Utah lost a beloved lawyer and jurist, Ron Nehring, who passed away from complications related to cancer on Friday, May 24, 2019. Justice Nehring (Ron to his many friends, including his classmates, lawyers and other jurists), was recognized by many for his quick wit, rigorous intellect, and great interest in people and their concerns. Several of his 1978 classmates have started a scholarship at the S.J. Quinney College of Law in his memory. They have created the below profile of Justice Nehring in an effort to encourage support for this campaign.
Ron actively exhibited his belief in assisting others by beginning his career at Utah Legal Services Corporation, eventually becoming the managing attorney of the organization. While there, he organized a Utah State Bar project with volunteer attorneys providing free legal services to indigent clients.
After achieving many milestones at Legal Services, Ron moved to Prince, Yeates and Geldzahler where he practiced civil litigation for fourteen years. Ron left Prince Yeates in 1995 when Governor Leavitt appointed him to the Utah District Court as a trial judge. While serving as a judge, he gave additional service to the Utah judiciary and public by serving as Chair of the Board of District Court Judges, as a member of the Supreme Court Advisory Committee on the Rules of Professional Conduct and as a member of the Utah Judicial Council.
Governor Leavitt, recognizing the asset Ron was to the legal community, and the community at large, appointed him to the Utah Supreme court in 2003, where he remained until his retirement in 2015. The Utah Senate confirmed his appointment discussing, at length in the confirmation process, Ron’s battle with cancer. Even during treatment and while on medical leave, he continued to go to the courthouse and work on his caseload two or three days a week.
This is no means a complete portrayal of Ron’s life and service. His death has left a void which will not be filled easily. In honor of Ron, and all he did for the legal system, the public and the rule of law, his law school class and family have decided that the best way to ensure Ron’s continued legacy is to help future students have the ability to attend law school and mirror his career in public service. The goal is to raise at least $25,000 in the first year, to create an endowed scholarship and ideally $50,000 to $100,000 so that the scholarship can provide the maximum benefit to students in perpetuity. Giving has already reached over the halfway mark for an endowed scholarship.
Please consider contributing to this scholarship. There is nothing more meaningful that can be done to honor Ron and promote everything he worked for during his life. Donations can be made online at www.law.utah.edu/give or send donations to:
Kevin Carrillo
S.J. Quinney College of Law
383 South University Street
Salt Lake City, UT 84112