Woods Cross Lawyers

As a long-time partner in the firm’s commercial litigation group, Matt helps clients in a range of industries navigate and resolve often complex disputes. He specializes in prosecuting and defending breaches of contract in state and federal courts, and has tried and argued cases at every level of the trial and appellate system. Many of Matt’s clients work in the construction industry and turn to him for help pursuing and securing payment, clearing title to real property, and solving boundary problems. Matt also represents commercial landlords when leases run into trouble. He has experience in a variety of other business...

I am a registered Patent Attorney with a degree in chemical engineering and industry experience in food processing and electrical engineering. I represent innovative entities seeking to protect intellectual property rights. I work with inventions in a breadth of industries including the chemical, material science, electrical, medical, nanotechnology, gaming, and consumer products industries. In addition to patent work, my practice includes trademark, copyright, licensing, and general IP counseling.

Nathanael Paynter is a member of the firm’s Corporate group, focusing on business formation, mergers and acquisitions, securities as well as media and First Amendment Law.

Mr. Paynter received his J.D. from The University of Chicago Law School in 2012 where he was a Joseph E. Green Scholar and served as Executive Editor for The University of Chicago Legal Forum. He was a recipient of the Sidley Austin Prize–Excellence in Brief Writing in the Bigelow Moot Court Competition and the Henry Beale Prize–Most Outstanding Written Work in Legal-writing section. While in law school, Mr. Paynter worked as legal intern with...

I am the managing partner of Eisenberg, Gilchrist & Cutt. I have exclusively represented injury victims for my entire career. My practice includes all areas of personal injury with an emphasis on defective products, trucking accidents, premises liability, brain and spinal cord injuries, and wrongful death. I have helped my clients recover millions of dollars through settlement, arbitration, and trial. I have worked on cases in many different states, and I have tried cases in Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming. I have written and/or argued appeals to the Utah Supreme Court, the Utah Court of Appeals, and...

Mr. Schofield is a litigator with a broad base of experience. He represents commercial parties, litigating business, contract, insurance, employment, intellectual property, real-estate, bankruptcy, and multi-level marketing matters. He also represents plaintiffs in mass tort, wrongful death, and serious personal injury matters, and has extensive experience representing individuals who have suffered damages from utility caused fires. He has represented both plaintiffs and defendants in state and federal court and has tried cases in Utah and California.

Prior to joining Parr Brown in 2004, Mr. Schofield practiced law for five years with a New York City-based law firm, LeBoeuf,...

Mike’s practice involves complex commercial disputes regarding intellectual property, insurance, securities, and constitutional, international, and comparative law. As a result of his unique background, he also has developed an expertise specific to media and entertainment law. He has experience at all levels of litigation from trial court to final appeal and especially enjoys helping innovative startups find creative solutions to practical and legal dilemmas.

With Parr Brown’s Media and First Amendment group, Mike helps businesses and individuals with a variety of privacy, defamation, and public-access issues under state and federal law. He regularly assists journalists and others seeking access to information...

After leaving a career as a Merchant Marine officer, Mr. Bautista has practiced criminal defense exclusively since 1999. Since then, he has represented over 4,000 clients and has obtained dismissals or not guilty verdicts in all types of criminal cases, including white collar crimes, criminal homicide, all sex crimes including rape and aggravated sex abuse of a child, aggravated burglary, robbery, thefts, forgeries, aggravated assaults, drug and alcohol charges including DUI, and domestic violence allegations. When unable to secure a dismissal, Mr. Bautista has helped obtain a favorable resolution, or tried the case before a jury. ...

Michael Hoppe specializes in assisting clients in complex business and commercial litigation matters. He has broad experience representing clients in a wide range of complex litigation matters, including contract, construction, and other general business disputes. He has particular expertise in construction litigation, representing both large general contractors and owners in a variety of matters in several states involving defending or pursuing claims for construction defect, delay, acceleration, disruption, mechanics liens, and other construction-related claims.

Mr. Hoppe has substantial experience representing both companies and individuals in a variety of complex litigation matters. He has experience in state and federal...

Philip Dracht is a shareholder in Fabian. He is a trial lawyer in the litigation and employment departments. Phil focuses on complex litigation and class actions, with experience in product liability and consumer litigation, intellectual property (copyright, trademark, and trade secrets) disputes, real estate disputes, and business litigation. Phil also litigates contractual disputes, business disputes, unfair competition claims, and trade libel claims.

Mr. Johansen is a shareholder in Parr Brown’s Business and Finance groups. He has over a decade of experience advising on large, multi-national securities offering, merger, acquisition, fund formation and investment matters, as well as advising on reporting obligations (U.S. SEC and Hong Kong Stock Exchange) and general corporate matters.

Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Johansen worked for leading U.S. and British law firms (inter alia, Paul Hastings and Allen & Overy) in Hong Kong. Mr. Johansen also seconded with the asset management division of a major U.S. investment bank (JP Morgan) focused on fund formation and investment matters for...

Tulsi J. Patel is a former prosecutor who is very experienced in all aspects of litigation from beginning to end. She has handled a wide variety of cases such as divorce, adoption, custody, protective orders, narcotics, violent sex crimes, aggravated assault, armed burglaries, robberies, fraud, and thefts. With Tulsi on your side, you'll have an extremely compassionate, detailed, and aggressive advocate. You'll never have to worry about where you stand in your case. Most importantly, Tulsi is an honest advocate. She will help you understand the best path to achieving your goals while keeping you informed of cost expectations...

Michael J. Watton is the senior partner at Watton Law Group. As a leading national consumer bankruptcy lawyer, he has guided thousands of clients through bankruptcy and debt consolidation, as well as successfully representing individuals in suits against mortgage servicers, payday lenders, and large financial companies. Mr. Watton is admitted to practice in the state courts of Wisconsin, Colorado, Missouri, Utah, Ohio, Florida, New York, Arkansas, Virginia, Arizona, and Kansas, as well as the federal courts in certain districts of those states and in the US 7th and 8th Circuit Courts of Appeals. Attorney Watton is AV Rated by Martindale-Hubbell,...

Russell is a founding partner of Atticus Legal Group, LLC.  His practice focuses on achieving optimal outcomes for individuals in domestic actions, including divorce, and custody actions. Nathan also defends individuals involved in minor criminal matters, often involving protective orders and domestic violence claims.
Russell has successfully conducted both jury and bench trials before various courts in the State of Utah.  He has argued a civil appeal before the Utah Court of Appeals, and drafted briefs for appeals before the Utah Supreme Court.
Russell received his J.D. from Gonzaga School of Law, in 2006 and B.S., from the University of Utah in...

Steve Glauser practices in the Litigation practice group. He has experience in various areas of litigation including commercial litigation, construction litigation, commercial landlord-tenant disputes, intellectual property and copyright litigation, tort and personal injury.

Mr. Glauser earned his Juris Doctor from the George Washington University Law School where he was a George Washington Scholar and a member of The George Washington Law Review, the George Washington Mock Trial Board, and an Executive Committee Member and Problem Author for the Religious Freedom Moot Court Competition. He received his B.A. from the University of Utah where he was named Captain of the Men’s Lacrosse...

Rachel Wertheimer practices in the firm’s Litigation section.

Ms. Wertheimer received her Juris Doctor in 2011 from the University of Utah, S.J. Quinney College of Law, where she was a member of the Order of the Coif with Highest Honors, and a William H. Leary Scholar. She served as the Note and Comment Editor of the Utah Law Review, was a member of the first place team in the Traynor Moot Court Finals, a member of the National Moot Court Team, and a Legal Methods Teaching Assistant.

Prior to joining Parr Brown, Ms. Wertheimer served as a judicial law clerk...

Jeffery Balls is a member of the firm’s litigation team with a particular emphasis on helping clients with title, real property and construction law matters. Mr. Balls received dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Political Science and Economics, magna cum laude, from Utah State University in 2006. He attended the University of Utah’s S.J. Quinney College of Law, where he was Articles Editor of the Utah Law Review, a William H. Leary Scholar, and graduated with his Juris Doctor, Order of the Coif in May of 2009.

Before joining Parr Brown, Mr. Balls served as a law clerk internship...

Thomas Goodwin is a member of the firm’s real estate and finance groups.

Mr. Goodwin received his Juris Doctor Order of the Coif in 2012 from the S.J. Quinney College of Law where he was the Executive Footnote Editor of the Utah Law Review. He was awarded the CALI Award multiple times for highest grade in course as well as several Outstanding Achievement Awards for best overall performance in course.

While attending law school, Mr. Goodwin served as a volunteer for the Utah Crime Victims Legal Clinic, as a Law Clerk for the Salt Lake Legal Defenders, and as a Judicial...

GRADUATED WITH HONORS FROM UNIVERSITY OF SAN DIEGO COLLEGE OF LAW RATED TOP BANKRUPTCY ADVOCATE NATIONALLY CHAIRMAN, ROCKY MOUNTAIN BANKRUPTCY PROFESSIONALS

Michael Reed is an accomplished and compassionate lawyer and an associate at Watton Law Group.

I founded The Lebrecht Group, APLC in February 2001. Currently, I assist various clients primarily in the areas of corporate finance and mergers and acquisitions, including private placements, public and private offerings, Securities and Exchange Commission and Blue Sky compliance and reporting requirements, asset and stock purchases, and general corporate practice.

Bryan Johansen is a Shareholder in the firm’s litigation group. Mr. Johansen specializes in complex commercial litigation with particular emphasis in the areas of construction, insurance coverage, and breach of contract litigation.

Mr. Johansen strives to provide practical and cost effective solutions to difficult problems. He has settled and tried dozens of cases to successful resolution for oil and gas, construction, direct sales, hospitality, transportation, finance, and healthcare industries. His experience includes claims for construction defect and delay for owners and contractors, toxic tort defense, road disputes (public rights of way, prescriptive easements, adverse possession), non-competition agreements, tortious interference, and HIPAA...

I defend governmental entities and their officers against complaints asserting the deprivation of civil rights. These include all types of claims of alleged misconduct, such as excessive force, search and seizure, wrongful arrest, false imprisonment, malicious prosecution, abuse of process, and denial of medical care, to name a few. At any given time, I am involved in multiple officer-involved shooting cases from inception, including investigations by the Department of Justice and press inquiries, through conclusion. I have a deep respect for my Utah police officer clients and their dedication to society at great personal expense. I listen carefully to determine...

Known for his laconic wit and irrepressible spirit for adventure, identity theft protection and credit attorney Eric Stephenson rarely turns down a challenge. Whether arguing a difficult motion to a difficult judge, negotiating with an unreasonable opposing counsel, or pushing harder to improve his lap times on the racetrack, Mr. Stephenson always fearlessly embraces the task at hand with enthusiasm and diligence. With well over a decade of experience as a consumer litigation attorney, Eric Stephenson has represented numerous consumers against deceptive and unscrupulous debt collectors, telemarketers, car dealers, credit reporting agencies, insurance companies, and construction contractors. “Collection...

Paul Barrus is a member of the firm’s business and finance group. Mr. Barrus also practices in the areas of tax and employee benefits and executive compensation, which includes advising on the tax and benefit aspects of mergers and acquisitions. Mr. Barrus also has experience designing and implementing equity incentive plans.

Mr. Barrus received his Juris Doctor in 2015, graduating cum laude from Northwestern University School of Law. He received a B.S. in Political Science, cum laude, from Brigham Young University – Idaho in 2011.

Prior to joining Parr Brown, Paul practiced law as an associate at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett...

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).

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....

Steven L. Rinehart is a registered Utah patent attorney who prepares patents and trademarks. He obtained his J.D. from the University of Utah, and studied Computer Science, Naval Science and English as an undergraduate at BYU. Steve regularly files patents on improved mechanical devices. Steve is the founder of www.theopticon.com, a free legal file exchange for attorneys and non-attorneys.

Sara M. Nielson is a Shareholder with the Firm’s Litigation Section.

Ms. Nielson specializes in assisting clients in complex business and commercial litigation matters. She has experience representing clients in a wide range of complex litigation matters, including contract, construction, regulatory compliance, trade secrets, legal malpractice, and other general business disputes. Ms. Nielson has particular expertise in construction litigation and has experience representing both companies and individuals in state and federal courts and before mediators.

Ms. Nielson received her Juris Doctor magna cum laude and Order of the Coif in 2011 from the Brigham Young University J. Reuben Clark Law...

DAVID P. HIRSCHI is a manager and owner of HIRSCHI STEELE & BAER, PLLC. Mr. Hirschi’s practice emphasizes general business transactions, residential and commercial real estate acquisitions, sales, and land use planning; negotiation and documentation of project, construction, permanent and lease financing; the preparation and interpretation of commercial, industrial, office and retail leases; title insurance litigation; foreclosures and workouts of troubled loans and developments; real estate investment and land use planning strategies; and general estate and trust planning. Mr. Hirschi is the current Chair and member of the Board of Directors of the Utah Land Use Institute and...