Utah Gov. Spencer J. Cox has appointed Patricia C. Kuendig and Todd M. Olsen to the Third District Court, filling vacancies created by the retirement of Judge Barry Lawrence and the appointment of Judge John Nielsen to the Utah Supreme Court. Judicial appointments are subject to confirmation by the Utah Senate.
“Patricia Kuendig has built a distinguished legal career marked by strong courtroom ability, thoughtful leadership and a deep respect for the law,” said Gov. Cox. “Her broad litigation experience and commitment to fairness will serve Utah well on the Third District Court.”
Kuendig is an owner and partner at Dodd & Kuendig in Park City, where her practice includes civil and criminal litigation, including complex family law. She previously practiced in Salt Lake City, Utah, and Miami, Florida. She has also taught trial skills to attorneys through the Dodd Trial Skills Clinic and the National Family Law Trial Institute. She has also held leadership roles with the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and the Utah State Bar. Kuendig earned a bachelor’s degree in international business and marketing from New York University and a juris doctorate from The George Washington University Law School.
“I am humbled and honored to be nominated to serve the Third District Court and the people of Utah,” Kuendig said. “I truly appreciate the trust placed in me by Governor Cox. If confirmed, I will work hard to foster a courtroom environment where justice and fairness are applied with dignity, compassion and a commitment to the law.”
Olsen currently serves as a commissioner for the Third District Court, where he oversees a large criminal docket and assists judges across the court’s calendar. Before joining the court, he spent more than 15 years with the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office, including as senior deputy district attorney and supervisor of the restorative justice and treatment court team, with significant experience in drug court. He also practiced family and juvenile law with Lokken & Associates and served as a law clerk in the United States Senate. Olsen serves on the Utah State Bar’s Bar Examiner Committee, is a board member for Reset Outreach, and earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Utah State University and a juris doctorate from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law.
“Todd Olsen’s career reflects the same commitment to fairness, public service and the rule of law,” said Gov. Cox. “He understands both the demands of the courtroom and the responsibility of ensuring each case is handled with care.”
“I am deeply humbled and sincerely grateful to Governor Cox for this nomination,” Olsen said. “If confirmed, I will dedicate myself to serving the people of the Third District by faithfully applying the law and ensuring that every person who appears before me is treated with fairness and respect.”
