John Cooper is a civil litigator in Parsons Behle & Latimer’s Salt Lake City office. John has a two-pronged litigation practice focused on (1) representing local government clients and (2) representing plaintiffs in a range of civil matters, such as breach of contract; fraud and conversion; voidable transfers; trust and probate disputes; judgment enforcement and real property disputes. John is committed to serving his clients with sound judgment and a high level of professionalism.

Capabilities

Biography

John focuses on representing local government clients, including Utah cities and a local police department in a variety of civil litigation matters. John was responsible for conducting a significant investigation into the operational and regulatory response of a local city to a municipal water supply issue.

John also represents individuals and businesses in his civil litigation practice. He has represented clients pursuing claims in a range of civil matters including: breach of contract; fraud and conversion; trust and probate disputes; real property disputes; judgment enforcement; and traffic accidents. John has experience representing a court appointed receiver in actions to recover voidable transfers arising from underlying securities fraud. 

Before joining Parsons Behle & Latimer, John worked a 24-year career in law enforcement, serving as a police officer, detective and supervisor. John uses his experience conducting investigations to enhance his practice representing individuals, businesses and government clients.

John received his J.D. degree from the University of Utah, graduating with highest honors and earning election to The Order of the Coif. John earned his undergraduate degree, a B.S. in mechanical engineering, from Northwestern University.

In his free time, John enjoys canyoneering and snowboarding.

Experience

Breach of Fiduciary Duties

Represented five beneficiaries in a jury trial who sued two Trustees for breaches of fiduciary duties. Clients were awarded damages, then won a post-trial motion to remove the former Trustees. 

Breach of Real Estate Purchase Contract

Represented clients in a bench trial. Clients sued defendants for claims including breach of contract, breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, and promissory estoppel in connection with a real estate purchase contract. The Court ruled in favor of clients, entered judgment in their favor, and awarded them the full amount of their damages.

Accomplishments

Academic

University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law (J.D., 2016)

- The Order of the Coif
- Quinney Award (Ranked 5th in class)
- Judicial Extern for the Honorable Judge Robert Shelby of the U.S. District Court, District of Utah

Northwestern University (B.S. Mechanical Engineering)

- Member: Tau Beta Pi (Engineering Honor Society)

Insights

Credentials

Licensed

Utah
U.S. Dist. Court, Dist. of Utah

Education

University of Utah, S.J. Quinney College of Law