The Fifth District Judicial Nominating Commission has selected nominees for two vacancies on the Fifth District Court. These positions result from the retirements of Judge Keith C. Barnes, May 16, 2026 and Judge John J. Walton, July 1, 2026.
The nominees for the vacancies are: Jack Burns, Attorney, Burns Law Office, PC; William Frazier, Managing Partner, Bangerter Frazier Group; Leah Jensen, Section Director/Assistant Attorney General, Utah Attorney General’s Office; Edrick Overson, Owner, Overson Legal & Mediation, PLLC; Bryan Pattison, Founding Partner/Shareholder, Blanchard Pattison LLC; Meagan Rudd, Partner/Attorney, The Rudd Firm, P.C.
Written comments can be submitted to the Fifth District Judicial Nominating Commission at [email protected] or Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice, P.O. Box 142330, Salt Lake City, UT 84114-2330. The deadline for written comments is noon Mar. 27, 2026. The Nominating Commission may request further information or conduct an investigation of the nominees after reviewing public comments. After the public comment period, the names will be sent to Gov. Spencer J. Cox, who will have 30 days to make an appointment. Gov. Cox’s appointee is subject to confirmation by the Utah Senate.
