Gov. Spencer J. Cox has appointed Ryan Tenney to the Utah Court of Appeals. The governor’s nominations are subject to confirmation by the Utah Senate.
“Ryan is one of the most accomplished and respected appellate attorneys in the state,” Gov. Cox said. “His appellate experience, sharp legal writing and ethical grounding will make him an excellent addition to the Utah Court of Appeals. I’m grateful for his willingness to serve the people of Utah.”
Tenney currently serves as assistant appellate attorney in the United States Attorney’s Office, a position he’s held since 2015. Prior to his current position, he served as an assistant attorney in the Utah’s Attorney General’s Office in the criminal appeals division and as a civil litigation associate at Howard, Lewis & Peterson in Provo. Since 2008, he’s been an adjunct professor at the J. Reuben Clark Law School at Brigham Young University teaching appellate brief writing and legal research and writing. He’s also served on numerous committees of the Utah State Bar including the State Judiciary’s Ethics Advisory Committee and the Bar’s Appellate Section.
Tenney graduated cum laude from J. Reuben Clark Law School and magna cum laude with a bachelor’s of arts with honors from University of Utah.
“I’m incredibly humbled to receive this appointment,” Tenney said. “I have the utmost respect for the Utah Court of Appeals and the important work it does. If I’m fortunate enough to be confirmed, I’ll do my very best to uphold the court’s long tradition of reviewing each case fairly, impartially, and with true fidelity to the law.”
The Utah Senate Judicial Confirmation Committee is therefore seeking public comment on Ryan Tenney, who Governor Spencer J. Cox appointed as a judge to the Utah Court of Appeals.
Those who desire to comment should contact Utah Senate Judicial Confirmation Committee staff, Jerry Howe at the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel, by 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, July 7, 2021, at the Utah State Capitol, House Building, Suite W210, PO Box 145210, Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-5210. All statements should include the respondent’s name, telephone number and mailing address.
The Senate Judicial Confirmation Committee plans to hold a public hearing, then issue a recommendation to the full senate. If confirmed by the senate, Mr. Tenney will fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Mary Kate Appleby.
The Utah Court of Appeals covers the entire state of Utah for all appeals from the Juvenile and District Courts.
Members of the Senate Judicial Confirmation Committee are Sen. Todd Weiler (Chair), Sen. Kirk Cullimore, Sen. David P. Hinkins, Sen. Don L. Ipson, Sen. Jani Iwamoto, Sen. Karen Mayne and Sen. Daniel McCay
Senate Judicial Confirmation Committee information is available here.
