PRESS RELEASE

Salt Lake City, UT (June 3, 2025) – Associate Chief Justice John A. Pearce recently announced his upcoming departure from the Utah Supreme Court. Justice Pearce has served on the Utah Supreme Court since December 2015 and has served as Associate Chief Justice since July 2022. Prior to his appointment to the Utah Supreme Court, Justice Pearce served on the Utah Court of Appeals. He was appointed to both the Court of Appeals and Supreme Court by Gov. Gary R. Herbert, for whom he worked as General Counsel from 2009 to 2013.

In his May 30, 2025, letter to Gov. Spencer J. Cox announcing his departure, Justice Pearce noted that in his sixteen years of public service, he has “had the privilege to work alongside some of the most dedicated and talented people in the state – none more so than my colleagues on the Utah Supreme Court. I am extremely proud of the Court and the work that it has done.” 

Justice Pearce’s final day as a member of the Supreme Court will be December 1, 2025. Justice Pearce plans to return to private practice and to continue teaching at the S.J. Quinney College of Law at the University of Utah. Before joining Gov. Herbert’s staff, Justice Pearce worked for two law firms, Palo Alto-headquartered Wilson, Sonsini, Goodrich & Rosati and Salt Lake City based Jones Waldo.  

Chief Justice Matthew B. Durrant praised Justice Pearce’s work in the judiciary: “Justice Pearce’s contributions to the citizens of Utah and to their judiciaryhave been truly extraordinary. He is not only a brilliant jurist, but also a wonderful colleague. The legacy he has built will long be a force for good in our state.” Chief Justice Durrant expressed particular appreciation for Justice Pearce’s efforts to enhance representation for indigent parties and to improve the way the Supreme Court measures lawyer competence. 

Gov. Cox will appoint Justice Pearce’s successor from a list of seven candidates provided by the Appellate Nominating Commission. That appointment will be subject to confirmation by the Utah Senate.

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Ron Gordon
he/him
State Court Administrator
801-578-3816ronbg@utcourts.gov