Payson Lawyers

I've been a criminal defense lawyer for 21 years. I represent clients accused of sex offenses, violent crimes, financial crimes, DUI and drug offenses. Over the course of my career I have tried over 60 cases to jury verdict. I pride myself in communicating with my clients and keeping them informed about the status of their case.

Nathan D. Alder became a lawyer in October 1995, and clerked for a federal judge in Salt Lake City, Utah, then joined Christensen & Jensen, P.C. He has practiced at C&J ever since (www.chrisjen.com). His practice has been far-reaching and comprehensive in many areas. As a result of his abilities across the litigation spectrum, he has been privileged to serve as a frequent mediator; Mr. Alder has been recognized as one of Utah's top lawyers, as one of the Best Lawyers in America, and as one of the Top 100 lawyers in our five-state region (Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming).

Melanie Cook is licensed to practice law in Minnesota and Utah. She volunteers as an advocate for the Domestic Violence Pro Bono Initiative (Davis County) each Wednesday morning. Melanie is an adjunct professor at Broadview University and teaches law to paralegals. Also, Melanie mentors paralegal students with career goals and academic advice, providing volunteer opportunities at law firms and pro bono clinics throughout Salt Lake, Davis and Weber County. In 2012, Melanie received her Certificate in Advocacy and Problem Solving from Hamline University School of Law. In 2011, Melanie published an article entitled “Third Party Rights and Child Custody” in...

I spent my formative years in hard-working farming communities in Northern Utah and Southeast Idaho. After high school, I moved to Provo, went on an LDS mission to Spain for two years, and eventually received a Bachelor’s degree in political science from BYU in 2007. After a couple years of traveling and working, I moved to East Lansing and received a J.D. from Michigan State University College of Law in 2012. I spent my summers during law school assisting migrant workers get legal assistance for various non-immigration injustices such as sexual abuse, physical abuse, inappropriate living conditions, unsafe work environments,...

Joseph Pia is lead counsel on complex litigation cases in the areas of intellectual property, entertainment law, and commercial litigation. His peers have rated him as a Legal Elite and Super Lawyer, for having a high-degree of recognition and professional achievement. For over a decade, Mr. Pia has aggressively represented both plaintiffs and defendants. He is known for litigating a $60 million securities case through to the Utah Supreme Court and prevailing; and tens of millions of dollars in multi-jurisdictional cases. Last year, Mr. Pia represented parties in more patent suits than any other attorney in the State of Utah....

Brett’s practice focuses primarily on patent procurement, and includes extensive experience with both U.S. and foreign patents. Brett has drafted and prosecuted patent applications for a wide range of technologies. Brett has experience with patent appeals, patent re-examination and reissue proceedings, patent infringement analysis, and freedom to operate analysis, as well as experience with trademark prosecution and enforcement, copyright filings, and litigation.

We focus on comprehensive estate planning, including matters of tax and business planning and health and financial planning. When planning hasn't happened or has been inadequate, we handle all kinds of probate issues and probate litigation.

My law practice focuses on insurance, cyber law, and employment law, with an emphasis in representing insurance carriers in coverage, subrogation/recovery, and bad faith litigation. I frequently advise insurers in the areas of analysis of liability claims, written opinions on coverage, and pre-and post-suit counsel on claims handling and litigation tactics. I also frequently represent carriers’ interests in coverage disputes/reservations of rights in liability litigation. I have successfully represented policyholders seeking coverage, procuring six-figure settlements in life, disability, and commercial liability policy claims. I have also successfully intervened on behalf of multiple corporate and individual policyholders in disputes over...