Utah Gov. Spencer Cox has nominated Jay Winward to the Fifth District Court, filling the vacancy created by Judge Jeffrey Wilcox’s retirement. Winward’s nomination requires confirmation by the Utah Senate.
“Jay Winward will bring great knowledge and experience to the Fifth District bench,” Gov. Cox said. “I am pleased he’s willing to take on this new responsibility and know he will serve the people of southern Utah well.”
Currently, Winward is a prosecutor in the United States Attorney’s Office, District of Utah. During his time there, he received the St. George Police Department Chief’s Award. Prior to his current role, he worked as a partner at Winward Law where he represented clients in federal, state, and municipal criminal cases, domestic and family law, commercial litigation, business transactions, and real property. Prior to that, he was an attorney at Mitchell & Forest, working in all aspects of a civil litigation practice.
“I am grateful and humbled to be appointed by Gov. Cox to the Fifth District Court,” Winward said. “It is truly an honor to serve the southern Utah community. I will diligently apply the law and, if confirmed, I will do so in a fair, respectful, and impartial manner.”
Winward received a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from the University of Utah, and a J.D. from the Thomas Jefferson School of Law, San Diego. Since 2009, he’s been an adjunct business law professor at Utah Tech University. He’s also provided pro bono legal services at the Southern Utah Community Legal Center and served on the board of directors of the Utah Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys.
