Michael Judd’s practice centers on competition and information. He guides clients through complex litigation in varied industries, including disputes related to employee mobility, antitrust and trade secrets. He also maintains a vigorous First Amendment practice in which he represents media organizations in their news-gathering efforts.
Capabilities
Biography
Michael is a commercial litigator focused on competitive issues. His work includes employment litigation where he represents employers in cases related to employee movement, compensation and compliance with state and federal law, including the ADA, FLSA, and FMLA.
Michael’s practice also includes complex business and intellectual-property matters, including trade-secret disputes, enforcement of restrictive covenants and anti-competitive business practices.
In his First Amendment practice, Michael also represents clients, including news media organizations, in matters that enable reporting and public oversight through access to government records, defense of defamation claims and similar legal issues.
Experience
Represented client against antitrust complaints (Sherman Act)
Parsons represented Ute Conference against anti-trust (Sherman Act Section 1 & 2) complaints regarding boundary rules for a youth football team. The plaintiffs also asked the federal court to enjoin the Ute Conference from enforcing boundary rules through a temporary restraining order (TRO). Parsons obtained a complete victory for the client. The judge declined to enter any aspect of the requested TRO and found for the client on likelihood of success on the merits, on irreparable harm and on the balance of harms.
Dismissal of Defamation Charges by GOP Leader Against The Salt Lake Tribune
Based on Michael Judd's argument of neutral reporting privilege, The Salt Lake Tribune's Motion to Dismiss was granted in a lawsuit brought by former Utah GOP director of communications for defamation. The judge's decision rested on a previous Salt Lake Tribune case outcome (Schwarz), which, in 2005, was argued by Parsons attorney Michael O'Brien.
Defended Client in Competitive Misconduct with Antitrust Issues
Defended a pharmacy services client in allegations of competitive misconduct with antitrust issues.
Accomplishments
Academic
University of Iowa, J.D.
· Editor in Chief of the Iowa Law Review
· Captained the Jessup Moot Court team
· Received the Dean’s Award for Constitutional Law
· Earned a joint MBA at Iowa’s Tippie College of Business
Princeton University & Brigham Young University, B.A, English, Economics
Professional
Utah Legal Elite, Civil Litigation 2022
Mountain States Super Lawyers, Rising Stars, 2019–2023
Associations
Professional
Advisory Committee, Utah Rules of Appellate Procedure, Recording Secretary, 2019–present
Board Member, Utah Chapter, Federal Bar Association, 2020–present
Community
President, Alumni Association, The Waterford School, 2013–present
Insights
Article
Employment Law Update, October 10, 2024
News
Parsons Behle & Latimer First Amendment Attorney Michael Judd Defends The Salt Lake Tribune in GRAMA Appeal Brought by the Utah Attorney General’s Office
News
Parsons Behle & Latimer Employment and Labor Attorneys Present at 2024 Bridgerland Annual SHRM Conference
Article
Employment Law Update, April 25, 2024
Articles
Employment Law Update, October 10, 2024
Employment Law Update, April 25, 2024
Employment Law Update, November 20, 2023
Employment Law Update, July 13, 2023
Employment Law Update, June 30, 2023
Federal Court Sides with Whole Foods in Dress-Code Dispute Over Black Lives Matter Masks
Employment Law Update
Presentations
Credentials
Licensed
Utah
Education
University of Iowa College of Law
