The bench on the Fourth District Court is soon to feel the weight of a new jurist now that Judge Robert Lunnen's retirement is set, effective August 1. The Fourth District Judicial Nominating Commission has whittled down a list of legal minds and five candidates have emerged as potential successors. The nominees, announced in a recent press release, include a variety of seasoned attorneys from various Utah counties.
Standing on the shortlist, we have Von Christiansen, currently the County Attorney of Beaver County. While vigorously defending cases, Joshua Esplin has found his footing as Assistant Director/Trial Attorney with the Utah County Public Defenders Association. Experience is hardly lacking for Tony Graf, who balances dual roles as Deputy County Attorney for Davis County and Volunteer Judge Pro Tempore at Salt Lake City Justice Court. Samuel Pead brings to the table his federal experience as an Assistant United States Attorney, and Ryan Stack enforces the law as a Deputy County Attorney/Prosecuting Attorney in Summit County, according to the Utah Governor's Office.
Utahns who are eager to have their say on who should ascend to the bench are invited to submit written comments. These can be directed to [email protected] or mailed to the Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice at their P.O. Box in Salt Lake City. Bearing in mind that the deadline is rapidly approaching at noon on April 21, time is of the essence for public input. Once the commission finishes going over comments and potentially conducting additional inquiries, Governor Spencer J. Cox will be handed the baton to choose among the candidates within 30 days.
