Utah Governor Spencer Cox appoints new Supreme Court justices

Utah Governor Spencer Cox has announced the appointment of three individuals to judicial positions. Judge Matthew L. Bell and attorney Michael R. Menssen have been appointed to the Utah Supreme Court. These appointments fill vacancies left by the retirement of Chief Justice Matthew Durrant and the resignation of Justice Diana Hagen.

Judge Bell has served as a district court judge in the Fifth Judicial District since 2017 and previously worked as an assistant U.S. attorney and for the Department of Justice Antitrust Division. Michael Menssen, a partner at Mayer Brown LLP, was described by the governor as one of the state’s finest civil litigators. Both appointees must now undergo confirmation by the state Senate.

Additionally, Elizabeth “Liz” Butler has been appointed to serve on the Third Judicial District Court.