Elizabeth “Liz” Butler will leave Parsons Behle & Latimer (Parsons) this week to become Utah’s newest Third Judicial District Court Justice after practicing as a shareholder here for the past four years. She was appointed to the position of Third Judicial District Court Justice by Governor Spencer W. Cox in August and confirmed by the Utah State Senate in September.
The decision to pursue a judgeship is a recent one for Butler, but she has long been a proponent of giving back, both professionally and personally. Professionally, Butler serves as co-chairperson of Parsons’ litigation department (one of the largest in the Intermountain West) and as an adjunct professor at the S.J. Quinney College of Law at the University of Utah. Before joining Parsons, Butler served as chair of the Board of Directors; chair of the Women Lawyers Group; and chair of the Associate Recruiting Committee at her previous law firm Jones Waldo Hobrook & McDonough. In her personal life, Butler has served on the board of the 1999 Collective and Utah Clean Energy, and she is a member of the Salt Lake County Search & Rescue Team. She is an avid skier and ultra-runner who has finished the Wasatch 100 four times. Now, she says, she is at a point where she wants to do more for her community in her professional life, as well.
Parsons’ litigation practice Co-chair Thomas B. Barton says, “I’ve been very fortunate to work with Liz as litigation department co-chairperson. She is a great role model and has taught me a lot. Liz truly cares about the firm and its litigators, especially the associates with whom we are working to help achieve success at Parsons and generally in life. Liz is wise, determined, empathetic, a straight-shooter and a great listener. She always pulls more than her own weight and would rather see others shine than take the spotlight. In a short time, Liz has made her mark at Parsons, and it is a very positive one. She will be missed but will also be a great addition to Utah’s judiciary. Thank you, Liz.”
As a litigator, Butler has worked on complex commercial litigation, employment and labor, real property, and intellectual property matters and has even impacted the laws of the State of Utah by litigating a case of first impression in Utah jurisprudence. But as a judge tasked with deciding not only civil litigation matters but criminal matters, as well, she says, her decisions will have a profound impact on the lives of Utahns – something she does not take lightly. As she says. “I don’t think you can overstate the impact a judge can have on people’s lives, particularly when liberty is at stake.”
Long-time colleague and Parsons’ Shareholder Nathan D. Thomas says, “Liz is one of the finest lawyers I know, and I am confident her skills will serve her well in her new position. As a litigator, Liz has always applied common sense, demonstrated compassion and courtesy, and applied the law and rules as written. I am confident she will take these attributes with her to the court. She makes an excellent addition to the Third District Court bench and, while I am sad to lose her, I am happy for the people of the State of Utah.”
Butler concedes that the learning curve she faces in becoming a judge with a wide-ranging and inclusive legal docket for three counties, including some areas of the law in which she has not previously practiced, will be arduous. But it is one of the reasons, she says, she is looking forward to taking on the role. “It is not a secret that judges are extremely busy and that caseloads are high,” Butler says. “I think that workload can function as deterrent for people wanting to leave their jobs to become a judge. To be sure, by becoming a judge I will probably face the steepest learning curve of my life. But I’m excited by that challenge. I’m confident in my legal skills and ability to learn, and I hope to use those skills to have a positive impact for the people of Utah.”
Parsons’ CEO and Chairperson Shawn C. Ferrin says, “We are very excited for Liz as she steps into the next phase of her legal career and express our gratitude for the commitment she is making to the Utah legal community to help ensure that the District Court bench continues to be filled with thoughtful, intelligent, and dedicated lawyers. In her time at Parsons, Liz has made a significant impact on the firm as an exceptional lawyer and leader. She will be missed.”
