Retiring Justice Michael J. Wilkins

Justice Michael J. Wilkins was appointed to the Utah Supreme Court in January 2000, after six years on the Utah Court of Appeals. He has served on numerous judiciary and civic committees, including the Utah Judicial Council, Utah’s Executive Compensation Commission, as chair of the Judicial Council’s Policy and Planning Committee, Legislative Liaison Committee, and Standing Committee on Technology, as well as a state Bar Examiner. While at the Court of Appeals, Justice Wilkins was elected by his peers to serve as both Associate Presiding Judge, and as Presiding Judge. Justice Wilkins earned a bachelor’s degree (B.S. 1975) and law degree (J.D. 1977) from the University of Utah, and an advanced law degree (LL.M. 2001) from the University of Virginia. He is a frequent speaker and instructor on professionalism, the role of the courts, and other legal topics. He has also taught courses as an adjunct lecturer in law at the J. Reuben Clark Law School at Brigham Young University. Prior to his appointment to the bench, Justice Wilkins was engaged in the private practice of law in Salt Lake City. He also served in the United States Army from 1968 to 1972 as an intelligence analyst, and later as an intelligence officer.