Attorney General-elect Derek Brown announced four additional appointments to his executive team: Stanford E. Purser as Utah Solicitor General, State Auditor John Dougall as Administrator, Erin Wynn as Director of External Relations, and Hanna Seariac as Director of Communications. Attorney General-elect Brown previously announced the appointment of Daniel Burton as Chief Deputy, Stewart Young as Criminal Deputy, and Mark Burns as Civil Deputy. These four additional appointments fill essential positions on the Attorney General-elect’s Executive Team.
“I am proud to announce the talented individuals I have selected for my team, who will play a vital role in protecting Utah, while making the Office of the Attorney General the leading law firm in the state,” declared Attorney General-elect Derek Brown. “Each team member is a well-known expert in their field, and possesses a deep commitment to Utah, its institutions, and its people. Their exceptional skills and experiences will enhance our ability to uphold the Constitution and our laws, and safeguard Utah and its citizens.”
Purser has worked as an appellate attorney at the Office of the Attorney General since 2011. A well-known expert in appellate law, he began his career clerking for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, as well as for two Utah Supreme Court justices. Purser has also practiced civil appeals and complex commercial litigation at K&L Gates, one of the largest and most well-known law firms in the country.
Dougall is a respected watchdog and champion for effective government in Utah. As State Auditor for 12 years, he prioritized transparency and accountability, revolutionizing public access to government spending through the upgraded Transparent Utah website. He also launched the innovative Project KIDS site, empowering Utahns to track public education spending and performance. Before his tenure as Auditor, Dougall spent a decade in the Utah House of Representatives, where he served in key leadership roles, including Vice Chair of Executive Appropriations and Chair of the House Ethics Committee. He was instrumental in sponsoring Utah’s landmark 2007 tax reforms. Known for his fiscal conservatism and commitment to limited government, Dougall was widely respected as a collaborative leader focused on results. The Deseret News called him “possibly the most impactful auditor in Utah history.”
Wynn is well-known in the Utah political arena, most recently serving as Executive Director of the Martha Hughes Cannon Statue Oversight Committee. Before shepherding Martha to the U.S. Capitol Statuary Hall, Wynn was the Political Affairs Director for the Utah Association of Realtors, as well as Strategic Programs Manager and International Relations Coordinator for the Utah House Republican Caucus. For many years, she served as Executive Assistant for the Utah Department of Veterans and Military Affairs. Throughout her career, Wynn has developed strategic relationships and knowledge to help the Office of the Attorney General better serve the public and strengthen ties with community stakeholders.
Seariac most recently worked as a staff writer at the Deseret News, covering the 2024 Election, and issues concerning the Office of the Attorney General including legislation, the law, and the legal system. At the Deseret News, Seariac’s beats included politics, religion, and the law, and she published highly read stories on issues such as the states’ lawsuits against social media companies, the fentanyl epidemic in the West, and what overturning the Chevron deference doctrine means for Utah. Seariac also has a master’s degree in Comparative Studies from Brigham Young University. While her voice will undoubtedly be missed in the press, Seariac will bring her experience and media relationships to the office, and ensure that AG-elect Brown is both transparent and accessible to the Utah media.
Attorney General-elect Derek Brown assumes office on Monday, January 6, 2025, Utah’s inauguration day.
