PROFESSIONAL BIOGRAPHY OF BRIAN R. FLORENCE

Self-employed - Attorney/Mediator/Special Master.  Graduated from University of Utah Law School in 1968. Has 32  years of litigation experience primarily devoted to personal injury, domestic relations, criminal defense, business and employment disputes.  Has devoted the past nine years to a nearly exclusive mediation and arbitration practice.  Prior to changing this focus, was listed in the publication:  Best Lawyers in America in the categories of personal injury, domestic relations and criminal law. Currently listed in category of Family Law Mediation.   Also listed in Utah’s Legal Elite.

Member of the following:
American Board of Trial Advocates  (Advocate)
Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers
Fellow, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
Fellow, American Bar Foundation

Served on Utah State Bar Commission from 1980-1986 and was President of the Utah State Bar in 1984 - 1985; Served as Interim Executive Director, Utah State Bar (May-September, 1990).

Utah Bar Activities:

Utah State Bar Examiner (1975-1980)
Client Security Fund Committee (1977-1979)
Weber County Bar President (1979)
Circuit Court Judicial Nominating Commission (1977-1980)
District Court Judicial Nominating Commission (1992-1994)
Juvenile Court Judicial Nominating Commission (1984-1985)
Appellate Court Judicial Nominating Commission (1986-1990)
District Court Commissioner Nominating Committee (2003)
Utah Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice (1983-1985)
Utah Judicial Conduct Commission  (1983-1986)
Chairman of Utah Judicial Conduct Commission  (1985-1986)
Ex-officio member of Utah Judicial Council (1985-1986)
Board of Trustee of University of Utah Law School
Alumni Association  (1985-1988)
Chairman of Utah Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Board (1989-1990) 
Vice-President, Utah Bar Foundation (1998 to 2001).

 

Recognitions and Awards:

Named Outstanding Domestic Lawyer of the Year in 1987;
Distinguished Lawyer for Service to the Bar award in 1990;
Utah Trial Lawyer of the Year in 1996;
Peace Keeper Award from Utah Council on Conflict Resolution, 2003;
Peter Billings ADR Award, 2007
Lifetime Achievement Award (first ever) from Family Section of Utah State Bar, 2008

Has completed extensive training in domestic dispute and personal injury mediation and arbitration.  He has been part of the faculty in family law and basic mediation seminars.  He has conducted approximately 3000 mediations.

Created Collaborative Family Lawyers of Utah (CFLU), a group of trained family practitioners who handle domestic disputes under the new and unique collaborative law process.