Governor Spencer Cox has appointed Judge Matthew Bell and attorney Michael Menssen to the Utah Supreme Court, filling the final vacancies on the state's highest court. The appointments, announced August 28, follow the retirement of Chief Justice Matthew Durrant on Aug. 31 and the resignation of Justice Diana Hagen earlier this year, completing a massive judicial overhaul.
A Period of Judicial Turnover
The new appointments fill the final seats on a bench that has undergone dramatic turnover. The two appointees will replace longtime members of the court: Justice Diana Hagen resigned in May amid allegations she denied that were previously dismissed as lacking evidence and credibility. The other vacancy follows the retirement of Chief Justice Matthew Durrant, who is stepping down Aug. 31 after decades of service.
Expansion and Executive Appointments
The appointments come after the Utah Legislature expanded the Supreme Court from five to seven justices earlier this year. Governor Cox had already appointed attorney Jay Jorgensen and federal prosecutor Stephen Dent to those newly created seats, both of whom joined the court this summer. This means that out of the seven justices on the court, six were selected by Cox. The only remaining justices from the previous era are Jill Pohlman and Paige Petersen.
Shifting Court Composition
The recent appointments follow a series of departures and shifts. Justice John Nielsen was confirmed to the Utah Supreme Court in November to fill the seat left by the resignation of Associate Justice John Pearce. With the addition of Bell and Menssen, Cox has had the opportunity to nominate five of the seven justices within a 12-month period, a development that allows the governor to significantly shape the court's composition.
Legislative and Political Tensions
The expansion of the court has been a point of contention. Lawmakers added the two additional seats following Republican losses on redistricting, ballot initiatives, and abortion. While supporters pointed to Utah's growth and increasing workload as the reason for expansion, critics have characterized the move as "court packing." Former Chief Justice Matthew Durrant had previously stated that the court was not overloaded.
Addressing Inter-Branch Tensions
The recent judicial changes occur amid rising tensions between the Utah Legislature and the judiciary. During his annual State of the Judiciary address on Jan. 20, 2026, Chief Justice Durrant addressed lawmakers, noting that disagreements between branches of government are normal and should be viewed as "signs of healthy institutions." He urged lawmakers not to let disappointment with specific rulings lead to penalties for the entire judicial branch.
Legacy of Matthew Durrant
Chief Justice Durrant, the longest-serving chief justice in Utah's history, will retire after 26 years on the court, including 14 years as chief justice. He was first appointed to the court in 2000 by former Governor Michael Leavitt. Durrant, a graduate of Harvard Law School and Brigham Young University, also served as president of the Conference of Chief Justices in 2024.
Judicial Legacy and Recognition
The Utah State Bar and Governor Cox both praised Durrant's service. The Bar noted that Durrant understood the importance of the courthouse being a place where ordinary people feel the law is working for them, rather than just a forum for those who can afford to navigate it. Cox described the retiring justice as a "deeply respected jurist" and an "extraordinary person."
