Appeals

Smith Hartvigsen was formed in 2002 when its four founding members left a long-established Salt Lake City law firm to pursue their vision of a practice that would be responsive to its clients and also be progressive enough to excel in today's quickly evolving legal environment. Since that time, several other attorneys have joined Smith Hartvigsen.

Despite its short history, Smith Hartvigsen is comprised of lawyers having a wealth of appellate experience. Over thirty-five appellate cases in which Smith Hartvigsen’s attorneys represented a litigant have been reported in regional or federal reporters. Additionally, Smith Hartvigsen attorneys represent clients in several pending state and federal courts of appeals. Many of the firm’s attorneys served as judicial law clerks, including two for the Utah Supreme Court, one for the Utah Court of Appeals and one as an intern to a justice of the Michigan Supreme Court. Most of our attorneys have published articles specifically relevant to appellate practice and have taught continuing legal education courses on elements of appellate practice.

Additionally, the firm’s attorneys have been recognized by the membership of the Utah State Bar for their excellence in appellate advocacy. D. Scott Crook served as the chair of the Appellate Section of the Utah State Bar from July 2003 to July 2004 after having served as chair-elect from March 2002 to July 2003. Scott M. Ellsworth currently serves as the chair of that section after having served as chair-elect from July 2003 to July 2004 and secretary/treasurer from March 2002 to July 2003. In September 2004, J. Craig Smith was recognized by the section of Energy Natural Resources, and Environmental Law of the Utah State Bar as Lawyer of the Year for having argued several water-related cases to the Utah Supreme Court during the preceding year.

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