The Utah Judicial Performance Evaluation Commission (JPEC) announced the addition of a new commissioner, Curtis M. Jensen, a founding partner of Snow Jensen & Reece, P.C., one of the largest locally owned and headquartered law firms in St. George, and a former president of the Utah State Bar.
“In addition to his thriving legal practice, Curtis Jensen is very active in his southern Utah community, and as such, he brings an important perspective to our Commission,” said John P. Ashton, Chair of JPEC.
Mr. Jensen has been recognized for multiple years as one of Utah Business Magazine’s Legal Elite and Super Lawyers and has served on numerous committees of the Utah State Bar. In addition, he has been tapped to serve on boards of many local organizations, including as board member and chairman of the Washington County School District Foundation, board member of Habitat for Humanity of Southwest Utah, committee member of the Santa Clara Economic Development Committee, chairman of the Santa Clara City Land Use and Planning Commission, and cofounder and past board member of the Snow Canyon Youth Basketball Association.
Mr. Jensen joins the independent, 13-member JPEC, established by the Utah Legislature in 2008. JPEC collects and disseminates research-based information to voters about the performance of the approximately 200 judges who serve throughout the state. The legislative, judicial, and executive branches of government each appoint several commissioners to JPEC. No more than half of the commissioners may be attorneys, and no more than half may belong to the same political party. Mr. Jensen’s appointment is by the Utah House of Representatives.
JPEC produces evaluations of judges so Utah voters may make informed decisions about retaining a judge in office. Judges also use the evaluation results to improve their performance. JPEC’s goal is to support quality judging in Utah by promoting public accountability of judges while ensuring that the judiciary remains an independent branch of government. In 2016, the Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System affirmed, “Utah’s independent and innovative judicial performance evaluation process is a national model of excellence.” More information about JPEC is available athttps://judges.utah.gov/.
