College of Law

Class Notes: Fall 2024


Jane MarquardtJane Marquardt ('77)

Jane Marquardt was awarded an honorary doctorate of humanities in 2024 by Weber State University. The degree recognizes Marquardt’s commitment to social justice and equality.

 

 

Brian King, a middle-aged white man with short light-brown hair wearing a navy blue suitBrian King ('85)

Brian King announced his plan to run for governor in the 2024 election in December 2023. King was elected to the state House of Representatives in 2008 and began his 16th session in January 2024. He currently represents District 23, which covers parts of Summit and Salt Lake counties.

 

Erik Christiansen, a middle-aged white man with short silver hair and glasses wearing a navy blue suitErik Christiansen ('90)

Erik A. Christiansen was named to Utah Business magazine's Utah Legal Elite list in June 2024. Christiansen is a shareholder in Parsons Behle & Latimer’s Salt Lake City office. He has more than 30 years of experience in high-stakes litigation and currently serves as Utah State Bar president.

 

Joan LindJoan Thompson Lind ('90)

Joan Lind has been promoted to risk manager at Steel Encounters, Inc. With a strong background spanning numerous years at Steel Encounters as contract manager with the risk management team, Joan oversaw the review and negotiation of hundreds of contracts in connection with the delivery of material and services to Steel Encounters’ partners in a timely and safe manner. Joan practiced law in California for several years before moving back to Utah.

 

Judge Janet Elledge, a middle-aged woman with shoulder-length curled dark-blonde hair wearing a black judge's robeJanet Elledge ('92)

Judge Janet Elledge was appointed to the Summit County Justice Court in January 2024. After law school, Judge Elledge joined the Salt Lake Legal Defender Association, where she worked as a criminal defense trial and appellate lawyer. Following her tenure as a public defender, she established a private practice, focusing on criminal defense and limited civil matters.

In 2017, West Jordan hired Elledge as a prosecutor and later prosecution supervisor. In 2020, she joined the Summit County Attorney’s Office as justice court prosecutor and was promoted to district court prosecutor in September 2022, a role she held until her appointment to the bench.

Paul Amann, a middle-aged white man with short dark-brown hair wearing a grey pinstriped suitPaul G. Amann ('93)

Paul G. Amann has received many awards for his legal work since graduation, including Attorney of the Year for the Utah Attorney General’s Office and Child Advocate of the Year by Prevent Child Abuse Utah in 2014.

Recently, Amann cleared the name of widely regarded prosecutor Chad L. Platt (‘99) through a GRAMA trial in the Third District Court. Amann also spoke on “20/20” and ESPN+ about University of Utah athlete Lauren McCluskey’s murder and to the Salt Lake Tribune about efforts to obtain transparency through GRAMA. Since 2020, Amann has represented indigent criminal defendants in Mohave County, Arizona. He was named Outstanding Attorney by the Arizona Public Defender’s Association in June 2024 in Tempe, Arizona. Numerous people in Arizona nominated him for the award.

Jared Anderson, a middle-aged white man with dark-brown hair and a silver beard wearing glasses and a naby blue suitJared Anderson ('98)

Judge Jared Anderson was appointed by Gov. Spencer Cox to serve in the Fourth District Court in Sept. 2024. Anderson will fill a vacant position created by the legislature during the 2024 session. He has owned Anderson Law, where he practices family and juvenile law, since 2015.

 

Samuel Webb, a middle-aged white man with short silver hair wearing a grey plaid suit and blue paisley tieSamuel E. Webb ('99)

Samuel Webb was named partner in Fox Rothschild’s Seattle IP group. Webb works with business leaders to develop global patent portfolios for critical technologies. He has prepared and prosecuted patents covering several marketed therapeutic products, provides strategic advice on the patent-related aspects of product lifecycle management, and has extensive experience leading clients through the IP aspects of the funding events, acquisitions, licensing transactions and collaborations.

 

Judge Stephen Nelson, a middle-aged white man with short brown hair graying at the temples wearing a black judge robeStephen Nelson ('02)

Judge Stephen Nelson was named to the Third District Court in November 2023, filling the vacancy left by Judge Randall Skanchy. He has served as assistant U.S. attorney in the national security section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah since 2016, prosecuting organized crime, violent crime and narcotics.

Nelson previously served for 11 years as a deputy district attorney in the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office and spent two years as an assistant attorney general in the Utah Attorney General’s Office.

Jess Krannich, a young white man with short brown hair and blue eyes wearing a grey suit and blue tieJess Krannich ('05)

Jess Krannich is now a partner at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati. His practice spans complex commercial litigation, including competition disputes ranging from trade secret and restrictive covenant litigation to intellectual property disputes, unfair competition, and antitrust litigation.

 

Judge Brian D. Bolinder, a young white man with short strawberry-blonde hair and grey eyes wearing a black judge robeBrian Bolinder ('06)

Judge Brian D. Bolinder was appointed to the Seventh District Court in November 2023 by Gov. Spencer Cox, serving Carbon, Emery, Grand, and San Juan counties. Until his appointment, Bolinder had served as a judge pro tem in the Salt Lake City Justice Court since 2016.

lt Lake City where he specializes in construction, business, real property and tort litigation. He previously served as an associate at Suitter Axland, Salt Lake City, and is past chair of the construction section of the Utah State Bar. He’s also been recognized by Mountain States Super Lawyers and Utah Business Magazine Legal Elite. Since 2016, Bolinder has served as a judge pro tempore in Salt Lake City Justice Court handling small claims matters.

“It is an honor and a privilege to be appointed by Gov. Cox to serve the Seventh District as a District Court Judge. I am humbled and grateful for this opportunity to return to southeastern Utah and serve the citizens of Carbon, Emery, Grand, and San Juan Counties both inside and outside the courthouse,” Bolinder said. “If I am confirmed by the Senate, I will diligently, faithfully, and fairly apply the law in all matters before me while ensuring neutrality and respect is provided to those with whom I interact.”

A native of Ferron, Bolinder has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Utah in Political Science with a minor in Russian, and a juris doctorate from the S.J. Quinney School of Law at the University of Utah.

Let's Go: A Jonathan Stearmer productionJonathan Alan Stearmer ('06)

Since 2011, Jon Stearmer has been the deputy county attorney for Uintah County. For the last 5 years, he has been passionately interested in John Wesley Powell and his dangerous expeditions through the Green and Colorado Rivers and the Grand Canyon. In conjunction with this interest, Jon has started a festival in the Uintah Basin honoring Powell and his crew members. For the last 4 years, Jon has written, produced and in June 2024 debuted a full scale Broadway style musical - securing the rights to the featured music by award winning artist, Alan Doyle. This original production was attended by Congressmen Blake Moore (UT-1) and John Curtis (UT-3), Governor Spencer Cox’s office, and Mike Lee’s office. An official statement recognizing Powell’s achievements and the play itself was presented in front of the US Congress in June 2024 by John Curtis. This momentous accomplishment was well received by the community and elected officials who attended. This play not only highlighted Powell’s life and legacy but his concern for the water conservation of the west.

 

Jing Liu ('08)

Jake Lloyd ('10)

On January 1, 2024, Jake was promoted to Partner at Moulton | Moore | Stella LLP ("MMS").

At MMS, Jake represents founders, executives and individual investors by negotiating and documenting their equity, compensation and separation packages in the context of liquidity events, new employment opportunities and fund formations. He also represents companies by preparing equity and compensation plans, agreements (including employment agreements) and arrangements for their executive employees.

Prior to his time at MMS, Jake practiced in the executive compensation, ERISA and employee benefits practice groups at the Boston offices of Ropes & Gray LLP and Sullivan & Worcester LLP. Prior to his career as an executive compensation attorney, Jake was a law clerk to the late Honorable Bruce S. Jenkins of the U.S. District Court for the District of Utah.

Nicole Salazar-Hall (JD '10)

Christiansen and Hall were named "Utah Legal Elite" attorneys by Utah Business Magazine. Both attorneys are shareholders in Parsons Behle & Latimer's (Parsons') Salt Lake City office.

According to Utah Business Magazine, these awards honor leading lawyers in Utah who have made significant contributions in their respective legal fields. Attorneys were nominated by their peers and were chosen by a prestigious panel of legal and law enforcement experts. Recognized attorneys were selected for their exceptional legal knowledge, ethical standards and professional accomplishments, reaffirming their respect and reputation within the legal community. Recipients of these awards range from seasoned veterans with years of experience to upcoming talent who are rising stars in the legal arena. In 2024, 100 legal professionals, including paralegals, were chosen.

Christiansen is a bet-the-company litigator with more than 30 years of experience in high-stakes litigation. Mr. Christiansen's extensive experience encompasses a wide range of complex, high-dollar commercial litigation matters, including securities, multi-level marketing, financial fraud, trade secrets and regulatory defense litigation matters. He is ranked by Chambers USA; Best Lawyers in America as "Salt Lake City Lawyer of the Year, Litigation-Securities in 2022; Mountain States Super Lawyers; and AV Preeminent by Martindale Hubbel . Christiansen is a long-standing member, editor and officer of the American Bar Association and the Utah State Bar where he currently serves as president.. He was appointed by Governors Jon Huntsman, Jr. and Gary Herbert as the Utah State Securities Commission chairperson and commissioner from 2009 – 2017 and has been active as a board member and adjunct professor at the S.J. Quinney College of Law at the University of Utah. Christiansen is also active in the community having served on boards and committees for Visit Salt Lake; Utah Film Center; KRL; CUAC; KRCL; Salt Lake Art Center (now known as UMOCA); and on the Salt Lake County Arts & Culture Advisory Board.

Salazar-Hall is a member of Parsons' family law group. Her practice encompasses all aspects of domestic law, assisting individuals in complex child custody cases, complex high net-worth property divisions, and navigating cases involving the Juvenile Court and the Division of Child and Family Services throughout Utah.Her community service includes: YWCA, Board of Trustees, July 2023; Racial Equity in Policing Commission, Core Commissioner, July 2020 – present; School Safety Subcommittee member, November 2020 – present; Centro de la Familia de Utah, Board of Trustees; Salt Lake City Human Rights Commission, Council District 5 Commissioner; S.J. Quinney College of Law, Alumni Board; and Legal Aid Society, Board of Trustees, past chairperson. She is also a member of the Utah Minority Bar Association, Women Lawyers of Utah, Utah State Bar Family Law Section, LGBT and Allied Lawyers of Utah, Parental Defense Alliance of Utah, American Bar Association, Family Law Section, Association of Family and Conciliation Courts and is the past chairperson of the Utah State Bar Indian Law Section.

Parsons congratulates these two outstanding attorneys on their accomplishments and well-deserved recognition.

Brittany (Cameron) Gillingham ('10)

Effective January 1, 2024, Brittany was appointed President and CEO of McKellar Structured Settlements (“McKellar”). McKellar is the oldest and largest structured settlement brokerage in Canada. Brittany has been integral to the growth of McKellar’s core business, including an expansion into class actions and cross-border structures. She maintains active law licenses in Utah and Ontario, and continues to lead McKellar’s legal team in addition to her executive role.

(Sandi Clemens '12) https://governor.utah.gov/2024/05/29/news-release-gov-spencer-cox-appoints-sandi-clemens-to-the-third-district-juvenile-court/

Candace Gibson ('12)

https://www.guttmacher.org/about/staff/candace-gibson

Jeremy M. Christiansen ('14)

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP has elected 35 lawyers to its partnership, effective January 1, 2024.

Jeremy M. Christiansen (Litigation / Washington, D.C.) represents clients from a wide variety of industries in high-stakes litigation, appellate and administrative law matters.  He graduated from the S.J. Quinney College of Law at The University of Utah in 2014.

Aaron Wade ('17)

https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240104729594/en/Gilmore-Bell-Announces-New-Director-and-Shareholder-in-Salt-Lake-City

Alan Beal ('20)

https://www.24-7pressrelease.com/press-release/507892/alan-beal-has-been-inducted-into-the-prestigious-marquis-whos-who-biographical-registry

 

Simeon Brown, a young white man with short blond hair and a mustache wearing glassesSimeon J. Brown ('21)

Simeon Brown has joined St. Louis-based law firm Lewis Rice as an associate practicing in the firm's Mergers & Acquisitions Practice Group. As a student at Utah Law, Simeon was executive managing editor of the Utah Law Review and inducted into the Order of the Coif.

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