real estate, corporate and general business transactional groups. Mr. Dearing’s practice focuses on commercial real estate, finance, mergers, acquisitions, and other complex business and real estate transactions. In addition, Mr. Dearing joined the firm after practicing as a litigation attorney for a short time with a focus on complex business and real estate disputes.

Education:

Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark Law School (J.D., 2017, Magna Cum Laude)

• Order of the Coif

Utah Valley University, Woodbury School of Business (B.S. Accounting, 2013, Magna Cum Laude)

Professional Experience:

• Associate Attorney, Mitchell Barlow & Mansfield (2017-2018)

Areas of Expertise:

• Corporate Finance
• Corporate Law and Governance
• Mergers and Acquisitions

Background & Experience:

Mr. Deere assists mid-stage and mature companies with financings, recapitalizations, acquisitions, divestitures, mergers and other commercial transactions and agreements. He also assists early stage companies with formation, structure, strategic relationships and venture capital and other financings.

Education:

Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark Law School (J.D., 1991, summa cum laude)

• Lead Articles Editor, BYU Law Review
• J. Reuben Clark Award Recipient

Brigham Young University (M.Acc., B.S. Accounting, 1991, magna cum laude)

Personal:

Foreign language: Spanish
Married, 4 children
Interests include running, biking, history

Professional Experience:

• Clerk to the Honorable Deanell Reece Tacha, U.S. Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit, 1991-1992
• Carrington Coleman Sloman & Blumenthal, Dallas, Texas, 1992-1995
• R.G. Management Company, Orem, Utah, 1995-1997
• Adjunct Law Professor, Accounting and Finance for Lawyers, J. Reuben Clark Law School, Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark School of Law, 2008-2012

Areas of Expertise:

• Corporate Law and Governance
• Mergers and Acquisitions
• State and Local Government
• Municipal and Governmental Litigation
• Real Estate Development (Finance and Regulatory)
• Landlord and Tenant Representation
• Employment Litigation

Background & Experience:

Mr. Doxey provides general representation to businesses and public entities.  He advises businesses in transactional matters such as entity formation and governance, contracts, employment, land use and development, and mergers and acquisitions.  He counsels municipalities and other public entities on a broad range of legal issues, including land use, ordinance preparation, and public administration.  He also serves as a resource to connect clients with appropriate personnel at BTJD for estate planning, tax, litigation, and other matters.  As a result of his commercial litigation experience, Mr. Doxey emphasizes clarity and readability in documenting transactions for both private and public clients.

Education:

Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark Law School (J.D., 1985, cum laude)

Brigham Young University, Marriott School of Management (M.B.A., 1985)

Brigham Young University (B.A., Economics, 1981)

Personal:

Married, five children.
Foreign language: Spanish.
Interests include cycling, tennis, guitar, and spending time with family.
Completed nine Logan to Jackson (LOTOJA) 206-mile bicycle races.

Professional Experience:

• Member and Chair, City of Holladay Planning Commission, 2000-2005.
• Chair, City of Holladay Design Review Board, 2006-2012.
• Member, Utah Motor Vehicle Franchise Advisory Board, 2003-2011.
• Admitted to practice before the 10^th and 11^th Circuit Courts of Appeals.
• Admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Areas of Expertise:

• Corporate Finance
• Mergers and Acquisitions
• Corporate Law and Governance

Background & Experience:

Mr. Fine works with the firm’s business transactions group.  He advises clients in a variety of business law matters including entity formation, corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, finance, venture capital funding, service contracts, and other transactions and agreements.

Education:

Duke University School of Law (J.D., 2015)

• Moot Court Board
• Executive Editor, Duke Journal of Constitutional Law

Brigham Young University (B.A., Political Science, 2012, cum laude)

Personal:

Married, 1 daughter, 2 cats
Born in Provo, Utah; raised in Mesa, Arizona
Foreign language: Spanish

Professional Experience:

• Law Clerk, Justice Robert M. Brutinel, Arizona Supreme Court (2015-2016)
• Associate Attorney, Bracewell LLP (New York office, 2016-2018)
• Associate Attorney, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP (New York office, 2018-2021)
• Associate Attorney, Kirkland & Ellis LLP (Salt Lake City office, 2021-2022)

Areas of Expertise:

• Corporate Finance
• Corporate Law and Governance
• Mergers and Acquisitions

Background & Experience:

Mr. Fors works with the firm’s business transactions group. He advises clients on a variety of different business law matters. He represents acquirors and targets in structuring, negotiating and documenting mergers and acquisitions. He also assists early stage companies with formation, structure, strategic relationships, equity financings, convertible debt financings, and other financings.

Education:

Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark School of Law (J.D., 2005, magna cum laude)

• Lead Articles Editor, BYU Law Review

Brigham Young University (B.A. Political Science, 2001)

Personal:

Foreign language: Spanish

Professional Experience:

• Law Clerk – Justice Jill N. Parrish, Utah Supreme Court, 2006

Areas of Expertise:

• Corporate Law and Governance
• Estate Planning
• Exempt Organizations
• Guardianship/Conservatorship and Elder Law
• Probate and Trust Litigation
• Probate, Estate, and Trust Administration
• Tax
• Taxes: Federal and State
• Trust and Estate Mediation

Background & Experience:

Mr. Giles works with the estate planning and taxation groups with a focus in the areas of federal and state taxation, estate and gift tax planning, probate and trust administration and guardianship and conservatorship law. He develops complex estate planning strategies and assists clients in implementing and administering their customized estate plans. He represents individual and entity taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service and Utah State Tax Commission regarding income, estate and employment tax issues. Mr. Giles also advises businesses and their owners regarding the tax implications of entity choice, operations, and acquisition transactions of all sizes.

Education:

Boston University School of Law (LL.M. Taxation, 2009)

• LL.M. Scholar

Boston University School of Law (J.D., cum laude, 2006)

• Dean’s Scholar
• Director, Edward C. Stone Appellate Moot Court Competition

Weber State University (B.S. Criminal Justice, magna cum laude 2003)

• Elected “Top Graduate for C.J. Program” by department faculty

Personal:

Born in Taylorsville, Utah
Married, 5 children

Professional Experience:

• Admitted to Massachusetts Bar, 2006
• Admitted to Utah Bar, 2009
• Associate Attorney, The Law Offices of Susan M. Mooney, P.C. Stoneham, Massachusetts, 2007-2008
• Member, Estate Planning Section of the Utah State Bar
• Member, Tax Law Section of the Utah State Bar

Areas of Expertise:

• Commercial Litigation
• Construction Law and Litigation
• Corporate Law and Governance
• Creditor Rights
• Employment Litigation
• Real Estate Litigation

Background & Experience:

Mr. Goodrich is a partner in the firm’s litigation department whose practice focuses on representing employers in state and federal court and before administrative agencies such as the Utah Labor Commission, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Department of Labor, the Utah Occupational Safety and Health Division, and other governmental agencies. Mr. Goodrich has represented numerous large and small Utah businesses in litigation matters involving claims for wrongful termination, sexual harassment, discrimination, retaliation, overtime and wage issues, workplace safety citations, covenants not to compete, arbitration agreements, and related issues. While Mr. Goodrich’s primary focus is litigation, he also counsels and assists employers regarding Title VII, state and federal wage and hour laws, the ADA, the ADEA, the FMLA, USERRA, classification of employees, terminations, separation agreements, employee handbooks, and other employment issues. Mr. Goodrich endeavors to help his clients implement effective strategies and best practices for avoiding costly and unnecessary claims wherever possible.

In addition to his employment practice, Mr. Goodrich also represents clients in business and commercial matters, including insurance coverage litigation, contract disputes, construction liens, payment bonds, and real property matters.

Education:

University of Utah, S.J. Quinney College of Law (J.D., 2006)

• Staff Editor and Member, University of Utah Law Review
• William H. Leary Scholar
• Judicial Intern, Honorable Dee Benson, United States District Court for the District of Utah
• Recipient, CALI Excellence for the Future Awards (Natural Resources & Cyberlaw)

University of Utah (B.A., Political Science, 2001, cum laude) (B.A., Spanish, 2001)

Personal:

Born in Vernal, Utah
Married, five children
Foreign language: Spanish
Interests include mountain biking, running, canyoneering, backpacking, skiing, politics, and sports.

Professional Experience:

• Admitted to practice in state and federal courts of Utah
• Member, Utah State Bar Association
• Member, Legislative Committee, Associated General Contractors of Utah
• Continuing Education Instructor, Construction Law, Associated General Contractors of Utah

Areas of Expertise:

• Corporate Finance
• Corporate Law and Governance
• Mergers and Acquisitions
• Real Estate Development (Finance and Regulatory)
• Real Estate Purchase and Sale

Background & Experience:

Mr. Hawkins serves as a trusted point of contact for all matters that touch on transactional law, from formation to financing to sale, and all important strategic agreements in between. In that capacity, he serves as a relationship partner and a consultant to clients and connects them to the right resources at BTJD in areas such as tax, benefits, labor, licensing, real property, executive compensation and litigation, as well as other resources outside his firm. He draws from his experience serving virtually every industry and vertical of companies in the Intermountain West to bring a practical and business-oriented approach to client needs. He has special focus and expertise on mergers and acquisitions, private equity transactions, venture capital and emerging company work, technology licensing and joint ventures, corporate governance, and executive compensation.

Education:

University of Chicago Law School (J.D., 1997, with honors)

• Member, University of Chicago Law Review

Brigham Young University (M.A., 1993, Managerial Economics, magna cum laude)
Brigham Young University (B.A., 1992, Economics, magna cum laude)

Personal:

Married, 4 children
Sometimes skier, canyoneer, and mountain biker.

Professional Experience:

• Kirkland & Ellis LLP, 1997-1998
• Snell & Wilmer L.L.P., 1998-2000
• Dorsey & Whitney LLP, 2000-2002

Areas of Expertise:

• Commercial Litigation
• Corporate Finance
• Corporate Law and Governance
• Mergers and Acquisitions
• Technology and Licensing

Background & Experience:

Mr. Jeppsen is an attorney in the firm’s business section, where he assists companies with formation, structure, asset protection, trademark registration, and contract drafting. Mr. Jeppsen also practices in the firm’s litigation section, with a particular emphasis on securities litigation and trademark infringement.

Education:

Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark Law School (J.D., 2014, magna cum laude)

• Law Review, Lead Articles Editor

Brigham Young University, Marriott School of Management (M.B.A., 2014)
Brigham Young University (B.A., 2006)

Areas of Expertise:

• Corporate Finance
• Corporate Law and Governance
• Estate Planning
• Landlord and Tenant Representation
• Mergers and Acquisitions
• Probate, Estate, and Trust Administration
• Real Estate Development (Finance and Regulatory)
• Real Estate Purchase and Sale
• Tax
• Technology and Licensing

Background & Experience:

Mr. Matson represents privately held companies, investors, and entrepreneurs in complex business transactions, with particular focus in business formation corporate restructuring, private equity and venture capital transactions, securities offerings and regulation, intellectual property licensing, corporate governance and compliance work, trademark and other general business, commercial and contractual matters.

Mr. Matson’s practice also encompasses all aspects of real estate law, including sales, purchases, leasing, financing, development and redevelopment, easements, CC&Rs, owner’s associations, development agreements, due diligence review for title and survey matters and associated agreements.

Education:

Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark Law School (J.D., 2009, magna cum laude)

• Member, Brigham Young University Law Review
• Executive Editor, Journal of Public Law

Brigham Young University (B.S., Accounting, 2004)

Personal:

Born in Ogden, Utah
Foreign Languages: Norwegian
Married, 5 children
Interests include reading, running, basketball, softball, golf, and spending time with family.

Areas of Expertise:

• Corporate Finance
• Corporate Law and Governance
• Mergers and Acquisitions
• Real Estate Development (Finance and Regulatory)
• Real Estate Purchase and Sale

Background & Experience:

Mr. Rawson is a partner at the firm practicing corporate and general business law. Mr. Rawson assists companies with financings, mergers, acquisitions, recapitalizations, and other business transactions and agreements. In addition, he assists early stage companies with formation, structure, strategic relationships, venture capital financings, and other financings.

Education:

Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark Law School (J.D., 2004, cum laude)

• Executive Editor, BYU Law Review

Utah State University (B.A., Accounting and Economics, 2001, magna cum laude)

Personal:

Foreign Language: Mandarin Chinese
Interests include basketball, reading, golf, and other sports.

Areas of Expertise:

• Corporate Finance
• Corporate Law and Governance
• Mergers and Acquisitions
• Venture Capital and Emerging Companies

Background & Experience:

John is an income partner and a member of BTJD’s corporate and business law group, with an emphasis on equity financing transactions and mergers and acquisitions. He represents clients at all phases of an entity’s lifecycle, from bootstrapping start-ups dealing with organizational matters and contract drafting issues, to growth stages involving venture capital financings and then eventually exits. John advises on various corporate and business matters, including entity restructures, drafting, reviewing and negotiating SaaS and license agreements and other commercial contracts.

John graduated magna cum laude with a J.D. from J. Reuben Clark Law School in 2017 and has been with BTJD since then. In law school, he was an Executive Editor of the BYU Law Review and Managing Editor of Administration of the BYU Journal of Public Law. John also participated in various extracurricular activities, including fifth grade mentoring.

During his undergraduate studies at California State University, Long Beach, John served in the Long Beach Courthouse’s Self-Help Legal Access Center for self-represented individuals in litigation matters, providing information about court procedures and filings as well as on-on-one assistance.

Education:

Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark Law School (J.D., 2017, magna cum laude)

• Executive Editor, BYU Law Review (2016-2017)
• Managing Editor of Administration, BYU Journal of Public Law (2016-2017)
• Executive Committee Member, International Law and Religion Symposium
• Order of the Coif

California State University, Long Beach (B.A., Political Science, 2013, summa cum laude)

Personal:

Born and raised in Antioch, California 1988
Married, two children
Interests include home improvement projects, technology and software development, cooking, and musical theater.

Areas of Expertise:

• Corporate Finance
• Corporate Law and Governance
• Energy Project Development and Finance
• Landlord and Tenant Representation
• Real Estate Development (Finance and Regulatory)
• Real Estate Purchase and Sale

Background & Experience:

Mr. Tumblin works in the firm’s business transactions group.  Prior to joining the firm, he was a partner in both a large New York-based firm and a large Chicago-based firm.  Mr. Tumblin has broad experience in many types of business transactions, including real estate, energy, finance, transactional and general business counseling.  He has represented both public and privately-held clients, many of whom have relied on his counsel for over 25 years.  He has been a member of the board of directors of a Fortune 500 company, and has appeared on behalf of clients in the United States Supreme Court and other appellate courts.

Education:

J.D. University of Utah (B.A., 1987)

• Order of the Coif
• Note Editor, Utah Law Review

Brigham Young University (B.A., 1984, cum  laude, Phi Kappa Phi)

Professional Experience:

• Partner, Chapman and Cutler LLP, 2006-2012 (Chicago-based law firm)
• Partner, LeBeouf, Lamb, Greene & MacRae, 1987-2005 (New York City-based law firm)
• Adjunct Professor, J. Reuben Clark Law School, Brigham Young University, 2004-2005 (Law of Debtors and Creditors)
• Lecturer on commercial lending and real property matters
• Member, Board of Directors, Trans World Airlines, Inc., 1997-1998
• Board Member, Davis Community Housing Authority (Davis County, Utah)

Areas of Expertise:

• Corporate Finance
• Corporate Law and Governance
• Estate Planning
• Probate, Estate, and Trust Administration
• Mergers and Acquisitions
• Real Estate Purchase and Sale

Background & Experience:

Ms. Manzanares has worked in the legal field since 2014 and has experience in estate planning, corporate and transactional law, domestic and family law, and expungements. She joined BTJD in 2022 and currently focuses on estate planning and corporate and transactional law.

Education:

Brigham Young University (B.A. Anthropology, 2021)

Personal:

Ms. Manzanares’ interests include horseback riding, reading, knitting, hiking, traveling, and spending time with her dog.

Areas of Expertise:

• Corporate Finance
• Corporate Law and Governance
• Estate Planning
• Exempt Organizations
• Mergers and Acquisitions
• Probate, Estate, and Trust Administration
• Real Estate Purchase and Sale

Background & Experience:

Ms. Turner has been with the firm since 2016 and works with the firm’s corporate and estate planning groups. Among many things, Ms. Turner’s experience includes work relating to corporate formation and governance, transaction closings, estate plan preparation and funding, trust and estate administration, and real estate matters, including boundary issues. Ms. Turner was one of the first to be commissioned as a Remote Notary in the State of Utah and maintains such commission as a convenient option for the firm’s clients.

Personal:

Married, one child, two dogs, one cat.
Interests include skiing/snowboarding, hiking, fly fishing, camping, horseback riding, gardening, baseball, photography, plants, and generally anything outdoors.

Areas of Expertise:

• Business Structure and Design
• Corporate Finance
• Corporate Law and Governance
• Estate Planning
• Exempt Organizations
• Mergers and Acquisitions
• Tax
• Taxes: Federal and State
• Trust and Estate Mediation

Background & Experience:

Mr. Bennett serves as an advisor to numerous entrepreneurs and various sized business enterprises. He serves on the board of trustees of various charitable and philanthropic organizations. Mr. Bennett was admitted to the Utah State Bar in 1990. He is the founding partner of Bennett Tueller Johnson & Deere.

Mr. Bennett was the principal draftsman of the Utah Limited Liability Company Act. He is a Certified Public Accountant.

Education:

Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark Law School (J.D., 1990, magna cum laude)

• Articles Editor, BYU Law Review 1989-1990

Brigham Young University (B.S., Accounting, 1987, magna cum laude)

• Order of the Coif

Personal:

Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, 1963
Married, 5 children and 3 grandchildren
Interests include hunting, boating, snow skiing and snowmobiling

Areas of Expertise:

• Corporate Law and Governance
• Estate Planning
• Exempt Organizations
• Guardianship/Conservatorship and Elder Law
• Probate and Trust Litigation
• Probate, Estate, and Trust Administration
• Tax
• Taxes: Federal and State
• Trust and Estate Mediation

Background & Experience:

Mr. Giles works with the estate planning and taxation groups with a focus in the areas of federal and state taxation, estate and gift tax planning, probate and trust administration and guardianship and conservatorship law. He develops complex estate planning strategies and assists clients in implementing and administering their customized estate plans. He represents individual and entity taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service and Utah State Tax Commission regarding income, estate and employment tax issues. Mr. Giles also advises businesses and their owners regarding the tax implications of entity choice, operations, and acquisition transactions of all sizes.

Education:

Boston University School of Law (LL.M. Taxation, 2009)

• LL.M. Scholar

Boston University School of Law (J.D., cum laude, 2006)

• Dean’s Scholar
• Director, Edward C. Stone Appellate Moot Court Competition

Weber State University (B.S. Criminal Justice, magna cum laude 2003)

• Elected “Top Graduate for C.J. Program” by department faculty

Personal:

Born in Taylorsville, Utah
Married, 5 children

Professional Experience:

• Admitted to Massachusetts Bar, 2006
• Admitted to Utah Bar, 2009
• Associate Attorney, The Law Offices of Susan M. Mooney, P.C. Stoneham, Massachusetts, 2007-2008
• Member, Estate Planning Section of the Utah State Bar
• Member, Tax Law Section of the Utah State Bar

Areas of Expertise:

• Commercial Litigation
• Creditor Rights
• Employment Litigation
• Real Estate Litigation
• Technology and Licensing

Background & Experience:

Areas of practice include commercial litigation, including litigation of partnership and internal company disputes, employer-employee disputes, trademark disputes, real estate disputes, creditor-debtor disputes, “claw-back” actions initiated by trustees or receivers, and bankruptcy disputes. Mr. Inouye has experience helping companies to resolve issues with state regulatory agencies involving laws governing telemarketing as well as experience in working with companies to comply with and defend against lawsuits brought under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act.  He has repeatedly been named as a “Rising Star” by Mountain States Super Lawyers magazine and has been voted by his peers as one of Utah’s “Legal Elite.”

Education:

Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark Law School (2003)

Brigham Young University (B.A. Philosophy, 1999)

Personal:

Two-time member of US Ski Mountaineering Team.
Speed Record ski ascent and descent of Grand Teton, ski descent of Mt. McKinley.
Soccer coach.
Competitive skier, runner, and biker.

Professional Experience:

• Associate Attorney, Mabey Murray LC, Salt Lake City, UT, 2005-2006
• Associate Attorney, LeBoeuf Lamb Greene & Macrae, Salt Lake City, UT, 2004-2005
• Judicial Law Clerk for the Honorable Robert C. Jones, U.S. District Court, District of Nevada, 2003-2004
• Judicial Law Clerk for the Honorable Robert C. Jones, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Nevada, 2003
• Member, Utah State Bar Association
• Member, Nevada State Bar Association

Areas of Expertise:

• Commercial Litigation
• Corporate Finance
• Corporate Law and Governance
• Mergers and Acquisitions
• Technology and Licensing

Background & Experience:

Mr. Jeppsen is an attorney in the firm’s business section, where he assists companies with formation, structure, asset protection, trademark registration, and contract drafting. Mr. Jeppsen also practices in the firm’s litigation section, with a particular emphasis on securities litigation and trademark infringement.

Education:

Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark Law School (J.D., 2014, magna cum laude)

• Law Review, Lead Articles Editor

Brigham Young University, Marriott School of Management (M.B.A., 2014)
Brigham Young University (B.A., 2006)

Areas of Expertise:

• Appeals
• Commercial Litigation
• Construction Law and Litigation
• Creditor Rights
• Employment Litigation
• Probate and Trust Litigation
• Real Estate Litigation
• Technology and Licensing

Background & Experience:

Mr. Jones is a business litigation attorney and partner with the firm whose practice focuses on intellectual property and competition-related disputes.

Concentrating primarily on the technology industry, Mr. Jones helps individuals and companies fight for and protect what matters most—their business and livelihood. Mr. Jones has obtained results for clients both inside and outside the courtroom. And in working with him through their complex and high stakes disputes, clients have thanked Jarom for his “professionalism,” “responsiveness,” and “attention to detail.” As put by one client, Mr. Jones was a “lifeline in a bad situation.”

In recent years, Mr. Jones has successfully helped clients prosecute and defend claims for trade secret misappropriation, trademark infringement, unfair competition, breach of fiduciary duty, and breach of employee non-competition, non-solicitation, and non-disclosure contracts. He also advises and counsels clients on employment matters and best business practices to prevent litigation in the first place.

Recent Representative Experience

• Achieved a multi-million-dollar settlement on behalf of a client against her former business partner in an action for racketeering, theft, and other claims.
• Obtained an award of attorneys’ fees for a client, as well as an order invalidating the opposing party’s non-competition agreement in a lawsuit filed by a competitor and former employer.
• Won a court order requiring a client’s former business partner to turn over stolen company records and to cease confusing customers and vendors through use of client’s name and trademark.
• Won a court order requiring a client’s former employee to cease illegally soliciting the client’s workforce and using or disclosing the client’s confidential information.
• Defended and obtained the dismissal of multi-million-dollar breach of contract and fraud claims, as well as obtained an award of attorneys’ fees in favor of the client.

Education:

Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark Law School (J.D., 2016, Summa Cum Laude)

• BYU Law Review, Senior Editor
• Federal Bar Association, BYU Chapter, President

Weber State University (B.S., Criminal Justice, 2013, Summa Cum Laude)

• Outstanding Criminal Justice Graduate of 2013

Personal:

Mr. Jones was born and raised in Ogden, Utah.
Outside of the office he enjoys backcountry skiing, traveling the world with his wife and kids, and finding mountain biking trails just wide enough to pull his kids’ trailer up.

Professional Experience:

• Judicial Extern, Justice Thomas R. Lee, Utah Supreme Court, 2014
• Judicial Extern, Judge David Sam, U.S. District Court, District of Utah, 2014
• Member attorney of the Goldwater Institute’s American Freedom Network, a network of pro bono attorneys protecting individual rights and preserving freedom.

Areas of Expertise:

• Corporate Finance
• Corporate Law and Governance
• Estate Planning
• Landlord and Tenant Representation
• Mergers and Acquisitions
• Probate, Estate, and Trust Administration
• Real Estate Development (Finance and Regulatory)
• Real Estate Purchase and Sale
• Tax
• Technology and Licensing

Background & Experience:

Mr. Matson represents privately held companies, investors, and entrepreneurs in complex business transactions, with particular focus in business formation corporate restructuring, private equity and venture capital transactions, securities offerings and regulation, intellectual property licensing, corporate governance and compliance work, trademark and other general business, commercial and contractual matters.

Mr. Matson’s practice also encompasses all aspects of real estate law, including sales, purchases, leasing, financing, development and redevelopment, easements, CC&Rs, owner’s associations, development agreements, due diligence review for title and survey matters and associated agreements.

Education:

Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark Law School (J.D., 2009, magna cum laude)

• Member, Brigham Young University Law Review
• Executive Editor, Journal of Public Law

Brigham Young University (B.S., Accounting, 2004)

Personal:

Born in Ogden, Utah
Foreign Languages: Norwegian
Married, 5 children
Interests include reading, running, basketball, softball, golf, and spending time with family.

Areas of Expertise:

• Commercial Litigation
• Construction Law and Litigation
• Creditor Rights
• Employment Litigation
• Landlord and Tenant Representation
• Real Estate Litigation
• Technology and Licensing

Background & Experience:

Mr. Merriman is an associate in the firm’s litigation department. His practice emphasizes general commercial litigation involving contract disputes, securities, real property, and commercial landlord-tenant disputes. Mr. Merriman also has experience in administrative practice and appeals.

Education:

Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark Law School (J.D., 2013, magna cum laude)

• Order of the Coif
• Lead Articles Editor, BYU Law Review

Brigham Young University (B.S., Economics, B.A., Political Science, 2010)

• 1^st Team All-MW Conference Track, 2011
• 2^nd Team All-MW Conference Cross Country, 2010

Personal:

Mr. Merriman is married and has two children. He enjoys basketball, distance running, and reading about American history and politics.

Professional Experience:

• Law Clerk to Chief Justice Matthew B. Durrant, Utah Supreme Court, 2014‑2015
• Law Clerk to Judge Stephen L. Roth, Utah Court of Appeals, 2013-2014

Areas of Expertise:

• Corporate Law and Governance
• Mergers and Acquisitions
• Landlord and Tenant Representation
• Corporate Finance
• Estate Planning
• Commercial Litigation

Background & Experience:

Mr. Alton primarily works with the firm’s business transactions group. He advises clients on a variety of business law matters including entity formation; corporate restructuring; corporate governance and strategic relationships; private equity, venture capital, and debt financing; recapitalizations; mergers and acquisitions; and commercial real estate transactions. Mr. Alton also works with the firm’s estate planning and taxation group (with a focus on estate planning) and assists the firm’s litigation group with complex commercial litigation matters from time to time.

Mr. Alton developed a broad range of legal experience prior to joining the firm. He practiced at Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, a preeminent international law firm, in Frankfurt, Germany and New York City (where he practiced in the areas of international capital markets and global disputes and investigations) and Beus Gilbert McGroder PLLC, a premier litigation and commercial real estate boutique in Phoenix, AZ (where he practiced in the area of high stakes commercial litigation, including disputes for breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, professional malpractice, patent infringement, and other intellectual properties disputes).

Education:

Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark Law School (J.D., 2018, magna cum laude)

• Order of the Coif
• Lead Note & Comment Editor, BYU Law Review
• Foreign Language and Area Studies Scholarship Recipient
• Maud Birkin Peterson Research Fellow, International Center for Law and Religion Studies

University of Pennsylvania (M.S. Education, 2011)

Brigham Young University (B.S. Business Strategy, Music Minor, 2009, cum laude with University Honors)

• Member of Phi Kappa Phi and Beta Gamma Sigma

Personal:

Mr. Alton is married with three children. Mr. Alton was born and raised in California and his wife was born and raised in Brazil. As a family, the Altons have lived in California, Utah, Brazil, Germany, New York, New Jersey, and Arizona. Mr. Alton is fluent in Portuguese and speaks some German. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, baking, hiking, exploring national parks, and choral singing.

Professional Experience:

• Member of the J. Reuben Clark Law Society
• Member of New York Bar and Arizona Bar
• Admitted to practice in Eastern District of New York and District of Arizona
• Associate Attorney, Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, 2018-2021 (Frankfurt, Germany and New York, NY)
• Associate Attorney, Beus Gilbert McGroder PLLC, 2021-2022 (Phoenix, AZ)

Areas of Expertise:

• Corporate Finance
• Corporate Law and Governance
• Landlord and Tenant Representation
• Mergers and Acquisitions
• Real Estate Development (Finance and Regulatory)
• Real Estate Purchase and Sale
• Venture Capital and Emerging Companies

Background & Experience:

Mr. Beatty assists companies, investors, and entrepreneurs with a wide range of complicated business transactions, including commercial real estate matters such as sales, purchases, leasing, and development, as well as securities offerings and regulation, mergers and acquisitions, and general corporate and compliance work. Mr. Beatty previously practiced as a capital markets attorney with a national firm focusing on public and private securities offerings and SEC and regulatory compliance.

Education:

Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark Law School (J.D., 2017, magna cum laude)

• Managing Editor of Administration, BYU Law Review (2016-2017)
• Lead Dean’s Fellow – Academic Success Program (2016-2017)

University of Idaho (B.S. Business, Operations Management, 2014, magna cum laude)

• National Merit Scholar

Personal:

Born in Las Vegas, Nevada

Married, four children

Interests include woodworking, soccer, reading, camping, and fishing.

Professional Experience:

Associate Attorney, Dorsey & Whitney, LLP (2020-2024)

Associate Attorney, Holley Driggs Walch Fine Puzey Stein & Thompson (2017-2020)

Areas of Expertise:

• Business Structure and Design
• Corporate Finance
• Corporate Law and Governance
• Estate Planning
• Exempt Organizations
• Mergers and Acquisitions
• Tax
• Taxes: Federal and State
• Trust and Estate Mediation

Background & Experience:

Mr. Bennett serves as an advisor to numerous entrepreneurs and various sized business enterprises. He serves on the board of trustees of various charitable and philanthropic organizations. Mr. Bennett was admitted to the Utah State Bar in 1990. He is the founding partner of Bennett Tueller Johnson & Deere.

Mr. Bennett was the principal draftsman of the Utah Limited Liability Company Act. He is a Certified Public Accountant.

Education:

Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark Law School (J.D., 1990, magna cum laude)

• Articles Editor, BYU Law Review 1989-1990

Brigham Young University (B.S., Accounting, 1987, magna cum laude)

• Order of the Coif

Personal:

Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, 1963
Married, 5 children and 3 grandchildren
Interests include hunting, boating, snow skiing and snowmobiling

Areas of Expertise:

• Corporate Finance
• Corporate Law and Governance
• Mergers and Acquisitions

Background & Experience:

Chalyse R. Bird works in the firm’s business section. She assists companies with formation, structure, financings, private offerings, recapitalizations, mergers, acquisitions and other commercial transactions.

Education:

Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark Law School (J.D., 2009, magna cum laude)

• Senior Editor, BYU Law Review
• Recipient, Carl and Rose Badger Scholarship

Brigham Young University (B.S. Business Finance, 2005, magna cum laude)

• Recipient, Heritage Scholarship
• Recipient, National Merit Scholarship

Personal:

Born in Murray, Utah
Married, 3 children
Interests include music, dancing, reading, sports, spending time with family, traveling, and HGTV.

Areas of Expertise:

• Corporate Finance
• Corporate Law and Governance
• Estate Planning
• Exempt Organizations
• Mergers and Acquisitions
• Probate, Estate, and Trust Administration
• Tax

Background & Experience:

Mr. Bishop is an associate in the firm’s corporate, general business transactional, and estate planning groups. Mr. Bishop assists clients with various business law matters, including formation, structure, corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, contract drafting, and other business transactions.

Mr. Bishop also practices in the firm’s estate planning section, where he assists clients with various estate planning matters, including wills, trusts, and probate proceedings.

Education:

Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark Law School (J.D., 2019, magna cum laude)

• Lead Article Editor, Brigham Young University Law Review (2018-2019)
• Order of the Coif

Brigham Young University (B.A. Political Science, 2015)

Personal:

Born in Salt Lake City, Utah
Foreign Languages: Spanish
Married, 4 children
Interests include baseball, basketball, music, reading, movies, spending time with his family, and comedy.

Areas of Expertise:

• Corporate Finance
• Corporate Law and Governance
• Landlord and Tenant Representation
• Mergers and Acquisitions
• Real Estate Development (Finance and Regulatory)
• Real Estate Purchase and Sale

Background & Experience:

Mr. Dearing works with the firm’s real estate, corporate and general business transactional groups. Mr. Dearing’s practice focuses on commercial real estate, finance, mergers, acquisitions, and other complex business and real estate transactions. In addition, Mr. Dearing joined the firm after practicing as a litigation attorney for a short time with a focus on complex business and real estate disputes.

Education:

Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark Law School (J.D., 2017, Magna Cum Laude)

• Order of the Coif

Utah Valley University, Woodbury School of Business (B.S. Accounting, 2013, Magna Cum Laude)

Professional Experience:

• Associate Attorney, Mitchell Barlow & Mansfield (2017-2018)

Areas of Expertise:

• Corporate Finance
• Corporate Law and Governance
• Mergers and Acquisitions

Background & Experience:

Mr. Deere assists mid-stage and mature companies with financings, recapitalizations, acquisitions, divestitures, mergers and other commercial transactions and agreements. He also assists early stage companies with formation, structure, strategic relationships and venture capital and other financings.

Education:

Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark Law School (J.D., 1991, summa cum laude)

• Lead Articles Editor, BYU Law Review
• J. Reuben Clark Award Recipient

Brigham Young University (M.Acc., B.S. Accounting, 1991, magna cum laude)

Personal:

Foreign language: Spanish
Married, 4 children
Interests include running, biking, history

Professional Experience:

• Clerk to the Honorable Deanell Reece Tacha, U.S. Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit, 1991-1992
• Carrington Coleman Sloman & Blumenthal, Dallas, Texas, 1992-1995
• R.G. Management Company, Orem, Utah, 1995-1997
• Adjunct Law Professor, Accounting and Finance for Lawyers, J. Reuben Clark Law School, Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark School of Law, 2008-2012

Areas of Expertise:

• Corporate Law and Governance
• Mergers and Acquisitions
• State and Local Government
• Municipal and Governmental Litigation
• Real Estate Development (Finance and Regulatory)
• Landlord and Tenant Representation
• Employment Litigation

Background & Experience:

Mr. Doxey provides general representation to businesses and public entities.  He advises businesses in transactional matters such as entity formation and governance, contracts, employment, land use and development, and mergers and acquisitions.  He counsels municipalities and other public entities on a broad range of legal issues, including land use, ordinance preparation, and public administration.  He also serves as a resource to connect clients with appropriate personnel at BTJD for estate planning, tax, litigation, and other matters.  As a result of his commercial litigation experience, Mr. Doxey emphasizes clarity and readability in documenting transactions for both private and public clients.

Education:

Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark Law School (J.D., 1985, cum laude)

Brigham Young University, Marriott School of Management (M.B.A., 1985)

Brigham Young University (B.A., Economics, 1981)

Personal:

Married, five children.
Foreign language: Spanish.
Interests include cycling, tennis, guitar, and spending time with family.
Completed nine Logan to Jackson (LOTOJA) 206-mile bicycle races.

Professional Experience:

• Member and Chair, City of Holladay Planning Commission, 2000-2005.
• Chair, City of Holladay Design Review Board, 2006-2012.
• Member, Utah Motor Vehicle Franchise Advisory Board, 2003-2011.
• Admitted to practice before the 10^th and 11^th Circuit Courts of Appeals.
• Admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Areas of Expertise:

• Corporate Finance
• Mergers and Acquisitions
• Corporate Law and Governance

Background & Experience:

Mr. Fine works with the firm’s business transactions group.  He advises clients in a variety of business law matters including entity formation, corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, finance, venture capital funding, service contracts, and other transactions and agreements.

Education:

Duke University School of Law (J.D., 2015)

• Moot Court Board
• Executive Editor, Duke Journal of Constitutional Law

Brigham Young University (B.A., Political Science, 2012, cum laude)

Personal:

Married, 1 daughter, 2 cats
Born in Provo, Utah; raised in Mesa, Arizona
Foreign language: Spanish

Professional Experience:

• Law Clerk, Justice Robert M. Brutinel, Arizona Supreme Court (2015-2016)
• Associate Attorney, Bracewell LLP (New York office, 2016-2018)
• Associate Attorney, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP (New York office, 2018-2021)
• Associate Attorney, Kirkland & Ellis LLP (Salt Lake City office, 2021-2022)

Areas of Expertise:

• Corporate Finance
• Corporate Law and Governance
• Mergers and Acquisitions

Background & Experience:

Mr. Fors works with the firm’s business transactions group. He advises clients on a variety of different business law matters. He represents acquirors and targets in structuring, negotiating and documenting mergers and acquisitions. He also assists early stage companies with formation, structure, strategic relationships, equity financings, convertible debt financings, and other financings.

Education:

Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark School of Law (J.D., 2005, magna cum laude)

• Lead Articles Editor, BYU Law Review

Brigham Young University (B.A. Political Science, 2001)

Personal:

Foreign language: Spanish

Professional Experience:

• Law Clerk – Justice Jill N. Parrish, Utah Supreme Court, 2006

Areas of Expertise:

• Corporate Finance
• Corporate Law and Governance
• Mergers and Acquisitions
• Real Estate Development (Finance and Regulatory)
• Real Estate Purchase and Sale

Background & Experience:

Mr. Hawkins serves as a trusted point of contact for all matters that touch on transactional law, from formation to financing to sale, and all important strategic agreements in between. In that capacity, he serves as a relationship partner and a consultant to clients and connects them to the right resources at BTJD in areas such as tax, benefits, labor, licensing, real property, executive compensation and litigation, as well as other resources outside his firm. He draws from his experience serving virtually every industry and vertical of companies in the Intermountain West to bring a practical and business-oriented approach to client needs. He has special focus and expertise on mergers and acquisitions, private equity transactions, venture capital and emerging company work, technology licensing and joint ventures, corporate governance, and executive compensation.

Education:

University of Chicago Law School (J.D., 1997, with honors)

• Member, University of Chicago Law Review

Brigham Young University (M.A., 1993, Managerial Economics, magna cum laude)
Brigham Young University (B.A., 1992, Economics, magna cum laude)

Personal:

Married, 4 children
Sometimes skier, canyoneer, and mountain biker.

Professional Experience:

• Kirkland & Ellis LLP, 1997-1998
• Snell & Wilmer L.L.P., 1998-2000
• Dorsey & Whitney LLP, 2000-2002

Areas of Expertise:

• Commercial Litigation
• Corporate Finance
• Corporate Law and Governance
• Mergers and Acquisitions
• Technology and Licensing

Background & Experience:

Mr. Jeppsen is an attorney in the firm’s business section, where he assists companies with formation, structure, asset protection, trademark registration, and contract drafting. Mr. Jeppsen also practices in the firm’s litigation section, with a particular emphasis on securities litigation and trademark infringement.

Education:

Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark Law School (J.D., 2014, magna cum laude)

• Law Review, Lead Articles Editor

Brigham Young University, Marriott School of Management (M.B.A., 2014)
Brigham Young University (B.A., 2006)

Areas of Expertise:

• Corporate Finance
• Corporate Law and Governance
• Estate Planning
• Landlord and Tenant Representation
• Mergers and Acquisitions
• Probate, Estate, and Trust Administration
• Real Estate Development (Finance and Regulatory)
• Real Estate Purchase and Sale
• Tax
• Technology and Licensing

Background & Experience:

Mr. Matson represents privately held companies, investors, and entrepreneurs in complex business transactions, with particular focus in business formation corporate restructuring, private equity and venture capital transactions, securities offerings and regulation, intellectual property licensing, corporate governance and compliance work, trademark and other general business, commercial and contractual matters.

Mr. Matson’s practice also encompasses all aspects of real estate law, including sales, purchases, leasing, financing, development and redevelopment, easements, CC&Rs, owner’s associations, development agreements, due diligence review for title and survey matters and associated agreements.

Education:

Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark Law School (J.D., 2009, magna cum laude)

• Member, Brigham Young University Law Review
• Executive Editor, Journal of Public Law

Brigham Young University (B.S., Accounting, 2004)

Personal:

Born in Ogden, Utah
Foreign Languages: Norwegian
Married, 5 children
Interests include reading, running, basketball, softball, golf, and spending time with family.

Areas of Expertise:

• Corporate Finance
• Corporate Law and Governance
• Mergers and Acquisitions
• Real Estate Development (Finance and Regulatory)
• Real Estate Purchase and Sale

Background & Experience:

Mr. Rawson is a partner at the firm practicing corporate and general business law. Mr. Rawson assists companies with financings, mergers, acquisitions, recapitalizations, and other business transactions and agreements. In addition, he assists early stage companies with formation, structure, strategic relationships, venture capital financings, and other financings.

Education:

Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark Law School (J.D., 2004, cum laude)

• Executive Editor, BYU Law Review

Utah State University (B.A., Accounting and Economics, 2001, magna cum laude)

Personal:

Foreign Language: Mandarin Chinese
Interests include basketball, reading, golf, and other sports.

Areas of Expertise:

• Corporate Finance
• Corporate Law and Governance
• Mergers and Acquisitions
• Venture Capital and Emerging Companies

Background & Experience:

John is an income partner and a member of BTJD’s corporate and business law group, with an emphasis on equity financing transactions and mergers and acquisitions. He represents clients at all phases of an entity’s lifecycle, from bootstrapping start-ups dealing with organizational matters and contract drafting issues, to growth stages involving venture capital financings and then eventually exits. John advises on various corporate and business matters, including entity restructures, drafting, reviewing and negotiating SaaS and license agreements and other commercial contracts.

John graduated magna cum laude with a J.D. from J. Reuben Clark Law School in 2017 and has been with BTJD since then. In law school, he was an Executive Editor of the BYU Law Review and Managing Editor of Administration of the BYU Journal of Public Law. John also participated in various extracurricular activities, including fifth grade mentoring.

During his undergraduate studies at California State University, Long Beach, John served in the Long Beach Courthouse’s Self-Help Legal Access Center for self-represented individuals in litigation matters, providing information about court procedures and filings as well as on-on-one assistance.

Education:

Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark Law School (J.D., 2017, magna cum laude)

• Executive Editor, BYU Law Review (2016-2017)
• Managing Editor of Administration, BYU Journal of Public Law (2016-2017)
• Executive Committee Member, International Law and Religion Symposium
• Order of the Coif

California State University, Long Beach (B.A., Political Science, 2013, summa cum laude)

Personal:

Born and raised in Antioch, California 1988
Married, two children
Interests include home improvement projects, technology and software development, cooking, and musical theater.

Areas of Expertise:

• Corporate Finance
• Corporate Law and Governance
• Estate Planning
• Probate, Estate, and Trust Administration
• Mergers and Acquisitions
• Real Estate Purchase and Sale

Background & Experience:

Ms. Manzanares has worked in the legal field since 2014 and has experience in estate planning, corporate and transactional law, domestic and family law, and expungements. She joined BTJD in 2022 and currently focuses on estate planning and corporate and transactional law.

Education:

Brigham Young University (B.A. Anthropology, 2021)

Personal:

Ms. Manzanares’ interests include horseback riding, reading, knitting, hiking, traveling, and spending time with her dog.

Areas of Expertise:

• Corporate Finance
• Corporate Law and Governance
• Estate Planning
• Exempt Organizations
• Mergers and Acquisitions
• Probate, Estate, and Trust Administration
• Real Estate Purchase and Sale

Background & Experience:

Ms. Turner has been with the firm since 2016 and works with the firm’s corporate and estate planning groups. Among many things, Ms. Turner’s experience includes work relating to corporate formation and governance, transaction closings, estate plan preparation and funding, trust and estate administration, and real estate matters, including boundary issues. Ms. Turner was one of the first to be commissioned as a Remote Notary in the State of Utah and maintains such commission as a convenient option for the firm’s clients.

Personal:

Married, one child, two dogs, one cat.
Interests include skiing/snowboarding, hiking, fly fishing, camping, horseback riding, gardening, baseball, photography, plants, and generally anything outdoors.

Areas of Expertise:

• Corporate Law and Governance
• Mergers and Acquisitions
• Landlord and Tenant Representation
• Corporate Finance
• Estate Planning
• Commercial Litigation

Background & Experience:

Mr. Alton primarily works with the firm’s business transactions group. He advises clients on a variety of business law matters including entity formation; corporate restructuring; corporate governance and strategic relationships; private equity, venture capital, and debt financing; recapitalizations; mergers and acquisitions; and commercial real estate transactions. Mr. Alton also works with the firm’s estate planning and taxation group (with a focus on estate planning) and assists the firm’s litigation group with complex commercial litigation matters from time to time.

Mr. Alton developed a broad range of legal experience prior to joining the firm. He practiced at Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, a preeminent international law firm, in Frankfurt, Germany and New York City (where he practiced in the areas of international capital markets and global disputes and investigations) and Beus Gilbert McGroder PLLC, a premier litigation and commercial real estate boutique in Phoenix, AZ (where he practiced in the area of high stakes commercial litigation, including disputes for breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, professional malpractice, patent infringement, and other intellectual properties disputes).

Education:

Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark Law School (J.D., 2018, magna cum laude)

• Order of the Coif
• Lead Note & Comment Editor, BYU Law Review
• Foreign Language and Area Studies Scholarship Recipient
• Maud Birkin Peterson Research Fellow, International Center for Law and Religion Studies

University of Pennsylvania (M.S. Education, 2011)

Brigham Young University (B.S. Business Strategy, Music Minor, 2009, cum laude with University Honors)

• Member of Phi Kappa Phi and Beta Gamma Sigma

Personal:

Mr. Alton is married with three children. Mr. Alton was born and raised in California and his wife was born and raised in Brazil. As a family, the Altons have lived in California, Utah, Brazil, Germany, New York, New Jersey, and Arizona. Mr. Alton is fluent in Portuguese and speaks some German. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, baking, hiking, exploring national parks, and choral singing.

Professional Experience:

• Member of the J. Reuben Clark Law Society
• Member of New York Bar and Arizona Bar
• Admitted to practice in Eastern District of New York and District of Arizona
• Associate Attorney, Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, 2018-2021 (Frankfurt, Germany and New York, NY)
• Associate Attorney, Beus Gilbert McGroder PLLC, 2021-2022 (Phoenix, AZ)

Areas of Expertise:

• Corporate Finance
• Corporate Law and Governance
• Landlord and Tenant Representation
• Mergers and Acquisitions
• Real Estate Development (Finance and Regulatory)
• Real Estate Purchase and Sale
• Venture Capital and Emerging Companies

Background & Experience:

Mr. Beatty assists companies, investors, and entrepreneurs with a wide range of complicated business transactions, including commercial real estate matters such as sales, purchases, leasing, and development, as well as securities offerings and regulation, mergers and acquisitions, and general corporate and compliance work. Mr. Beatty previously practiced as a capital markets attorney with a national firm focusing on public and private securities offerings and SEC and regulatory compliance.

Education:

Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark Law School (J.D., 2017, magna cum laude)

• Managing Editor of Administration, BYU Law Review (2016-2017)
• Lead Dean’s Fellow – Academic Success Program (2016-2017)

University of Idaho (B.S. Business, Operations Management, 2014, magna cum laude)

• National Merit Scholar

Personal:

Born in Las Vegas, Nevada

Married, four children

Interests include woodworking, soccer, reading, camping, and fishing.

Professional Experience:

Associate Attorney, Dorsey & Whitney, LLP (2020-2024)

Associate Attorney, Holley Driggs Walch Fine Puzey Stein & Thompson (2017-2020)

Areas of Expertise:

• Business Structure and Design
• Corporate Finance
• Corporate Law and Governance
• Estate Planning
• Exempt Organizations
• Mergers and Acquisitions
• Tax
• Taxes: Federal and State
• Trust and Estate Mediation

Background & Experience:

Mr. Bennett serves as an advisor to numerous entrepreneurs and various sized business enterprises. He serves on the board of trustees of various charitable and philanthropic organizations. Mr. Bennett was admitted to the Utah State Bar in 1990. He is the founding partner of Bennett Tueller Johnson & Deere.

Mr. Bennett was the principal draftsman of the Utah Limited Liability Company Act. He is a Certified Public Accountant.

Education:

Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark Law School (J.D., 1990, magna cum laude)

• Articles Editor, BYU Law Review 1989-1990

Brigham Young University (B.S., Accounting, 1987, magna cum laude)

• Order of the Coif

Personal:

Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, 1963
Married, 5 children and 3 grandchildren
Interests include hunting, boating, snow skiing and snowmobiling

Areas of Expertise:

• Corporate Finance
• Corporate Law and Governance
• Mergers and Acquisitions

Background & Experience:

Chalyse R. Bird works in the firm’s business section. She assists companies with formation, structure, financings, private offerings, recapitalizations, mergers, acquisitions and other commercial transactions.

Education:

Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark Law School (J.D., 2009, magna cum laude)

• Senior Editor, BYU Law Review
• Recipient, Carl and Rose Badger Scholarship

Brigham Young University (B.S. Business Finance, 2005, magna cum laude)

• Recipient, Heritage Scholarship
• Recipient, National Merit Scholarship

Personal:

Born in Murray, Utah
Married, 3 children
Interests include music, dancing, reading, sports, spending time with family, traveling, and HGTV.

Areas of Expertise:

• Corporate Finance
• Corporate Law and Governance
• Estate Planning
• Exempt Organizations
• Mergers and Acquisitions
• Probate, Estate, and Trust Administration
• Tax

Background & Experience:

Mr. Bishop is an associate in the firm’s corporate, general business transactional, and estate planning groups. Mr. Bishop assists clients with various business law matters, including formation, structure, corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, contract drafting, and other business transactions.

Mr. Bishop also practices in the firm’s estate planning section, where he assists clients with various estate planning matters, including wills, trusts, and probate proceedings.

Education:

Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark Law School (J.D., 2019, magna cum laude)

• Lead Article Editor, Brigham Young University Law Review (2018-2019)
• Order of the Coif

Brigham Young University (B.A. Political Science, 2015)

Personal:

Born in Salt Lake City, Utah
Foreign Languages: Spanish
Married, 4 children
Interests include baseball, basketball, music, reading, movies, spending time with his family, and comedy.

Areas of Expertise:

• Corporate Finance
• Corporate Law and Governance
• Landlord and Tenant Representation
• Mergers and Acquisitions
• Real Estate Development (Finance and Regulatory)
• Real Estate Purchase and Sale

Background & Experience:

Mr. Dearing works with the firm’s real estate, corporate and general business transactional groups. Mr. Dearing’s practice focuses on commercial real estate, finance, mergers, acquisitions, and other complex business and real estate transactions. In addition, Mr. Dearing joined the firm after practicing as a litigation attorney for a short time with a focus on complex business and real estate disputes.

Education:

Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark Law School (J.D., 2017, Magna Cum Laude)

• Order of the Coif

Utah Valley University, Woodbury School of Business (B.S. Accounting, 2013, Magna Cum Laude)

Professional Experience:

• Associate Attorney, Mitchell Barlow & Mansfield (2017-2018)

Areas of Expertise:

• Corporate Finance
• Corporate Law and Governance
• Mergers and Acquisitions

Background & Experience:

Mr. Deere assists mid-stage and mature companies with financings, recapitalizations, acquisitions, divestitures, mergers and other commercial transactions and agreements. He also assists early stage companies with formation, structure, strategic relationships and venture capital and other financings.

Education:

Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark Law School (J.D., 1991, summa cum laude)

• Lead Articles Editor, BYU Law Review
• J. Reuben Clark Award Recipient

Brigham Young University (M.Acc., B.S. Accounting, 1991, magna cum laude)

Personal:

Foreign language: Spanish
Married, 4 children
Interests include running, biking, history

Professional Experience:

• Clerk to the Honorable Deanell Reece Tacha, U.S. Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit, 1991-1992
• Carrington Coleman Sloman & Blumenthal, Dallas, Texas, 1992-1995
• R.G. Management Company, Orem, Utah, 1995-1997
• Adjunct Law Professor, Accounting and Finance for Lawyers, J. Reuben Clark Law School, Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark School of Law, 2008-2012

Areas of Expertise:

• Corporate Finance
• Mergers and Acquisitions
• Corporate Law and Governance

Background & Experience:

Mr. Fine works with the firm’s business transactions group.  He advises clients in a variety of business law matters including entity formation, corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, finance, venture capital funding, service contracts, and other transactions and agreements.

Education:

Duke University School of Law (J.D., 2015)

• Moot Court Board
• Executive Editor, Duke Journal of Constitutional Law

Brigham Young University (B.A., Political Science, 2012, cum laude)

Personal:

Married, 1 daughter, 2 cats
Born in Provo, Utah; raised in Mesa, Arizona
Foreign language: Spanish

Professional Experience:

• Law Clerk, Justice Robert M. Brutinel, Arizona Supreme Court (2015-2016)
• Associate Attorney, Bracewell LLP (New York office, 2016-2018)
• Associate Attorney, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP (New York office, 2018-2021)
• Associate Attorney, Kirkland & Ellis LLP (Salt Lake City office, 2021-2022)

Areas of Expertise:

• Corporate Finance
• Corporate Law and Governance
• Mergers and Acquisitions

Background & Experience:

Mr. Fors works with the firm’s business transactions group. He advises clients on a variety of different business law matters. He represents acquirors and targets in structuring, negotiating and documenting mergers and acquisitions. He also assists early stage companies with formation, structure, strategic relationships, equity financings, convertible debt financings, and other financings.

Education:

Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark School of Law (J.D., 2005, magna cum laude)

• Lead Articles Editor, BYU Law Review

Brigham Young University (B.A. Political Science, 2001)

Personal:

Foreign language: Spanish

Professional Experience:

• Law Clerk – Justice Jill N. Parrish, Utah Supreme Court, 2006

Areas of Expertise:

• Corporate Finance
• Corporate Law and Governance
• Mergers and Acquisitions
• Real Estate Development (Finance and Regulatory)
• Real Estate Purchase and Sale

Background & Experience:

Mr. Hawkins serves as a trusted point of contact for all matters that touch on transactional law, from formation to financing to sale, and all important strategic agreements in between. In that capacity, he serves as a relationship partner and a consultant to clients and connects them to the right resources at BTJD in areas such as tax, benefits, labor, licensing, real property, executive compensation and litigation, as well as other resources outside his firm. He draws from his experience serving virtually every industry and vertical of companies in the Intermountain West to bring a practical and business-oriented approach to client needs. He has special focus and expertise on mergers and acquisitions, private equity transactions, venture capital and emerging company work, technology licensing and joint ventures, corporate governance, and executive compensation.

Education:

University of Chicago Law School (J.D., 1997, with honors)

• Member, University of Chicago Law Review

Brigham Young University (M.A., 1993, Managerial Economics, magna cum laude)
Brigham Young University (B.A., 1992, Economics, magna cum laude)

Personal:

Married, 4 children
Sometimes skier, canyoneer, and mountain biker.

Professional Experience:

• Kirkland & Ellis LLP, 1997-1998
• Snell & Wilmer L.L.P., 1998-2000
• Dorsey & Whitney LLP, 2000-2002

Areas of Expertise:

• Commercial Litigation
• Corporate Finance
• Corporate Law and Governance
• Mergers and Acquisitions
• Technology and Licensing

Background & Experience:

Mr. Jeppsen is an attorney in the firm’s business section, where he assists companies with formation, structure, asset protection, trademark registration, and contract drafting. Mr. Jeppsen also practices in the firm’s litigation section, with a particular emphasis on securities litigation and trademark infringement.

Education:

Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark Law School (J.D., 2014, magna cum laude)

• Law Review, Lead Articles Editor

Brigham Young University, Marriott School of Management (M.B.A., 2014)
Brigham Young University (B.A., 2006)

Areas of Expertise:

• Corporate Finance
• Corporate Law and Governance
• Estate Planning
• Landlord and Tenant Representation
• Mergers and Acquisitions
• Probate, Estate, and Trust Administration
• Real Estate Development (Finance and Regulatory)
• Real Estate Purchase and Sale
• Tax
• Technology and Licensing

Background & Experience:

Mr. Matson represents privately held companies, investors, and entrepreneurs in complex business transactions, with particular focus in business formation corporate restructuring, private equity and venture capital transactions, securities offerings and regulation, intellectual property licensing, corporate governance and compliance work, trademark and other general business, commercial and contractual matters.

Mr. Matson’s practice also encompasses all aspects of real estate law, including sales, purchases, leasing, financing, development and redevelopment, easements, CC&Rs, owner’s associations, development agreements, due diligence review for title and survey matters and associated agreements.

Education:

Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark Law School (J.D., 2009, magna cum laude)

• Member, Brigham Young University Law Review
• Executive Editor, Journal of Public Law

Brigham Young University (B.S., Accounting, 2004)

Personal:

Born in Ogden, Utah
Foreign Languages: Norwegian
Married, 5 children
Interests include reading, running, basketball, softball, golf, and spending time with family.

Areas of Expertise:

• Corporate Finance
• Corporate Law and Governance
• Mergers and Acquisitions
• Real Estate Development (Finance and Regulatory)
• Real Estate Purchase and Sale

Background & Experience:

Mr. Rawson is a partner at the firm practicing corporate and general business law. Mr. Rawson assists companies with financings, mergers, acquisitions, recapitalizations, and other business transactions and agreements. In addition, he assists early stage companies with formation, structure, strategic relationships, venture capital financings, and other financings.

Education:

Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark Law School (J.D., 2004, cum laude)

• Executive Editor, BYU Law Review

Utah State University (B.A., Accounting and Economics, 2001, magna cum laude)

Personal:

Foreign Language: Mandarin Chinese
Interests include basketball, reading, golf, and other sports.

Areas of Expertise:

• Corporate Finance
• Corporate Law and Governance
• Mergers and Acquisitions
• Venture Capital and Emerging Companies

Background & Experience:

John is an income partner and a member of BTJD’s corporate and business law group, with an emphasis on equity financing transactions and mergers and acquisitions. He represents clients at all phases of an entity’s lifecycle, from bootstrapping start-ups dealing with organizational matters and contract drafting issues, to growth stages involving venture capital financings and then eventually exits. John advises on various corporate and business matters, including entity restructures, drafting, reviewing and negotiating SaaS and license agreements and other commercial contracts.

John graduated magna cum laude with a J.D. from J. Reuben Clark Law School in 2017 and has been with BTJD since then. In law school, he was an Executive Editor of the BYU Law Review and Managing Editor of Administration of the BYU Journal of Public Law. John also participated in various extracurricular activities, including fifth grade mentoring.

During his undergraduate studies at California State University, Long Beach, John served in the Long Beach Courthouse’s Self-Help Legal Access Center for self-represented individuals in litigation matters, providing information about court procedures and filings as well as on-on-one assistance.

Education:

Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark Law School (J.D., 2017, magna cum laude)

• Executive Editor, BYU Law Review (2016-2017)
• Managing Editor of Administration, BYU Journal of Public Law (2016-2017)
• Executive Committee Member, International Law and Religion Symposium
• Order of the Coif

California State University, Long Beach (B.A., Political Science, 2013, summa cum laude)

Personal:

Born and raised in Antioch, California 1988
Married, two children
Interests include home improvement projects, technology and software development, cooking, and musical theater.

Areas of Expertise:

• Corporate Finance
• Corporate Law and Governance
• Energy Project Development and Finance
• Landlord and Tenant Representation
• Real Estate Development (Finance and Regulatory)
• Real Estate Purchase and Sale

Background & Experience:

Mr. Tumblin works in the firm’s business transactions group.  Prior to joining the firm, he was a partner in both a large New York-based firm and a large Chicago-based firm.  Mr. Tumblin has broad experience in many types of business transactions, including real estate, energy, finance, transactional and general business counseling.  He has represented both public and privately-held clients, many of whom have relied on his counsel for over 25 years.  He has been a member of the board of directors of a Fortune 500 company, and has appeared on behalf of clients in the United States Supreme Court and other appellate courts.

Education:

J.D. University of Utah (B.A., 1987)

• Order of the Coif
• Note Editor, Utah Law Review

Brigham Young University (B.A., 1984, cum  laude, Phi Kappa Phi)

Professional Experience:

• Partner, Chapman and Cutler LLP, 2006-2012 (Chicago-based law firm)
• Partner, LeBeouf, Lamb, Greene & MacRae, 1987-2005 (New York City-based law firm)
• Adjunct Professor, J. Reuben Clark Law School, Brigham Young University, 2004-2005 (Law of Debtors and Creditors)
• Lecturer on commercial lending and real property matters
• Member, Board of Directors, Trans World Airlines, Inc., 1997-1998
• Board Member, Davis Community Housing Authority (Davis County, Utah)

Areas of Expertise:

• Corporate Finance
• Corporate Law and Governance
• Estate Planning
• Probate, Estate, and Trust Administration
• Mergers and Acquisitions
• Real Estate Purchase and Sale

Background & Experience:

Ms. Manzanares has worked in the legal field since 2014 and has experience in estate planning, corporate and transactional law, domestic and family law, and expungements. She joined BTJD in 2022 and currently focuses on estate planning and corporate and transactional law.

Education:

Brigham Young University (B.A. Anthropology, 2021)

Personal:

Ms. Manzanares’ interests include horseback riding, reading, knitting, hiking, traveling, and spending time with her dog.

Areas of Expertise:

• Corporate Finance
• Corporate Law and Governance
• Estate Planning
• Exempt Organizations
• Mergers and Acquisitions
• Probate, Estate, and Trust Administration
• Real Estate Purchase and Sale

Background & Experience:

Ms. Turner has been with the firm since 2016 and works with the firm’s corporate and estate planning groups. Among many things, Ms. Turner’s experience includes work relating to corporate formation and governance, transaction closings, estate plan preparation and funding, trust and estate administration, and real estate matters, including boundary issues. Ms. Turner was one of the first to be commissioned as a Remote Notary in the State of Utah and maintains such commission as a convenient option for the firm’s clients.

Personal:

Married, one child, two dogs, one cat.
Interests include skiing/snowboarding, hiking, fly fishing, camping, horseback riding, gardening, baseball, photography, plants, and generally anything outdoors.

Areas of Expertise:

• Appeals
• Commercial Litigation
• Construction Law and Litigation
• Creditor Rights
• Employment Litigation
• HOA Representation
• Landlord and Tenant Representation
• Probate and Trust Litigation
• Real Estate Litigation

Background & Experience:

Mr. Brough is a partner in the firm’s litigation department.  He maintains a general civil litigation practice with substantial experience in both federal and state courts.  His practice emphasizes general commercial litigation, corporate and business litigation, employment litigation (including enforcement of restrictive employment covenants), and construction litigation.  He has successfully litigated requests for expedited remedies, including requests for prejudgment writs, temporary restraining orders, and preliminary injunctions. He also maintains an appellate practice and has briefed and argued appeals before the Utah Supreme Court, the Utah Court of Appeals, the Idaho Supreme Court, and the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Mr. Brough has been named a Mountain States Super Lawyer from 2011-2017.

Mr. Brough previously served as a member of the Supreme Court Advisory Committee on the Rules of Professional Conduct and on the Utah Appellate Roster. He is a Barrister with the A. Sherman Christensen Inns of Court- I.

Education:

Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark Law School (J.D., 2004, magna cum laude)

• Order of the Coif
• Lead Note and Comment Editor, BYU Law Review

Brigham Young University (B.A., English, 2001)

Professional Experience:

• Law Clerk, Honorable Ferdinand F. Fernandez, United States
• Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, 2005–2006
• Law Clerk, Honorable Jill N. Parrish, Utah Supreme Court, 2004–2005

Areas of Expertise:

• Appeals
• Commercial Litigation
• Construction Law and Litigation
• Employment Litigation
• Municipal and Governmental Litigation
• Real Estate Litigation
• State and Local Government

Background & Experience:

Mr. Goff is an associate in the firm’s litigation department. His practice is focused on municipal law, as well as general civil and commercial litigation, including contract, employment, real property, and construction disputes. Mr. Goff also has experience in administrative practice, personal injury, and appellate work.

Education:

University of Utah, S.J. Quinney College of Law (J.D., 2022, cum laude)

• Utah Law Review, Executive Footnote Editor
• Pro Bono Initiative Fellow
• Outstanding Achievement Award, Immigration Law, 2020

Brigham Young University (B.A., Linguistics, 2018)

• Minor in History

Personal:

Foreign language: Spanish

Outside of work, Mr. Goff enjoys snowboarding, long-distance running, swimming, playing board games, and watching low-budget films.

Professional Experience:

• Attorney, Plant Christensen & Kanell, 2022-2023
• Judicial Extern, Honorable Judge Keith A. Kelly, Third District Court, 2021

Areas of Expertise:

• Probate and Trust Litigation
• Appeals
• Creditor Rights
• Employment Litigation
• Commercial Litigation
• Construction Law and Litigation
• Real Estate Litigation

Background & Experience:

Mr. Hooker is an associate in the firm’s litigation department. His practice is focused on commercial litigation, including contract disputes, construction litigation, trust and estate matters, and appeals.

Education:

Arizona State University, Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law (J.D. 2021, Magna Cum Laude)

• Order of the Coif
• Research Editor, Arizona State Law Journal

Utah Valley University (B.S. Philosophy, Magna Cum Laude)

Personal:

Mr. Hooker is married and has two children. Outside the office, he enjoys meditating, playing music, swimming, reading, and spending time with his family.

Professional Experience:

• Law Clerk, Chief Justice Matthew B. Durrant, Utah Supreme Court, 2021-2022.
• Extern, Judge Jennifer M. Perkins, Arizona Court of Appeals, 2020.

Areas of Expertise:

• Appeals
• Commercial Litigation
• Construction Law and Litigation
• Creditor Rights
• Employment Litigation
• Probate and Trust Litigation
• Real Estate Litigation

Background & Experience:

Mr. Johnson is one of BTJD’s founding partners. He started BTJD with a couple of college buddies after each of them had commenced their careers with large, elite law firms. They have grown BTJD to over 35 lawyers. It is a full service commercial firm. BTJD is highly regarded for its stable of top-notch lawyers—lawyers who know how to achieve the best possible results for their clients.

At BTJD, Mr. Johnson serves on the firm’s management committee. He routinely advises the firm and other firms on law firm management, conflicts of interest, and ethics issues. He also leads BTJD’s commercial litigation section. Managing and trying cases—particularly jury trials—is what he enjoys most about his job. For nearly thirty years, he has successfully managed complex, high-stakes disputes involving a wide array of subject matters: partnership disputes, creditor/debtor disputes, class actions, securities fraud cases, employment disputes (including disputes relating to the enforceability of restrictive covenants), trade secret litigation, real estate development disputes, construction defect litigation, and adversary proceedings in bankruptcy cases.

In the course of his practice, Mr. Johnson has tried, arbitrated, mediated, and successfully settled hundreds of cases. His forte is trial advocacy and oral argument. Clients, judges, jurors, and colleagues routinely note Mr. Johnson’s courtroom prowess and efficacy. He is known to strike the perfect balance of passion and reason, while making complex issues simple and easy to understand. One Utah trial judge noted Mr. Johnson’s expert advocacy by stating in a written ruling that “counsel in the case [were] some of the best and most proficient litigators this court has had the pleasure of watching work.”

Mr. Johnson has been a member of the Utah State Bar since 1992. He is admitted to practice law in Utah state and federal courts, the Ninth and Tenth Circuit Courts of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court. He has repeatedly been selected by his peers as one of Utah’s “Legal Elite.”

Publications:

• “Another Attempt to Eliminate Political Patronage: Rutan v. Republican Party of Illinois,” 27 Willamette L. Rev. 1529 (1991).

Education:

Willamette University College of Law (J.D., 1992, cum laude)

• Articles Editor, Willamette Law Review, 1991-1992

Brigham Young University (B.A., American Studies, 1988)

Personal:

Professional Experience:

• Attorney, Parsons, Behle & Latimer, Salt Lake City, UT, 1990-1994
• Member, Utah State Bar Association
• Member, American Bar Association
• Admitted to Practice before the 9th and 10th Circuit Court of Appeals
• Admitted to Practice before the U.S. Supreme Court

Areas of Expertise:

• Appeals
• Commercial Litigation
• Construction Law and Litigation
• Creditor Rights
• Employment Litigation
• Probate and Trust Litigation
• Real Estate Litigation
• Technology and Licensing

Background & Experience:

Mr. Jones is a business litigation attorney and partner with the firm whose practice focuses on intellectual property and competition-related disputes.

Concentrating primarily on the technology industry, Mr. Jones helps individuals and companies fight for and protect what matters most—their business and livelihood. Mr. Jones has obtained results for clients both inside and outside the courtroom. And in working with him through their complex and high stakes disputes, clients have thanked Jarom for his “professionalism,” “responsiveness,” and “attention to detail.” As put by one client, Mr. Jones was a “lifeline in a bad situation.”

In recent years, Mr. Jones has successfully helped clients prosecute and defend claims for trade secret misappropriation, trademark infringement, unfair competition, breach of fiduciary duty, and breach of employee non-competition, non-solicitation, and non-disclosure contracts. He also advises and counsels clients on employment matters and best business practices to prevent litigation in the first place.

Recent Representative Experience

• Achieved a multi-million-dollar settlement on behalf of a client against her former business partner in an action for racketeering, theft, and other claims.
• Obtained an award of attorneys’ fees for a client, as well as an order invalidating the opposing party’s non-competition agreement in a lawsuit filed by a competitor and former employer.
• Won a court order requiring a client’s former business partner to turn over stolen company records and to cease confusing customers and vendors through use of client’s name and trademark.
• Won a court order requiring a client’s former employee to cease illegally soliciting the client’s workforce and using or disclosing the client’s confidential information.
• Defended and obtained the dismissal of multi-million-dollar breach of contract and fraud claims, as well as obtained an award of attorneys’ fees in favor of the client.

Education:

Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark Law School (J.D., 2016, Summa Cum Laude)

• BYU Law Review, Senior Editor
• Federal Bar Association, BYU Chapter, President

Weber State University (B.S., Criminal Justice, 2013, Summa Cum Laude)

• Outstanding Criminal Justice Graduate of 2013

Personal:

Mr. Jones was born and raised in Ogden, Utah.
Outside of the office he enjoys backcountry skiing, traveling the world with his wife and kids, and finding mountain biking trails just wide enough to pull his kids’ trailer up.

Professional Experience:

• Judicial Extern, Justice Thomas R. Lee, Utah Supreme Court, 2014
• Judicial Extern, Judge David Sam, U.S. District Court, District of Utah, 2014
• Member attorney of the Goldwater Institute’s American Freedom Network, a network of pro bono attorneys protecting individual rights and preserving freedom.

Areas of Expertise:

• Appeals
• Commercial Litigation
• Creditor Rights
• Employment Litigation
• Landlord and Tenant Representation
• Probate and Trust Litigation
• Real Estate Litigation

Background & Experience:

Mr. Lee is a partner in the firm’s litigation department, with an emphasis in commercial litigation and real estate disputes.  Other areas of frequent practice include post-employment restrictive covenant disputes, appeals, collections, and landlord-tenant disputes.

Education:

Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark Law School (J.D., 2007, magna cum laude)

• Order of the Coif
• Articles Editor, Brigham Young University Law Review

University of Utah (B. Mus., jazz guitar performance, 2002, magna cum laude)

Personal:

Married, 3 children.
Interests include running, guitar, mountain biking, snowboarding, reading, and hiking.

Areas of Expertise:

• Appeals
• Commercial Litigation
• Family Law
• Guardianship/Conservatorship and Elder Law
• Probate and Trust Litigation

Background & Experience:

Ms. Morris is an associate in the firm’s litigation department. Her practice focuses on domestic and civil litigation. Ms. Morris’ family law practice includes divorce, custody disputes, modifications, enforcement issues, and protective orders. Ms. Morris also has experience in appeals, trusts and estates, probate, and guardianships.

Education:

University of Utah, S.J. Quinney College of Law (J.D., 2022, magna cum laude)

• Graduate Certificate in Criminal Law
• CALI Award, Evidence, 2020
• Outstanding Achievement Award, Property, 2020

Oregon State University (B.S., Sociology, 2019)

• Minor in Communications

Personal:

Outside of work, Ms. Morris enjoys spending time with her husband, family, and friends, watching and playing sports (particularly gymnastics and football), and traveling.

Professional Experience:

• Hanks & Peterson PC (2022-2023)
• Rocky Mountain Innocence Center (2020-2021)

Areas of Expertise:

• Appeals
• Commercial Litigation
• Construction Law and Litigation
• Family Law
• Municipal and Governmental Litigation
• Probate and Trust Litigation
• Real Estate Litigation

Background & Experience:

Mr. Morris is an associate in the firm’s litigation department. His practice focuses on general civil and commercial litigation, including contract disputes, business torts, and trust and estate litigation. Mr. Morris also has experience in family law and appellate work.

Education:

University of Utah, S.J. Quinney College of Law (J.D., 2022, magna cum laude)

• Utah Law Review, Executive Articles Editor
• S.J. Quinney Fellow
• CALI Award: Religion and the 1st Amendment

Brigham Young University (B.A. Journalism, B.A. Portuguese, 2018, summa cum laude)

• Minor in Editing

Personal:

Foreign language: Portuguese

Outside the office, Mr. Morris enjoys spending time with his wife, playing basketball, going to classic rock and roll concerts, practicing guitar, and reading.

Professional Experience:

• Law Clerk, Honorable Chief Justice Matthew B. Durrant, Utah Supreme Court (2022-2023)
• Judicial Extern, Judge David Nuffer, United States District Court for the District of Utah (2021)
• Judicial Extern, Honorable Justice Thomas R. Lee, Utah Supreme Court (2020)
• Law Clerk, Attorney General’s Office, Litigation Division (2020)

Areas of Expertise:

• Commercial Litigation
• Administrative Litigation
• Construction Law and Litigation
• Creditor Rights
• Employment Litigation
• Government Affairs: State and Federal
• Landlord and Tenant Representation
• Municipal and Governmental Litigation
• Real Estate Development (Finance and Regulatory)
• Real Estate Litigation
• Securities Litigation

Background & Experience:

Mr. Reutzel is a seasoned and aggressive litigator. He zealously advocates his clients’ positions, takes a comprehensive view of his clients’ legal challenges, and implements legal strategies to achieve his clients’ desired outcomes. He is, first and foremost, a problem solver.

Mr. Reutzel has been successful in courts and tribunals across the country—from California to Utah to New York. He routinely defends clients in complex and high-stakes litigation, represents clients in administrative proceedings, and obtains judgments and settlements for millions of dollars.

In addition to his litigation practice, Mr. Reutzel is heavily involved in alternative dispute resolution. In certain circumstances, a client may be better served by mediation or arbitration. Mr. Reutzel is expert in these processes and employs them, as necessary, to achieve his clients’ goals. He also regularly helps his clients design and implement dispute resolution provisions for use in their written agreements.

Mr. Reutzel is a partner in the firm. As a result of his success, he has been recognized by Super Lawyers Magazine as a “Rising Star” and by Utah Business Magazine as “Legal Elite” in the category of Civil Litigation.

Education:

University of Utah, S.J. Quinney College of Law (J.D., 2005)

• Order of the Coif
• Articles Editor, Utah Law Review
• University of Utah, S.J. Quinney College of Law Moot Court Team
• William H. Leary Scholar

University of Utah (B.S., Economics, 2002)

Personal:

Mr. Reutzel enjoys anything that involves his family or the outdoors, including whitewater rafting, mountain biking, climbing, canyoneering, skiing, hiking, and backpacking. In recent years, Mr. Reutzel has coached a local junior high school mountain bike team. He takes great satisfaction in coaching and watching his team members improve and compete.

Professional Experience:

• Member, Pleasant Grove, Utah, Board of Adjustments
• Law Clerk, United States Senate Judiciary Committee, 2004
• Member, Utah State Bar Association
• Member, Executive Committee, Young Lawyers Division, Utah State Bar Association
• Member, American Bar Association
• Member, Association of Trial Lawyers of America

Areas of Expertise:

• Commercial Litigation
• Administrative Litigation
• Construction Law and Litigation
• Creditor Rights
• Employment Litigation
• Government Affairs: State and Federal
• Landlord and Tenant Representation
• Municipal and Governmental Litigation
• Real Estate Development (Finance and Regulatory)
• Real Estate Litigation
• Securities Litigation

Background & Experience:

Mr. Reutzel is a seasoned and aggressive litigator. He zealously advocates his clients’ positions, takes a comprehensive view of his clients’ legal challenges, and implements legal strategies to achieve his clients’ desired outcomes. He is, first and foremost, a problem solver.

Mr. Reutzel has been successful in courts and tribunals across the country—from California to Utah to New York. He routinely defends clients in complex and high-stakes litigation, represents clients in administrative proceedings, and obtains judgments and settlements for millions of dollars.

In addition to his litigation practice, Mr. Reutzel is heavily involved in alternative dispute resolution. In certain circumstances, a client may be better served by mediation or arbitration. Mr. Reutzel is expert in these processes and employs them, as necessary, to achieve his clients’ goals. He also regularly helps his clients design and implement dispute resolution provisions for use in their written agreements.

Mr. Reutzel is a partner in the firm. As a result of his success, he has been recognized by Super Lawyers Magazine as a “Rising Star” and by Utah Business Magazine as “Legal Elite” in the category of Civil Litigation.

Education:

University of Utah, S.J. Quinney College of Law (J.D., 2005)

• Order of the Coif
• Articles Editor, Utah Law Review
• University of Utah, S.J. Quinney College of Law Moot Court Team
• William H. Leary Scholar

University of Utah (B.S., Economics, 2002)

Personal:

Mr. Reutzel enjoys anything that involves his family or the outdoors, including whitewater rafting, mountain biking, climbing, canyoneering, skiing, hiking, and backpacking. In recent years, Mr. Reutzel has coached a local junior high school mountain bike team. He takes great satisfaction in coaching and watching his team members improve and compete.

Professional Experience:

• Member, Pleasant Grove, Utah, Board of Adjustments
• Law Clerk, United States Senate Judiciary Committee, 2004
• Member, Utah State Bar Association
• Member, Executive Committee, Young Lawyers Division, Utah State Bar Association
• Member, American Bar Association
• Member, Association of Trial Lawyers of America

Areas of Expertise:

• Commercial Litigation
• Construction Law and Litigation
• Employment Litigation
• Family Law
• Municipal and Governmental Litigation
• Probate and Trust Litigation
• Real Estate Development (Finance and Regulatory)
• Real Estate Litigation
• State and Local Government

Background & Experience:

Mr. Bosserman is an associate in the firm’s litigation department. His practice is focused on general civil and commercial litigation, including contract, real property, and construction disputes. Mr. Bosserman also has experience in municipal law, administrative practice, and appellate work.

Education:

Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark Law School (J.D., 2017, magna cum laude)

• Order of the Coif
• BYU Law Review, Senior Editor
• Steve G. & Marylnn F. Forseyth Fellow

Utah Valley University (B.A., Political Science, 2014, summa cum laude)

Personal:

Foreign Language: Tagalog
Mr. Bosserman is married and has three children. He enjoys basketball, indoor soccer, sports radio, and classic cars.

Professional Experience:

• Law Clerk, Honorable Chief Justice Matthew B. Durrant, Utah Supreme Court,  2017-2018
• Judicial Extern, Honorable Chief Justice Matthew B. Durrant, Utah Supreme Court, 2015
• Judicial Extern, Honorable Judge Ted Stewart, U.S. District Court, District of Utah, 2015

Areas of Expertise:

• Guardianship/Conservatorship and Elder Law
• Probate, Estate, and Trust Administration
• Probate and Trust Litigation
• Municipal and Governmental Litigation
• State and Local Government
• Trust and Estate Mediation

Background & Experience:

David Connors was appointed as a Utah District Court Judge by Governor Jon M. Huntsman, Jr.  and began his service in January 2008, after over 25 years of nationwide private practice experience as a commercial litigator handling complex civil litigation. He retired as a judge in March 2023. While a judge, he handled hundreds of mediations, arbitrations and trials, including Judicial Settlement Conferences (mediations conducted by a judge who is not the assigned judge on a case). In private practice, he was an early advocate of mediation and arbitration as efficient methods for settling high conflict disputes. Prior to his time on the bench, Judge Connors focused his practice as a business lawyer and commercial litigator for large national and international law firms.

In addition to his judgeship and private law practice, Judge Connors has a long history of public involvement, including service as a city council member and Mayor of Farmington, Utah, and service on various public committees, commissions and boards, such as the Davis County Council of Governments, Wasatch Front Regional Council, Davis Education Foundation, and Economic Development Corporation of Utah.

Education:

Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark Law School (J.D. degree, magna cum laude)

• Law Review; J. Reuben Clark Scholar

Yale University (B.A., Political Science)

• Kennedy T. Friend Scholar

Personal:

Interests include fly fishing, golf, spending time with four children and eleven grandchildren, and acting as roadie and amateur sound engineer for his wife, Cori Connors, who is a nationally and internationally recognized singer-songwriter.

Professional Experience:

• Law Clerk to the Honorable Ellsworth A. VanGraafeiland, U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit, headquartered in New York City.
• Private practice with LeBoeuf, Lamb, Greene & MacRae (Partner and Utah Litigation Department head); Chapman & Cutler (Partner and Utah Litigation Department Head); Mabey Murray (Partner and Litigation Department Head); and K&L Gates (formerly Kirkpatrick, Lockhart, Johnson & Hutchison).
• American Bar Association, Judicial Division, National Conference of State Trial Judges, (past Chair and current Executive Committee member)
• American Inns of Court, Rex E. Lee Chapter, President 2013-2015
• Utah Working Interdisciplinary Network of Guardianship Stakeholders (Utah WINGS), Chair, 2015-2018
• Utah State Bar (CLE Oversight Committee, CLE presenter)
• Fee Arbitration Committee, Utah State Bar (arbitrator, 1993-present)
• Litigation Section, Utah State Bar
• Business Law Section, Utah State Bar (former Chair)

Areas of Expertise:

• Corporate Law and Governance
• Mergers and Acquisitions
• State and Local Government
• Municipal and Governmental Litigation
• Real Estate Development (Finance and Regulatory)
• Landlord and Tenant Representation
• Employment Litigation

Background & Experience:

Mr. Doxey provides general representation to businesses and public entities.  He advises businesses in transactional matters such as entity formation and governance, contracts, employment, land use and development, and mergers and acquisitions.  He counsels municipalities and other public entities on a broad range of legal issues, including land use, ordinance preparation, and public administration.  He also serves as a resource to connect clients with appropriate personnel at BTJD for estate planning, tax, litigation, and other matters.  As a result of his commercial litigation experience, Mr. Doxey emphasizes clarity and readability in documenting transactions for both private and public clients.

Education:

Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark Law School (J.D., 1985, cum laude)

Brigham Young University, Marriott School of Management (M.B.A., 1985)

Brigham Young University (B.A., Economics, 1981)

Personal:

Married, five children.
Foreign language: Spanish.
Interests include cycling, tennis, guitar, and spending time with family.
Completed nine Logan to Jackson (LOTOJA) 206-mile bicycle races.

Professional Experience:

• Member and Chair, City of Holladay Planning Commission, 2000-2005.
• Chair, City of Holladay Design Review Board, 2006-2012.
• Member, Utah Motor Vehicle Franchise Advisory Board, 2003-2011.
• Admitted to practice before the 10^th and 11^th Circuit Courts of Appeals.
• Admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Areas of Expertise:

• Commercial Litigation
• Construction Law and Litigation
• Employment Litigation
• Landlord and Tenant Representation
• Municipal and Governmental Litigation
• Probate and Trust Litigation
• Real Estate Litigation
• Trust and Estate Mediation

Background & Experience:

Mr. Dunkelberger is a partner in the firm’s litigation section.  James has many years of experience advising and advocating for businesses ranging from single-member entities and sole-proprietorships to national and multi-national companies with hundreds or thousands of employees.  James’s practice also includes individuals in disputes regarding trusts and estates, real estate, government regulation, and torts, among other things.  James also has significant experience in municipal law both in representing cities and towns and representing companies and individuals in matters involving permits, variances, and related matters.

Education:

Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark Law School (J.D., 2011, summa cum laude)

• Order of the Coif
• Lead Articles Editor, Brigham Young University Law Review

Idaho State University (B.S. Political Science, 2008)

Personal:

Married, 5 children

Areas of Expertise:

• Appeals
• Commercial Litigation
• Construction Law and Litigation
• Employment Litigation
• Municipal and Governmental Litigation
• Real Estate Litigation
• State and Local Government

Background & Experience:

Mr. Goff is an associate in the firm’s litigation department. His practice is focused on municipal law, as well as general civil and commercial litigation, including contract, employment, real property, and construction disputes. Mr. Goff also has experience in administrative practice, personal injury, and appellate work.

Education:

University of Utah, S.J. Quinney College of Law (J.D., 2022, cum laude)

• Utah Law Review, Executive Footnote Editor
• Pro Bono Initiative Fellow
• Outstanding Achievement Award, Immigration Law, 2020

Brigham Young University (B.A., Linguistics, 2018)

• Minor in History

Personal:

Foreign language: Spanish

Outside of work, Mr. Goff enjoys snowboarding, long-distance running, swimming, playing board games, and watching low-budget films.

Professional Experience:

• Attorney, Plant Christensen & Kanell, 2022-2023
• Judicial Extern, Honorable Judge Keith A. Kelly, Third District Court, 2021

Areas of Expertise:

• Employment Litigation
• Government Affairs: State and Federal
• Municipal and Governmental Litigation
• Real Estate Development (Finance and Regulatory)
• State and Local Government

Background & Experience:

Mr. Hall has represented cities and towns for more than four decades while serving as an in-house city attorney and privately with the firm.

Areas of practice includes litigation, real estate, government entity representation including police & fire departments, public utilities and interlocal agencies

Education:

Baylor University School of Law (J.D., 1975)

Brigham Young University (B.A., Political Science, 1974)

Personal:

Born in Rock Springs, Wyoming, 1950
Married, 4 children
Interests including boating, skiing hiking and youth activities

Professional Experience:

• Member, Utah State Bar Association
• Member, Texas State Bar
• Member American Bar Association
• Admitted to Practice before the 10^th Circuit Court of Appeals
• Admitted to Practice before the U.S. Supreme Court

Areas of Expertise:

• Appeals
• Commercial Litigation
• Construction Law and Litigation
• Family Law
• Municipal and Governmental Litigation
• Probate and Trust Litigation
• Real Estate Litigation

Background & Experience:

Mr. Morris is an associate in the firm’s litigation department. His practice focuses on general civil and commercial litigation, including contract disputes, business torts, and trust and estate litigation. Mr. Morris also has experience in family law and appellate work.

Education:

University of Utah, S.J. Quinney College of Law (J.D., 2022, magna cum laude)

• Utah Law Review, Executive Articles Editor
• S.J. Quinney Fellow
• CALI Award: Religion and the 1st Amendment

Brigham Young University (B.A. Journalism, B.A. Portuguese, 2018, summa cum laude)

• Minor in Editing

Personal:

Foreign language: Portuguese

Outside the office, Mr. Morris enjoys spending time with his wife, playing basketball, going to classic rock and roll concerts, practicing guitar, and reading.

Professional Experience:

• Law Clerk, Honorable Chief Justice Matthew B. Durrant, Utah Supreme Court (2022-2023)
• Judicial Extern, Judge David Nuffer, United States District Court for the District of Utah (2021)
• Judicial Extern, Honorable Justice Thomas R. Lee, Utah Supreme Court (2020)
• Law Clerk, Attorney General’s Office, Litigation Division (2020)

Areas of Expertise:

• Commercial Litigation
• Administrative Litigation
• Construction Law and Litigation
• Creditor Rights
• Employment Litigation
• Government Affairs: State and Federal
• Landlord and Tenant Representation
• Municipal and Governmental Litigation
• Real Estate Development (Finance and Regulatory)
• Real Estate Litigation
• Securities Litigation

Background & Experience:

Mr. Reutzel is a seasoned and aggressive litigator. He zealously advocates his clients’ positions, takes a comprehensive view of his clients’ legal challenges, and implements legal strategies to achieve his clients’ desired outcomes. He is, first and foremost, a problem solver.

Mr. Reutzel has been successful in courts and tribunals across the country—from California to Utah to New York. He routinely defends clients in complex and high-stakes litigation, represents clients in administrative proceedings, and obtains judgments and settlements for millions of dollars.

In addition to his litigation practice, Mr. Reutzel is heavily involved in alternative dispute resolution. In certain circumstances, a client may be better served by mediation or arbitration. Mr. Reutzel is expert in these processes and employs them, as necessary, to achieve his clients’ goals. He also regularly helps his clients design and implement dispute resolution provisions for use in their written agreements.

Mr. Reutzel is a partner in the firm. As a result of his success, he has been recognized by Super Lawyers Magazine as a “Rising Star” and by Utah Business Magazine as “Legal Elite” in the category of Civil Litigation.

Education:

University of Utah, S.J. Quinney College of Law (J.D., 2005)

• Order of the Coif
• Articles Editor, Utah Law Review
• University of Utah, S.J. Quinney College of Law Moot Court Team
• William H. Leary Scholar

University of Utah (B.S., Economics, 2002)

Personal:

Mr. Reutzel enjoys anything that involves his family or the outdoors, including whitewater rafting, mountain biking, climbing, canyoneering, skiing, hiking, and backpacking. In recent years, Mr. Reutzel has coached a local junior high school mountain bike team. He takes great satisfaction in coaching and watching his team members improve and compete.

Professional Experience:

• Member, Pleasant Grove, Utah, Board of Adjustments
• Law Clerk, United States Senate Judiciary Committee, 2004
• Member, Utah State Bar Association
• Member, Executive Committee, Young Lawyers Division, Utah State Bar Association
• Member, American Bar Association
• Member, Association of Trial Lawyers of America

Areas of Expertise:

• Commercial Litigation
• Construction Law and Litigation
• Creditor Rights
• Employment Litigation
• Municipal and Governmental Litigation
• Probate and Trust Litigation
• Real Estate Litigation
• Trust and Estate Mediation

Background & Experience:

Mr. Tracy has extensive experience representing clients in federal and state courts.  His civil litigation practice includes a heavy emphasis in trust and estate litigation, complex commercial litigation, banking litigation and construction litigation.  He works closely with Robert S. Tippett, the author of the The Utah Law of Trusts & Estates and one of the foremost trust and estate planning attorneys in Utah, on trust and estate matters. Mr. Tracy has represented several major financial institutions in banking litigation matters. Mr. Tracy has been awarded the Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent® Rating, the highest rating awarded by Martindale-Hubbell to attorneys for professional competence and ethics.  He has also been named to Utah Legal Elite.  Prior to joining Bennett Tueller Johnson & Deere, Mr. Tracy worked with the international law firm of LeBouef, Lamb, Greene & MacRae (headquartered in New York City) and the national law firm of Chapman and Cutler (headquartered in Chicago). Mr. Tracy is a member of the Utah, Colorado and Idaho State Bars.

Education:

Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark School of Law (J.D., 1993,magna cum laude)

• Senior Editor, BYU Law Review 1991-1993
• Order of the Coif

Brigham Young University (B.S. Accounting, 1990, summa cum laude)

• Named the outstanding accounting graduate Class of 1990

Personal:

Mr. Tracy was born and raised in Southeastern Idaho where he worked on local dairy and potato farms as a youth, and  graduated from Ririe High School.  He served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to Haiti Port-au-Prince and speaks French and Haitian Creole.  He is married and the father of six children.  He has been active as a  leader in his local church congregation and the Boy Scouts of America for over 25 years.  His hobbies include spending time with his family, cheering for the Utah Jazz, attending college athletic events, coaching youth sports, camping, and gardening.

Professional Experience:

• Partner – Chapman and Cutler LLP, Salt Lake City, UT, 2006 – 2011
• Partner – Mabey Murray LC, Salt Lake City, UT, 2005- 2006
• Attorney – LeBoeuf, Lamb, Greene & MacRae, LLP, 1999 – 2005
• Partner – Parry Anderson & Gardiner, Salt Lake City, UT, 1998 -1999 (Associate 1993 – 1999)
• Member – Utah State Bar Association, Colorado State Bar Association, Idaho State Bar Association, American Bar Association

Areas of Expertise:

• Commercial Litigation
• Construction Law and Litigation
• Creditor Rights
• Employment Litigation
• Municipal and Governmental Litigation
• Real Estate Litigation

Background & Experience:

Mr. Weaver is an associate in the firm’s litigation department. His practice is focused on general civil and commercial litigation, including contract and real property disputes. Mr. Weaver also has experience in creditor rights work, municipal and government litigation, and construction disputes.

Education:

University of Utah, S.J. Quinney College of Law (J.D., 2022)

University of Utah (BMus., Piano Performance, 2017, cum laude)

Personal:

Outside of work, Mr. Weaver enjoys canyoneering, hiking, running, and cooking homemade meals and desserts with his wife.

Professional Experience:

Attorney, Plant Christensen & Kanell, 2022-2023

Judicial Extern, Judge Jill M. Pohlman, Utah Court of Appeals, 2020

Research Assistant, Jorge L. Contreras, Utah Real Property Treatise, 2020

Areas of Expertise:

• Appeals
• Commercial Litigation
• Construction Law and Litigation
• Creditor Rights
• Employment Litigation
• HOA Representation
• Landlord and Tenant Representation
• Probate and Trust Litigation
• Real Estate Litigation

Background & Experience:

Mr. Brough is a partner in the firm’s litigation department.  He maintains a general civil litigation practice with substantial experience in both federal and state courts.  His practice emphasizes general commercial litigation, corporate and business litigation, employment litigation (including enforcement of restrictive employment covenants), and construction litigation.  He has successfully litigated requests for expedited remedies, including requests for prejudgment writs, temporary restraining orders, and preliminary injunctions. He also maintains an appellate practice and has briefed and argued appeals before the Utah Supreme Court, the Utah Court of Appeals, the Idaho Supreme Court, and the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Mr. Brough has been named a Mountain States Super Lawyer from 2011-2017.

Mr. Brough previously served as a member of the Supreme Court Advisory Committee on the Rules of Professional Conduct and on the Utah Appellate Roster. He is a Barrister with the A. Sherman Christensen Inns of Court- I.

Education:

Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark Law School (J.D., 2004, magna cum laude)

• Order of the Coif
• Lead Note and Comment Editor, BYU Law Review

Brigham Young University (B.A., English, 2001)

Professional Experience:

• Law Clerk, Honorable Ferdinand F. Fernandez, United States
• Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, 2005–2006
• Law Clerk, Honorable Jill N. Parrish, Utah Supreme Court, 2004–2005

Areas of Expertise:

• Commercial Litigation
• Construction Law and Litigation
• Corporate Law and Governance
• Creditor Rights
• Employment Litigation
• Real Estate Litigation

Background & Experience:

Mr. Goodrich is a partner in the firm’s litigation department whose practice focuses on representing employers in state and federal court and before administrative agencies such as the Utah Labor Commission, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Department of Labor, the Utah Occupational Safety and Health Division, and other governmental agencies. Mr. Goodrich has represented numerous large and small Utah businesses in litigation matters involving claims for wrongful termination, sexual harassment, discrimination, retaliation, overtime and wage issues, workplace safety citations, covenants not to compete, arbitration agreements, and related issues. While Mr. Goodrich’s primary focus is litigation, he also counsels and assists employers regarding Title VII, state and federal wage and hour laws, the ADA, the ADEA, the FMLA, USERRA, classification of employees, terminations, separation agreements, employee handbooks, and other employment issues. Mr. Goodrich endeavors to help his clients implement effective strategies and best practices for avoiding costly and unnecessary claims wherever possible.

In addition to his employment practice, Mr. Goodrich also represents clients in business and commercial matters, including insurance coverage litigation, contract disputes, construction liens, payment bonds, and real property matters.

Education:

University of Utah, S.J. Quinney College of Law (J.D., 2006)

• Staff Editor and Member, University of Utah Law Review
• William H. Leary Scholar
• Judicial Intern, Honorable Dee Benson, United States District Court for the District of Utah
• Recipient, CALI Excellence for the Future Awards (Natural Resources & Cyberlaw)

University of Utah (B.A., Political Science, 2001, cum laude) (B.A., Spanish, 2001)

Personal:

Born in Vernal, Utah
Married, five children
Foreign language: Spanish
Interests include mountain biking, running, canyoneering, backpacking, skiing, politics, and sports.

Professional Experience:

• Admitted to practice in state and federal courts of Utah
• Member, Utah State Bar Association
• Member, Legislative Committee, Associated General Contractors of Utah
• Continuing Education Instructor, Construction Law, Associated General Contractors of Utah

Areas of Expertise:

• Probate and Trust Litigation
• Appeals
• Creditor Rights
• Employment Litigation
• Commercial Litigation
• Construction Law and Litigation
• Real Estate Litigation

Background & Experience:

Mr. Hooker is an associate in the firm’s litigation department. His practice is focused on commercial litigation, including contract disputes, construction litigation, trust and estate matters, and appeals.

Education:

Arizona State University, Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law (J.D. 2021, Magna Cum Laude)

• Order of the Coif
• Research Editor, Arizona State Law Journal

Utah Valley University (B.S. Philosophy, Magna Cum Laude)

Personal:

Mr. Hooker is married and has two children. Outside the office, he enjoys meditating, playing music, swimming, reading, and spending time with his family.

Professional Experience:

• Law Clerk, Chief Justice Matthew B. Durrant, Utah Supreme Court, 2021-2022.
• Extern, Judge Jennifer M. Perkins, Arizona Court of Appeals, 2020.

Areas of Expertise:

• Commercial Litigation
• Creditor Rights
• Employment Litigation
• Real Estate Litigation
• Technology and Licensing

Background & Experience:

Areas of practice include commercial litigation, including litigation of partnership and internal company disputes, employer-employee disputes, trademark disputes, real estate disputes, creditor-debtor disputes, “claw-back” actions initiated by trustees or receivers, and bankruptcy disputes. Mr. Inouye has experience helping companies to resolve issues with state regulatory agencies involving laws governing telemarketing as well as experience in working with companies to comply with and defend against lawsuits brought under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act.  He has repeatedly been named as a “Rising Star” by Mountain States Super Lawyers magazine and has been voted by his peers as one of Utah’s “Legal Elite.”

Education:

Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark Law School (2003)

Brigham Young University (B.A. Philosophy, 1999)

Personal:

Two-time member of US Ski Mountaineering Team.
Speed Record ski ascent and descent of Grand Teton, ski descent of Mt. McKinley.
Soccer coach.
Competitive skier, runner, and biker.

Professional Experience:

• Associate Attorney, Mabey Murray LC, Salt Lake City, UT, 2005-2006
• Associate Attorney, LeBoeuf Lamb Greene & Macrae, Salt Lake City, UT, 2004-2005
• Judicial Law Clerk for the Honorable Robert C. Jones, U.S. District Court, District of Nevada, 2003-2004
• Judicial Law Clerk for the Honorable Robert C. Jones, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Nevada, 2003
• Member, Utah State Bar Association
• Member, Nevada State Bar Association

Areas of Expertise:

• Commercial Litigation
• Employment Litigation
• Creditor Rights
• Real Estate Litigation

Background & Experience:

Mr. Jaussi is an associate in the firm’s litigation department. His practice is focused on general civil and commercial litigation, including contract and real property disputes. Mr. Jaussi also has experience in creditor rights work. Mr. Jaussi is a member of the Utah and Oregon State Bars.

Education:

Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark Law School (J.D., 2020, cum laude)

• Associate Editor, BYU Law Review
• Lead Fellow, BYU Community Legal Clinic

Brigham Young University (B.A., Spanish Translation, 2017)

• Minor in Communications

Personal:

Foreign Language: Spanish
Married, two children.
Interests include basketball, golf, and spending time with family.

Professional Experience:

• Attorney, Snell & Wilmer, LLP, 2020 – 2022
• Judicial Extern, Honorable Judge Paul M. Warner, U.S. District Court, District of Utah, 2018

Areas of Expertise:

• Appeals
• Commercial Litigation
• Construction Law and Litigation
• Creditor Rights
• Employment Litigation
• Probate and Trust Litigation
• Real Estate Litigation

Background & Experience:

Mr. Johnson is one of BTJD’s founding partners. He started BTJD with a couple of college buddies after each of them had commenced their careers with large, elite law firms. They have grown BTJD to over 35 lawyers. It is a full service commercial firm. BTJD is highly regarded for its stable of top-notch lawyers—lawyers who know how to achieve the best possible results for their clients.

At BTJD, Mr. Johnson serves on the firm’s management committee. He routinely advises the firm and other firms on law firm management, conflicts of interest, and ethics issues. He also leads BTJD’s commercial litigation section. Managing and trying cases—particularly jury trials—is what he enjoys most about his job. For nearly thirty years, he has successfully managed complex, high-stakes disputes involving a wide array of subject matters: partnership disputes, creditor/debtor disputes, class actions, securities fraud cases, employment disputes (including disputes relating to the enforceability of restrictive covenants), trade secret litigation, real estate development disputes, construction defect litigation, and adversary proceedings in bankruptcy cases.

In the course of his practice, Mr. Johnson has tried, arbitrated, mediated, and successfully settled hundreds of cases. His forte is trial advocacy and oral argument. Clients, judges, jurors, and colleagues routinely note Mr. Johnson’s courtroom prowess and efficacy. He is known to strike the perfect balance of passion and reason, while making complex issues simple and easy to understand. One Utah trial judge noted Mr. Johnson’s expert advocacy by stating in a written ruling that “counsel in the case [were] some of the best and most proficient litigators this court has had the pleasure of watching work.”

Mr. Johnson has been a member of the Utah State Bar since 1992. He is admitted to practice law in Utah state and federal courts, the Ninth and Tenth Circuit Courts of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court. He has repeatedly been selected by his peers as one of Utah’s “Legal Elite.”

Publications:

• “Another Attempt to Eliminate Political Patronage: Rutan v. Republican Party of Illinois,” 27 Willamette L. Rev. 1529 (1991).

Education:

Willamette University College of Law (J.D., 1992, cum laude)

• Articles Editor, Willamette Law Review, 1991-1992

Brigham Young University (B.A., American Studies, 1988)

Personal:

Professional Experience:

• Attorney, Parsons, Behle & Latimer, Salt Lake City, UT, 1990-1994
• Member, Utah State Bar Association
• Member, American Bar Association
• Admitted to Practice before the 9th and 10th Circuit Court of Appeals
• Admitted to Practice before the U.S. Supreme Court

Areas of Expertise:

• Commercial Litigation
• Construction Law and Litigation
• Creditor Rights
• Employment Litigation
• Probate and Trust Litigation
• Real Estate Litigation

Background & Experience:

Mr. Johnson is an attorney in the firm’s litigation department. His practice is focused on commercial litigation, including contract disputes, employment litigation, construction litigation, and trust and estate disputes.

Education:

Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark Law School (J.D., 2019, magna cum laude)

• Order of the Coif
• Associate Editor, BYU Law Review

Brigham Young University (B.A. American Studies, 2016)

Personal:

Mr. Johnson is married and has one son.

He enjoys watching and playing basketball, mountain biking, trail running, and spending time with family.

Professional Experience:

• Judicial Extern, Chief Justice Matthew B. Durrant, Utah Supreme Court, 2018
• Judicial Extern, Judge Jill N. Parrish, U.S. District Court, District of Utah, 2019

Areas of Expertise:

• Appeals
• Commercial Litigation
• Construction Law and Litigation
• Creditor Rights
• Employment Litigation
• Probate and Trust Litigation
• Real Estate Litigation
• Technology and Licensing

Background & Experience:

Mr. Jones is a business litigation attorney and partner with the firm whose practice focuses on intellectual property and competition-related disputes.

Concentrating primarily on the technology industry, Mr. Jones helps individuals and companies fight for and protect what matters most—their business and livelihood. Mr. Jones has obtained results for clients both inside and outside the courtroom. And in working with him through their complex and high stakes disputes, clients have thanked Jarom for his “professionalism,” “responsiveness,” and “attention to detail.” As put by one client, Mr. Jones was a “lifeline in a bad situation.”

In recent years, Mr. Jones has successfully helped clients prosecute and defend claims for trade secret misappropriation, trademark infringement, unfair competition, breach of fiduciary duty, and breach of employee non-competition, non-solicitation, and non-disclosure contracts. He also advises and counsels clients on employment matters and best business practices to prevent litigation in the first place.

Recent Representative Experience

• Achieved a multi-million-dollar settlement on behalf of a client against her former business partner in an action for racketeering, theft, and other claims.
• Obtained an award of attorneys’ fees for a client, as well as an order invalidating the opposing party’s non-competition agreement in a lawsuit filed by a competitor and former employer.
• Won a court order requiring a client’s former business partner to turn over stolen company records and to cease confusing customers and vendors through use of client’s name and trademark.
• Won a court order requiring a client’s former employee to cease illegally soliciting the client’s workforce and using or disclosing the client’s confidential information.
• Defended and obtained the dismissal of multi-million-dollar breach of contract and fraud claims, as well as obtained an award of attorneys’ fees in favor of the client.

Education:

Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark Law School (J.D., 2016, Summa Cum Laude)

• BYU Law Review, Senior Editor
• Federal Bar Association, BYU Chapter, President

Weber State University (B.S., Criminal Justice, 2013, Summa Cum Laude)

• Outstanding Criminal Justice Graduate of 2013

Personal:

Mr. Jones was born and raised in Ogden, Utah.
Outside of the office he enjoys backcountry skiing, traveling the world with his wife and kids, and finding mountain biking trails just wide enough to pull his kids’ trailer up.

Professional Experience:

• Judicial Extern, Justice Thomas R. Lee, Utah Supreme Court, 2014
• Judicial Extern, Judge David Sam, U.S. District Court, District of Utah, 2014
• Member attorney of the Goldwater Institute’s American Freedom Network, a network of pro bono attorneys protecting individual rights and preserving freedom.

Areas of Expertise:

• Commercial Litigation
• Creditor Rights
• Employment Litigation
• HOA Representation
• Landlord and Tenant Representation

Background & Experience:

Mr. Keppner is a partner of the firm and practices in the areas of commercial litigation, including collections, land lord-tenant disputes, and creditor representation. He has experience with qui tam cases, copyright infringement, construction, and employment litigation.

Education:

Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark Law School (J.D., 2001, magna cum laude)

• Lead Articles Editor, BYU Law Review
• Order of the Coif

Brigham Young University (B.A., Political Science, 1997, magna cum laude)

Personal:

Born in Idaho Falls, Idaho 1972
Married, 3 children
Interests include basketball, football, military history.

Areas of Expertise:

• Commercial Litigation
• Creditor Rights
• Employment Litigation
• Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Representation
• Probate and Trust Litigation
• Real Estate Litigation

Background & Experience:

Mr. Kono is a partner in the firm’s litigation department. His primary area of practice includes general civil litigation, with an emphasis on employment law and real estate litigation. Other areas of practice include personal injury, commercial litigation, construction litigation, and commercial collection work. Mr. Kono has repeatedly been voted by the legal community as one of Utah’s “Legal Elite” in the areas of personal injury and/or business litigation, as reported in Utah Business Magazine. He has also been named a “Rising Star” in business litigation by Mountain States Super Lawyers magazine.

Education:

Brigham Young University. J. Reuben Clark Law School (J.D., 2000, magna cum laude)

• Member – BYU Law Review
• Member – Moot Court Team
• Best Brief Winner 1998
• Best Brief Winner 1999
• J. Reuben Clark Award Recipient
• John S. Welch Award for Outstanding Legal Writing

Brigham Young University (B.S. Psychology, magna cum laude)

Personal:

Married, four children
Foreign languages: Spanish

Professional Experience:

• Legal Writing Faculty, Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark Law School, 2001-2006
• Member, Utah State Bar Association
• Member, Oregon State Bar Association

Areas of Expertise:

• Appeals
• Commercial Litigation
• Creditor Rights
• Employment Litigation
• Landlord and Tenant Representation
• Probate and Trust Litigation
• Real Estate Litigation

Background & Experience:

Mr. Lee is a partner in the firm’s litigation department, with an emphasis in commercial litigation and real estate disputes.  Other areas of frequent practice include post-employment restrictive covenant disputes, appeals, collections, and landlord-tenant disputes.

Education:

Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark Law School (J.D., 2007, magna cum laude)

• Order of the Coif
• Articles Editor, Brigham Young University Law Review

University of Utah (B. Mus., jazz guitar performance, 2002, magna cum laude)

Personal:

Married, 3 children.
Interests include running, guitar, mountain biking, snowboarding, reading, and hiking.

Areas of Expertise:

• Commercial Litigation
• Construction Law and Litigation
• Creditor Rights
• Employment Litigation
• Landlord and Tenant Representation
• Real Estate Litigation
• Technology and Licensing

Background & Experience:

Mr. Merriman is an associate in the firm’s litigation department. His practice emphasizes general commercial litigation involving contract disputes, securities, real property, and commercial landlord-tenant disputes. Mr. Merriman also has experience in administrative practice and appeals.

Education:

Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark Law School (J.D., 2013, magna cum laude)

• Order of the Coif
• Lead Articles Editor, BYU Law Review

Brigham Young University (B.S., Economics, B.A., Political Science, 2010)

• 1^st Team All-MW Conference Track, 2011
• 2^nd Team All-MW Conference Cross Country, 2010

Personal:

Mr. Merriman is married and has two children. He enjoys basketball, distance running, and reading about American history and politics.

Professional Experience:

• Law Clerk to Chief Justice Matthew B. Durrant, Utah Supreme Court, 2014‑2015
• Law Clerk to Judge Stephen L. Roth, Utah Court of Appeals, 2013-2014

Areas of Expertise:

• Commercial Litigation
• Administrative Litigation
• Construction Law and Litigation
• Creditor Rights
• Employment Litigation
• Government Affairs: State and Federal
• Landlord and Tenant Representation
• Municipal and Governmental Litigation
• Real Estate Development (Finance and Regulatory)
• Real Estate Litigation
• Securities Litigation

Background & Experience:

Mr. Reutzel is a seasoned and aggressive litigator. He zealously advocates his clients’ positions, takes a comprehensive view of his clients’ legal challenges, and implements legal strategies to achieve his clients’ desired outcomes. He is, first and foremost, a problem solver.

Mr. Reutzel has been successful in courts and tribunals across the country—from California to Utah to New York. He routinely defends clients in complex and high-stakes litigation, represents clients in administrative proceedings, and obtains judgments and settlements for millions of dollars.

In addition to his litigation practice, Mr. Reutzel is heavily involved in alternative dispute resolution. In certain circumstances, a client may be better served by mediation or arbitration. Mr. Reutzel is expert in these processes and employs them, as necessary, to achieve his clients’ goals. He also regularly helps his clients design and implement dispute resolution provisions for use in their written agreements.

Mr. Reutzel is a partner in the firm. As a result of his success, he has been recognized by Super Lawyers Magazine as a “Rising Star” and by Utah Business Magazine as “Legal Elite” in the category of Civil Litigation.

Education:

University of Utah, S.J. Quinney College of Law (J.D., 2005)

• Order of the Coif
• Articles Editor, Utah Law Review
• University of Utah, S.J. Quinney College of Law Moot Court Team
• William H. Leary Scholar

University of Utah (B.S., Economics, 2002)

Personal:

Mr. Reutzel enjoys anything that involves his family or the outdoors, including whitewater rafting, mountain biking, climbing, canyoneering, skiing, hiking, and backpacking. In recent years, Mr. Reutzel has coached a local junior high school mountain bike team. He takes great satisfaction in coaching and watching his team members improve and compete.

Professional Experience:

• Member, Pleasant Grove, Utah, Board of Adjustments
• Law Clerk, United States Senate Judiciary Committee, 2004
• Member, Utah State Bar Association
• Member, Executive Committee, Young Lawyers Division, Utah State Bar Association
• Member, American Bar Association
• Member, Association of Trial Lawyers of America

Areas of Expertise:

• Commercial Litigation
• Construction Law and Litigation
• Creditor Rights
• Employment Litigation
• Municipal and Governmental Litigation
• Probate and Trust Litigation
• Real Estate Litigation
• Trust and Estate Mediation

Background & Experience:

Mr. Tracy has extensive experience representing clients in federal and state courts.  His civil litigation practice includes a heavy emphasis in trust and estate litigation, complex commercial litigation, banking litigation and construction litigation.  He works closely with Robert S. Tippett, the author of the The Utah Law of Trusts & Estates and one of the foremost trust and estate planning attorneys in Utah, on trust and estate matters. Mr. Tracy has represented several major financial institutions in banking litigation matters. Mr. Tracy has been awarded the Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent® Rating, the highest rating awarded by Martindale-Hubbell to attorneys for professional competence and ethics.  He has also been named to Utah Legal Elite.  Prior to joining Bennett Tueller Johnson & Deere, Mr. Tracy worked with the international law firm of LeBouef, Lamb, Greene & MacRae (headquartered in New York City) and the national law firm of Chapman and Cutler (headquartered in Chicago). Mr. Tracy is a member of the Utah, Colorado and Idaho State Bars.

Education:

Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark School of Law (J.D., 1993,magna cum laude)

• Senior Editor, BYU Law Review 1991-1993
• Order of the Coif

Brigham Young University (B.S. Accounting, 1990, summa cum laude)

• Named the outstanding accounting graduate Class of 1990

Personal:

Mr. Tracy was born and raised in Southeastern Idaho where he worked on local dairy and potato farms as a youth, and  graduated from Ririe High School.  He served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to Haiti Port-au-Prince and speaks French and Haitian Creole.  He is married and the father of six children.  He has been active as a  leader in his local church congregation and the Boy Scouts of America for over 25 years.  His hobbies include spending time with his family, cheering for the Utah Jazz, attending college athletic events, coaching youth sports, camping, and gardening.

Professional Experience:

• Partner – Chapman and Cutler LLP, Salt Lake City, UT, 2006 – 2011
• Partner – Mabey Murray LC, Salt Lake City, UT, 2005- 2006
• Attorney – LeBoeuf, Lamb, Greene & MacRae, LLP, 1999 – 2005
• Partner – Parry Anderson & Gardiner, Salt Lake City, UT, 1998 -1999 (Associate 1993 – 1999)
• Member – Utah State Bar Association, Colorado State Bar Association, Idaho State Bar Association, American Bar Association

Areas of Expertise:

• Commercial Litigation
• Construction Law and Litigation
• Creditor Rights
• Employment Litigation
• Municipal and Governmental Litigation
• Real Estate Litigation

Background & Experience:

Mr. Weaver is an associate in the firm’s litigation department. His practice is focused on general civil and commercial litigation, including contract and real property disputes. Mr. Weaver also has experience in creditor rights work, municipal and government litigation, and construction disputes.

Education:

University of Utah, S.J. Quinney College of Law (J.D., 2022)

University of Utah (BMus., Piano Performance, 2017, cum laude)

Personal:

Outside of work, Mr. Weaver enjoys canyoneering, hiking, running, and cooking homemade meals and desserts with his wife.

Professional Experience:

Attorney, Plant Christensen & Kanell, 2022-2023

Judicial Extern, Judge Jill M. Pohlman, Utah Court of Appeals, 2020

Research Assistant, Jorge L. Contreras, Utah Real Property Treatise, 2020

Areas of Expertise:

• Commercial Litigation
• Construction Law and Litigation
• Creditor Rights
• Family Law
• Guardianship/Conservatorship and Elder Law
• Probate and Trust Litigation
• Real Estate Litigation

Background & Experience:

Ms. Montoya has been with the firm for 13 years. She has worked primarily with the firm’s litigation section on a variety of case types.  She has also attended and assisted our attorneys during multi-day bench and jury trials, and hearings.

Education:

Snow College (A.S., Psychology, 2002)

Weber State University (Paralegal Certificate, 2004)

Personal:

Married, 2 children.
Ms. Montoya enjoys spending time outdoors with her family, reading, crafting and decorating.

Professional Experience:

• Legal Assistant, Douglas L. Neeley, Attorney At Law, 2005-2006;
• Bar Admissions – Utah State Bar – Paralegal Division

Areas of Expertise:

• Commercial Litigation
• Construction Law and Litigation
• Employment Litigation
• Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Representation
• Probate and Trust Litigation
• Real Estate Litigation

Background & Experience:

Mr. Gorringe is a partner in the firm’s litigation department.  His practice is focused on general civil and commercial litigation, including contract disputes, business torts, construction defect, insurance coverage, partnership disputes, and probate and trust litigation.

Education:

Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Law Clark Law School (J.D., 2011, magna cum laude)

• Senior Editor, BYU Law Review

Westminster College (B.A. Economics, 2007, summa cum laude)

Personal:

Foreign Languages:  Mandarin Chinese
Interests include football, basketball, coaching lacrosse, and spending time with his two children.

Professional Experience:

• Law Clerk, Honorable Gregory K. Orme, Utah Court of Appeals
• Law Clerk, Honorable Samuel D. McVey, Utah Fourth District Court

Areas of Expertise:

• Commercial Litigation
• Creditor Rights
• Employment Litigation
• Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Representation
• Probate and Trust Litigation
• Real Estate Litigation

Background & Experience:

Mr. Kono is a partner in the firm’s litigation department. His primary area of practice includes general civil litigation, with an emphasis on employment law and real estate litigation. Other areas of practice include personal injury, commercial litigation, construction litigation, and commercial collection work. Mr. Kono has repeatedly been voted by the legal community as one of Utah’s “Legal Elite” in the areas of personal injury and/or business litigation, as reported in Utah Business Magazine. He has also been named a “Rising Star” in business litigation by Mountain States Super Lawyers magazine.

Education:

Brigham Young University. J. Reuben Clark Law School (J.D., 2000, magna cum laude)

• Member – BYU Law Review
• Member – Moot Court Team
• Best Brief Winner 1998
• Best Brief Winner 1999
• J. Reuben Clark Award Recipient
• John S. Welch Award for Outstanding Legal Writing

Brigham Young University (B.S. Psychology, magna cum laude)

Personal:

Married, four children
Foreign languages: Spanish

Professional Experience:

• Legal Writing Faculty, Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark Law School, 2001-2006
• Member, Utah State Bar Association
• Member, Oregon State Bar Association

Areas of Expertise:

• Commercial Litigation
• Family Law
• Guardianship/Conservatorship and Elder Law
• Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Representation
• Probate and Trust Litigation
• Real Estate Litigation
• Trust and Estate Mediation

Background & Experience:

Ms. McNeill’s practice focuses on complex commercial litigation and appeals.  Her commercial cases include shareholder litigation, breach of contract, fraud, trade secrets, dissolution, etc.  Ms. McNeill’s tort practice has included matters involving automobiles, automobile liability, premises liability, heavy duty tractors, and construction. Ms. McNeill’s family law practice includes divorce, custody disputes, modifications, orders to show cause, and protective orders. Ms. McNeill also appears regularly in matters relating to probate litigation, including the appointment of guardians and conservators.

Education:

University of Utah, S.J. Quinney College of Law (J.D., 2002)

• William H. Leary Scholar
• Note and Comment Editor, Utah Law Review

Utah State University (B.S., Sociology, 1998)

Professional Experience:

• Larsen Christensen & Rico, PLLC, 2002-2011.
• Member of the Board of Trustees for Legal Aid Society of Salt Lake since 2024.
• Named by Utah Business Magazine among the “Utah Legal Elite” from 2007 through 2023.  Also selected as a Super Lawyer in the Mountain States Super Lawyers publication in 2024, and a Rising Star in 2009 through 2012.
• Judicial Clerk for the Honorable Pamela T. Greenwood on the Utah Court of Appeals, 2002-2003.
• Pro-bono experience with the Street Law Clinic, Wills for Heroes, and the Third District Court’s Pro Se Calendar.
• Licensed in Utah and Idaho.

Areas of Expertise:

• Commercial Litigation
• Construction Law and Litigation
• Family Law
• Guardianship/Conservatorship and Elder Law
• Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Representation
• Probate and Trust Litigation
• Real Estate Litigation

Background & Experience:

Ms. Morgan has been a paralegal for over 21 years in Dallas, Nashville, and now Salt Lake City. She has attended numerous seminars and continuing education courses, and was asked to speak at a national paralegal conference regarding airbag safety and the importance of efficient discovery collection.

Personal:

Ms. Morgan enjoys spending time with her husband, her extended family and her two children, three step-children, and grandchild. She loves to cook, travel, and spending time outdoors.

Areas of Expertise:

• Estate Planning
• Family Law
• Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Representation
• Probate and Trust Litigation
• Real Estate Litigation

Background & Experience:

Ms. Smith has been working as a paralegal for over 14 years, after receiving her Paralegal Certificate in 2009. She joined BTJD in 2023.

Education:

Salt Lake Community College (A.S. Paralegal Studies, 2009)

University of Utah (B.S. Anthropology, 2013)

Personal:

Interests include cooking for friends and family, traveling, and graphic design.

Areas of Expertise:

• Commercial Litigation
• Construction Law and Litigation
• Employment Litigation
• Family Law
• Municipal and Governmental Litigation
• Probate and Trust Litigation
• Real Estate Development (Finance and Regulatory)
• Real Estate Litigation
• State and Local Government

Background & Experience:

Mr. Bosserman is an associate in the firm’s litigation department. His practice is focused on general civil and commercial litigation, including contract, real property, and construction disputes. Mr. Bosserman also has experience in municipal law, administrative practice, and appellate work.

Education:

Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark Law School (J.D., 2017, magna cum laude)

• Order of the Coif
• BYU Law Review, Senior Editor
• Steve G. & Marylnn F. Forseyth Fellow

Utah Valley University (B.A., Political Science, 2014, summa cum laude)

Personal:

Foreign Language: Tagalog
Mr. Bosserman is married and has three children. He enjoys basketball, indoor soccer, sports radio, and classic cars.

Professional Experience:

• Law Clerk, Honorable Chief Justice Matthew B. Durrant, Utah Supreme Court,  2017-2018
• Judicial Extern, Honorable Chief Justice Matthew B. Durrant, Utah Supreme Court, 2015
• Judicial Extern, Honorable Judge Ted Stewart, U.S. District Court, District of Utah, 2015

Areas of Expertise:

• Appeals
• Commercial Litigation
• Construction Law and Litigation
• Creditor Rights
• Employment Litigation
• HOA Representation
• Landlord and Tenant Representation
• Probate and Trust Litigation
• Real Estate Litigation

Background & Experience:

Mr. Brough is a partner in the firm’s litigation department.  He maintains a general civil litigation practice with substantial experience in both federal and state courts.  His practice emphasizes general commercial litigation, corporate and business litigation, employment litigation (including enforcement of restrictive employment covenants), and construction litigation.  He has successfully litigated requests for expedited remedies, including requests for prejudgment writs, temporary restraining orders, and preliminary injunctions. He also maintains an appellate practice and has briefed and argued appeals before the Utah Supreme Court, the Utah Court of Appeals, the Idaho Supreme Court, and the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Mr. Brough has been named a Mountain States Super Lawyer from 2011-2017.

Mr. Brough previously served as a member of the Supreme Court Advisory Committee on the Rules of Professional Conduct and on the Utah Appellate Roster. He is a Barrister with the A. Sherman Christensen Inns of Court- I.

Education:

Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark Law School (J.D., 2004, magna cum laude)

• Order of the Coif
• Lead Note and Comment Editor, BYU Law Review

Brigham Young University (B.A., English, 2001)

Professional Experience:

• Law Clerk, Honorable Ferdinand F. Fernandez, United States
• Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, 2005–2006
• Law Clerk, Honorable Jill N. Parrish, Utah Supreme Court, 2004–2005

Areas of Expertise:

• Guardianship/Conservatorship and Elder Law
• Probate, Estate, and Trust Administration
• Probate and Trust Litigation
• Municipal and Governmental Litigation
• State and Local Government
• Trust and Estate Mediation

Background & Experience:

David Connors was appointed as a Utah District Court Judge by Governor Jon M. Huntsman, Jr.  and began his service in January 2008, after over 25 years of nationwide private practice experience as a commercial litigator handling complex civil litigation. He retired as a judge in March 2023. While a judge, he handled hundreds of mediations, arbitrations and trials, including Judicial Settlement Conferences (mediations conducted by a judge who is not the assigned judge on a case). In private practice, he was an early advocate of mediation and arbitration as efficient methods for settling high conflict disputes. Prior to his time on the bench, Judge Connors focused his practice as a business lawyer and commercial litigator for large national and international law firms.

In addition to his judgeship and private law practice, Judge Connors has a long history of public involvement, including service as a city council member and Mayor of Farmington, Utah, and service on various public committees, commissions and boards, such as the Davis County Council of Governments, Wasatch Front Regional Council, Davis Education Foundation, and Economic Development Corporation of Utah.

Education:

Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark Law School (J.D. degree, magna cum laude)

• Law Review; J. Reuben Clark Scholar

Yale University (B.A., Political Science)

• Kennedy T. Friend Scholar

Personal:

Interests include fly fishing, golf, spending time with four children and eleven grandchildren, and acting as roadie and amateur sound engineer for his wife, Cori Connors, who is a nationally and internationally recognized singer-songwriter.

Professional Experience:

• Law Clerk to the Honorable Ellsworth A. VanGraafeiland, U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit, headquartered in New York City.
• Private practice with LeBoeuf, Lamb, Greene & MacRae (Partner and Utah Litigation Department head); Chapman & Cutler (Partner and Utah Litigation Department Head); Mabey Murray (Partner and Litigation Department Head); and K&L Gates (formerly Kirkpatrick, Lockhart, Johnson & Hutchison).
• American Bar Association, Judicial Division, National Conference of State Trial Judges, (past Chair and current Executive Committee member)
• American Inns of Court, Rex E. Lee Chapter, President 2013-2015
• Utah Working Interdisciplinary Network of Guardianship Stakeholders (Utah WINGS), Chair, 2015-2018
• Utah State Bar (CLE Oversight Committee, CLE presenter)
• Fee Arbitration Committee, Utah State Bar (arbitrator, 1993-present)
• Litigation Section, Utah State Bar
• Business Law Section, Utah State Bar (former Chair)

Areas of Expertise:

• Commercial Litigation
• Construction Law and Litigation
• Employment Litigation
• Landlord and Tenant Representation
• Municipal and Governmental Litigation
• Probate and Trust Litigation
• Real Estate Litigation
• Trust and Estate Mediation

Background & Experience:

Mr. Dunkelberger is a partner in the firm’s litigation section.  James has many years of experience advising and advocating for businesses ranging from single-member entities and sole-proprietorships to national and multi-national companies with hundreds or thousands of employees.  James’s practice also includes individuals in disputes regarding trusts and estates, real estate, government regulation, and torts, among other things.  James also has significant experience in municipal law both in representing cities and towns and representing companies and individuals in matters involving permits, variances, and related matters.

Education:

Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark Law School (J.D., 2011, summa cum laude)

• Order of the Coif
• Lead Articles Editor, Brigham Young University Law Review

Idaho State University (B.S. Political Science, 2008)

Personal:

Married, 5 children

Areas of Expertise:

• Corporate Law and Governance
• Estate Planning
• Exempt Organizations
• Guardianship/Conservatorship and Elder Law
• Probate and Trust Litigation
• Probate, Estate, and Trust Administration
• Tax
• Taxes: Federal and State
• Trust and Estate Mediation

Background & Experience:

Mr. Giles works with the estate planning and taxation groups with a focus in the areas of federal and state taxation, estate and gift tax planning, probate and trust administration and guardianship and conservatorship law. He develops complex estate planning strategies and assists clients in implementing and administering their customized estate plans. He represents individual and entity taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service and Utah State Tax Commission regarding income, estate and employment tax issues. Mr. Giles also advises businesses and their owners regarding the tax implications of entity choice, operations, and acquisition transactions of all sizes.

Education:

Boston University School of Law (LL.M. Taxation, 2009)

• LL.M. Scholar

Boston University School of Law (J.D., cum laude, 2006)

• Dean’s Scholar
• Director, Edward C. Stone Appellate Moot Court Competition

Weber State University (B.S. Criminal Justice, magna cum laude 2003)

• Elected “Top Graduate for C.J. Program” by department faculty

Personal:

Born in Taylorsville, Utah
Married, 5 children

Professional Experience:

• Admitted to Massachusetts Bar, 2006
• Admitted to Utah Bar, 2009
• Associate Attorney, The Law Offices of Susan M. Mooney, P.C. Stoneham, Massachusetts, 2007-2008
• Member, Estate Planning Section of the Utah State Bar
• Member, Tax Law Section of the Utah State Bar

Areas of Expertise:

• Commercial Litigation
• Construction Law and Litigation
• Employment Litigation
• Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Representation
• Probate and Trust Litigation
• Real Estate Litigation

Background & Experience:

Mr. Gorringe is a partner in the firm’s litigation department.  His practice is focused on general civil and commercial litigation, including contract disputes, business torts, construction defect, insurance coverage, partnership disputes, and probate and trust litigation.

Education:

Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Law Clark Law School (J.D., 2011, magna cum laude)

• Senior Editor, BYU Law Review

Westminster College (B.A. Economics, 2007, summa cum laude)

Personal:

Foreign Languages:  Mandarin Chinese
Interests include football, basketball, coaching lacrosse, and spending time with his two children.

Professional Experience:

• Law Clerk, Honorable Gregory K. Orme, Utah Court of Appeals
• Law Clerk, Honorable Samuel D. McVey, Utah Fourth District Court

Areas of Expertise:

• Probate and Trust Litigation
• Appeals
• Creditor Rights
• Employment Litigation
• Commercial Litigation
• Construction Law and Litigation
• Real Estate Litigation

Background & Experience:

Mr. Hooker is an associate in the firm’s litigation department. His practice is focused on commercial litigation, including contract disputes, construction litigation, trust and estate matters, and appeals.

Education:

Arizona State University, Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law (J.D. 2021, Magna Cum Laude)

• Order of the Coif
• Research Editor, Arizona State Law Journal

Utah Valley University (B.S. Philosophy, Magna Cum Laude)

Personal:

Mr. Hooker is married and has two children. Outside the office, he enjoys meditating, playing music, swimming, reading, and spending time with his family.

Professional Experience:

• Law Clerk, Chief Justice Matthew B. Durrant, Utah Supreme Court, 2021-2022.
• Extern, Judge Jennifer M. Perkins, Arizona Court of Appeals, 2020.

Areas of Expertise:

• Appeals
• Commercial Litigation
• Construction Law and Litigation
• Creditor Rights
• Employment Litigation
• Probate and Trust Litigation
• Real Estate Litigation

Background & Experience:

Mr. Johnson is one of BTJD’s founding partners. He started BTJD with a couple of college buddies after each of them had commenced their careers with large, elite law firms. They have grown BTJD to over 35 lawyers. It is a full service commercial firm. BTJD is highly regarded for its stable of top-notch lawyers—lawyers who know how to achieve the best possible results for their clients.

At BTJD, Mr. Johnson serves on the firm’s management committee. He routinely advises the firm and other firms on law firm management, conflicts of interest, and ethics issues. He also leads BTJD’s commercial litigation section. Managing and trying cases—particularly jury trials—is what he enjoys most about his job. For nearly thirty years, he has successfully managed complex, high-stakes disputes involving a wide array of subject matters: partnership disputes, creditor/debtor disputes, class actions, securities fraud cases, employment disputes (including disputes relating to the enforceability of restrictive covenants), trade secret litigation, real estate development disputes, construction defect litigation, and adversary proceedings in bankruptcy cases.

In the course of his practice, Mr. Johnson has tried, arbitrated, mediated, and successfully settled hundreds of cases. His forte is trial advocacy and oral argument. Clients, judges, jurors, and colleagues routinely note Mr. Johnson’s courtroom prowess and efficacy. He is known to strike the perfect balance of passion and reason, while making complex issues simple and easy to understand. One Utah trial judge noted Mr. Johnson’s expert advocacy by stating in a written ruling that “counsel in the case [were] some of the best and most proficient litigators this court has had the pleasure of watching work.”

Mr. Johnson has been a member of the Utah State Bar since 1992. He is admitted to practice law in Utah state and federal courts, the Ninth and Tenth Circuit Courts of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court. He has repeatedly been selected by his peers as one of Utah’s “Legal Elite.”

Publications:

• “Another Attempt to Eliminate Political Patronage: Rutan v. Republican Party of Illinois,” 27 Willamette L. Rev. 1529 (1991).

Education:

Willamette University College of Law (J.D., 1992, cum laude)

• Articles Editor, Willamette Law Review, 1991-1992

Brigham Young University (B.A., American Studies, 1988)

Personal:

Professional Experience:

• Attorney, Parsons, Behle & Latimer, Salt Lake City, UT, 1990-1994
• Member, Utah State Bar Association
• Member, American Bar Association
• Admitted to Practice before the 9th and 10th Circuit Court of Appeals
• Admitted to Practice before the U.S. Supreme Court

Areas of Expertise:

• Commercial Litigation
• Construction Law and Litigation
• Creditor Rights
• Employment Litigation
• Probate and Trust Litigation
• Real Estate Litigation

Background & Experience:

Mr. Johnson is an attorney in the firm’s litigation department. His practice is focused on commercial litigation, including contract disputes, employment litigation, construction litigation, and trust and estate disputes.

Education:

Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark Law School (J.D., 2019, magna cum laude)

• Order of the Coif
• Associate Editor, BYU Law Review

Brigham Young University (B.A. American Studies, 2016)

Personal:

Mr. Johnson is married and has one son.

He enjoys watching and playing basketball, mountain biking, trail running, and spending time with family.

Professional Experience:

• Judicial Extern, Chief Justice Matthew B. Durrant, Utah Supreme Court, 2018
• Judicial Extern, Judge Jill N. Parrish, U.S. District Court, District of Utah, 2019

Areas of Expertise:

• Appeals
• Commercial Litigation
• Construction Law and Litigation
• Creditor Rights
• Employment Litigation
• Probate and Trust Litigation
• Real Estate Litigation
• Technology and Licensing

Background & Experience:

Mr. Jones is a business litigation attorney and partner with the firm whose practice focuses on intellectual property and competition-related disputes.

Concentrating primarily on the technology industry, Mr. Jones helps individuals and companies fight for and protect what matters most—their business and livelihood. Mr. Jones has obtained results for clients both inside and outside the courtroom. And in working with him through their complex and high stakes disputes, clients have thanked Jarom for his “professionalism,” “responsiveness,” and “attention to detail.” As put by one client, Mr. Jones was a “lifeline in a bad situation.”

In recent years, Mr. Jones has successfully helped clients prosecute and defend claims for trade secret misappropriation, trademark infringement, unfair competition, breach of fiduciary duty, and breach of employee non-competition, non-solicitation, and non-disclosure contracts. He also advises and counsels clients on employment matters and best business practices to prevent litigation in the first place.

Recent Representative Experience

• Achieved a multi-million-dollar settlement on behalf of a client against her former business partner in an action for racketeering, theft, and other claims.
• Obtained an award of attorneys’ fees for a client, as well as an order invalidating the opposing party’s non-competition agreement in a lawsuit filed by a competitor and former employer.
• Won a court order requiring a client’s former business partner to turn over stolen company records and to cease confusing customers and vendors through use of client’s name and trademark.
• Won a court order requiring a client’s former employee to cease illegally soliciting the client’s workforce and using or disclosing the client’s confidential information.
• Defended and obtained the dismissal of multi-million-dollar breach of contract and fraud claims, as well as obtained an award of attorneys’ fees in favor of the client.

Education:

Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark Law School (J.D., 2016, Summa Cum Laude)

• BYU Law Review, Senior Editor
• Federal Bar Association, BYU Chapter, President

Weber State University (B.S., Criminal Justice, 2013, Summa Cum Laude)

• Outstanding Criminal Justice Graduate of 2013

Personal:

Mr. Jones was born and raised in Ogden, Utah.
Outside of the office he enjoys backcountry skiing, traveling the world with his wife and kids, and finding mountain biking trails just wide enough to pull his kids’ trailer up.

Professional Experience:

• Judicial Extern, Justice Thomas R. Lee, Utah Supreme Court, 2014
• Judicial Extern, Judge David Sam, U.S. District Court, District of Utah, 2014
• Member attorney of the Goldwater Institute’s American Freedom Network, a network of pro bono attorneys protecting individual rights and preserving freedom.

Areas of Expertise:

• Commercial Litigation
• Creditor Rights
• Employment Litigation
• Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Representation
• Probate and Trust Litigation
• Real Estate Litigation

Background & Experience:

Mr. Kono is a partner in the firm’s litigation department. His primary area of practice includes general civil litigation, with an emphasis on employment law and real estate litigation. Other areas of practice include personal injury, commercial litigation, construction litigation, and commercial collection work. Mr. Kono has repeatedly been voted by the legal community as one of Utah’s “Legal Elite” in the areas of personal injury and/or business litigation, as reported in Utah Business Magazine. He has also been named a “Rising Star” in business litigation by Mountain States Super Lawyers magazine.

Education:

Brigham Young University. J. Reuben Clark Law School (J.D., 2000, magna cum laude)

• Member – BYU Law Review
• Member – Moot Court Team
• Best Brief Winner 1998
• Best Brief Winner 1999
• J. Reuben Clark Award Recipient
• John S. Welch Award for Outstanding Legal Writing

Brigham Young University (B.S. Psychology, magna cum laude)

Personal:

Married, four children
Foreign languages: Spanish

Professional Experience:

• Legal Writing Faculty, Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark Law School, 2001-2006
• Member, Utah State Bar Association
• Member, Oregon State Bar Association

Areas of Expertise:

• Appeals
• Commercial Litigation
• Creditor Rights
• Employment Litigation
• Landlord and Tenant Representation
• Probate and Trust Litigation
• Real Estate Litigation

Background & Experience:

Mr. Lee is a partner in the firm’s litigation department, with an emphasis in commercial litigation and real estate disputes.  Other areas of frequent practice include post-employment restrictive covenant disputes, appeals, collections, and landlord-tenant disputes.

Education:

Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark Law School (J.D., 2007, magna cum laude)

• Order of the Coif
• Articles Editor, Brigham Young University Law Review

University of Utah (B. Mus., jazz guitar performance, 2002, magna cum laude)

Personal:

Married, 3 children.
Interests include running, guitar, mountain biking, snowboarding, reading, and hiking.

Areas of Expertise:

• Commercial Litigation
• Family Law
• Guardianship/Conservatorship and Elder Law
• Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Representation
• Probate and Trust Litigation
• Real Estate Litigation
• Trust and Estate Mediation

Background & Experience:

Ms. McNeill’s practice focuses on complex commercial litigation and appeals.  Her commercial cases include shareholder litigation, breach of contract, fraud, trade secrets, dissolution, etc.  Ms. McNeill’s tort practice has included matters involving automobiles, automobile liability, premises liability, heavy duty tractors, and construction. Ms. McNeill’s family law practice includes divorce, custody disputes, modifications, orders to show cause, and protective orders. Ms. McNeill also appears regularly in matters relating to probate litigation, including the appointment of guardians and conservators.

Education:

University of Utah, S.J. Quinney College of Law (J.D., 2002)

• William H. Leary Scholar
• Note and Comment Editor, Utah Law Review

Utah State University (B.S., Sociology, 1998)

Professional Experience:

• Larsen Christensen & Rico, PLLC, 2002-2011.
• Member of the Board of Trustees for Legal Aid Society of Salt Lake since 2024.
• Named by Utah Business Magazine among the “Utah Legal Elite” from 2007 through 2023.  Also selected as a Super Lawyer in the Mountain States Super Lawyers publication in 2024, and a Rising Star in 2009 through 2012.
• Judicial Clerk for the Honorable Pamela T. Greenwood on the Utah Court of Appeals, 2002-2003.
• Pro-bono experience with the Street Law Clinic, Wills for Heroes, and the Third District Court’s Pro Se Calendar.
• Licensed in Utah and Idaho.

Areas of Expertise:

• Appeals
• Commercial Litigation
• Family Law
• Guardianship/Conservatorship and Elder Law
• Probate and Trust Litigation

Background & Experience:

Ms. Morris is an associate in the firm’s litigation department. Her practice focuses on domestic and civil litigation. Ms. Morris’ family law practice includes divorce, custody disputes, modifications, enforcement issues, and protective orders. Ms. Morris also has experience in appeals, trusts and estates, probate, and guardianships.

Education:

University of Utah, S.J. Quinney College of Law (J.D., 2022, magna cum laude)

• Graduate Certificate in Criminal Law
• CALI Award, Evidence, 2020
• Outstanding Achievement Award, Property, 2020

Oregon State University (B.S., Sociology, 2019)

• Minor in Communications

Personal:

Outside of work, Ms. Morris enjoys spending time with her husband, family, and friends, watching and playing sports (particularly gymnastics and football), and traveling.

Professional Experience:

• Hanks & Peterson PC (2022-2023)
• Rocky Mountain Innocence Center (2020-2021)

Areas of Expertise:

• Appeals
• Commercial Litigation
• Construction Law and Litigation
• Family Law
• Municipal and Governmental Litigation
• Probate and Trust Litigation
• Real Estate Litigation

Background & Experience:

Mr. Morris is an associate in the firm’s litigation department. His practice focuses on general civil and commercial litigation, including contract disputes, business torts, and trust and estate litigation. Mr. Morris also has experience in family law and appellate work.

Education:

University of Utah, S.J. Quinney College of Law (J.D., 2022, magna cum laude)

• Utah Law Review, Executive Articles Editor
• S.J. Quinney Fellow
• CALI Award: Religion and the 1st Amendment

Brigham Young University (B.A. Journalism, B.A. Portuguese, 2018, summa cum laude)

• Minor in Editing

Personal:

Foreign language: Portuguese

Outside the office, Mr. Morris enjoys spending time with his wife, playing basketball, going to classic rock and roll concerts, practicing guitar, and reading.

Professional Experience:

• Law Clerk, Honorable Chief Justice Matthew B. Durrant, Utah Supreme Court (2022-2023)
• Judicial Extern, Judge David Nuffer, United States District Court for the District of Utah (2021)
• Judicial Extern, Honorable Justice Thomas R. Lee, Utah Supreme Court (2020)
• Law Clerk, Attorney General’s Office, Litigation Division (2020)

Areas of Expertise:

• Estate Planning
• Guardianship/Conservatorship and Elder Law
• Probate and Trust Litigation
• Probate, Estate, and Trust Administration
• Tax
• Trust and Estate Mediation

Background & Experience:

Mr. Parkinson focuses on Estate Planning, Probate, Elder Law, Guardianships, Contested Estates, and Tax and Business Planning.

Mr. Parkinson served as President of the Mountain States Pension Conference (1985-1987), Chairman of the Tax Section (1985-1986), as Chairman of the Elder Law Section of the Utah State Bar (2019-2020), and as a member of the Board of Directors of the Outdoor Resources Foundation of Utah (1988-2007). He is currently serving as a Board member of the Elder Law Section of the Utah State Bar and as a member of the Board of Directors of the Holladay Community Messiah Foundation. He also serves as a member of the Probate Subcommittee of the Advisory Committee to the Utah Supreme Court on the Rules of Civil Procedure.

Education:

University of Denver (LL.M. in Taxation, 1977)

Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark Law School (J.D., 1976)

Brigham Young University (BS, Accounting, 1973, cum laude)

Personal:

Married, 5 children
Interests: Backpacking, fishing, running, pioneer history.

Areas of Expertise:

• Commercial Litigation
• Real Estate Litigation
• Employment Litigation
• Probate and Trust Litigation

Background & Experience:

Ms. Smith is an associate in the firm’s litigation department. Her practice is focused on commercial litigation and appeals. She also does trust and estate litigation.

Education:

University of Utah, S.J. Quinney College of Law (J.D. 2020, Summa Cum Laude)

• Order of the Coif
• Articles Editor for the Utah Law Review

Utah State University (B.A. English, Magna Cum Laude)

Personal:

Outside of work, Ms. Smith is an avid reader of all genres, and she especially likes to read classics and literary fiction. Ms. Smith also likes to do various DIY projects, keep a garden, and spend time with her family.

Professional Experience:

• Law Clerk, Judge Carolyn McHugh, United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, 2021-2022
• Law Clerk, Judge Ted Stewart, United States District Court for the District of Utah, 2020-2021

Areas of Expertise:

• Estate Planning
• Exempt Organizations
• Guardianship/Conservatorship and Elder Law
• Probate and Trust Litigation
• Probate, Estate, and Trust Administration
• Tax
• Trust and Estate Mediation

Background & Experience:

Robert S. (Rust) Tippett is a partner at Bennett Tueller Johnson & Deere in Salt Lake City.  His practice focuses on all aspects of estate planning, including trusts, probate, estate and gift taxation and conservatorships.  He is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC), and is a member of ACTEC’s Asset Protection and Legal Education Committees.

Mr. Tippett holds a B.A. from Yale University and a J.D. from the University of Michigan.  From 2003 to 2008 he served as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Southern California (USC) Gould School of Law.  He is currently an Adjunct Professor at the Brigham Young University (BYU) J. Reuben Clark School of Law.

Mr. Tippett was the principal author of Utah’s asset protection trust statute, which was signed into law by the Governor on March 28, 2013.

Mr. Tippett has appeared on the Court Roster of Approved Mediators for the State of Utah, and is a member of the Utah Council on Conflict Resolution. He is available to mediate probate and trust disputes.

Mr. Tippett was selected as one of Utah’s “Legal Elite” by Utah Business Magazine in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020.

In addition to authoring The Utah Law of Trusts & Estates (a comprehensive 700-page legal reference treatise) and other materials available at www.utahestateplanning.org, Mr. Tippett has published and presented many articles and papers in the trust and estate field.

Education:

Yale University (B.A., 1984, cum laude)

University of Michigan (J.D., 1987)

Professional Experience:

• Adjunct Professor of Law, J. Reuben Clark Law School, Brigham Young University (Wills & Estates; Trusts; Advanced Estate Planning) Fall 2009 to the Present
• Recipient: 2011 BYU Law School Adjunct Professor of the Year Award.
• Recipient: 2017 BYU Student Bar Association Adjunct Professor of the Year Award.
• Recipient: 2018 BYU Student Bar Association Adjunct Professor of the Year Award.
• Recipient: 2020 BYU Student Bar Association Adjunct Professor of the Year Award.
• Adjunct Professor of Law, Gould School of Law, University of Southern California (Gifts, Wills & Trusts) Spring 2003 through Spring 2008
• Recipient: 2005 USC Student Bar Association Outstanding Adjunct Professor Award
• Chair, Utah State Bar Estate Planning Section 2019-2020 (Vice Chair, 2018-2019; Secretary/Treasurer, 2017-2018; Program Chair, 2016-2017)
• Member, Committee on Legislation, Utah State bar Estate Planning Section, 2011 to Present
• Chair, Estate Tax Committee, Taxation Section Los Angeles County Bar Association 1999-2000 (Vice Chair, 1998-1999; Secretary, 1997-1998)
• Clerk to The Honorable Aldon J. Anderson, U.S. District Court for the District of Utah, 1987-1988
• Member-at-Large, Executive Committee, Taxation Section Los Angeles County Bar Association 2000-2002
• Member of the Utah and California Bars
• Member, Salt Lake Estate Planning Council

Areas of Expertise:

• Commercial Litigation
• Construction Law and Litigation
• Creditor Rights
• Employment Litigation
• Municipal and Governmental Litigation
• Probate and Trust Litigation
• Real Estate Litigation
• Trust and Estate Mediation

Background & Experience:

Mr. Tracy has extensive experience representing clients in federal and state courts.  His civil litigation practice includes a heavy emphasis in trust and estate litigation, complex commercial litigation, banking litigation and construction litigation.  He works closely with Robert S. Tippett, the author of the The Utah Law of Trusts & Estates and one of the foremost trust and estate planning attorneys in Utah, on trust and estate matters. Mr. Tracy has represented several major financial institutions in banking litigation matters. Mr. Tracy has been awarded the Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent® Rating, the highest rating awarded by Martindale-Hubbell to attorneys for professional competence and ethics.  He has also been named to Utah Legal Elite.  Prior to joining Bennett Tueller Johnson & Deere, Mr. Tracy worked with the international law firm of LeBouef, Lamb, Greene & MacRae (headquartered in New York City) and the national law firm of Chapman and Cutler (headquartered in Chicago). Mr. Tracy is a member of the Utah, Colorado and Idaho State Bars.

Education:

Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark School of Law (J.D., 1993,magna cum laude)

• Senior Editor, BYU Law Review 1991-1993
• Order of the Coif

Brigham Young University (B.S. Accounting, 1990, summa cum laude)

• Named the outstanding accounting graduate Class of 1990

Personal:

Mr. Tracy was born and raised in Southeastern Idaho where he worked on local dairy and potato farms as a youth, and  graduated from Ririe High School.  He served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to Haiti Port-au-Prince and speaks French and Haitian Creole.  He is married and the father of six children.  He has been active as a  leader in his local church congregation and the Boy Scouts of America for over 25 years.  His hobbies include spending time with his family, cheering for the Utah Jazz, attending college athletic events, coaching youth sports, camping, and gardening.

Professional Experience: