Judge Samuel P. Chiara has been selected as a nominee for the Utah Supreme Court, according to official court records. The Eighth District Court judge, who has served on the bench since 2013, enters the final stages of a merit-based selection process that began earlier this summer.
The Judicial Selection Process
The selection of Judge Chiara follows the established merit selection process outlined by the Judicial Nominating Commission. Under the Utah Constitution, the commission reviews applications for judicial vacancies and conducts interviews before referring a list of candidates to the Governor. For appellate court positions, the commission refers seven names to the Governor for consideration.
Appointment and Confirmation
Once the Governor selects a nominee from the list provided by the commission, the candidate must receive confirmation by a majority of the Utah State Senate. This process is designed to ensure that judicial appointments are based solely on fitness for office rather than partisan political considerations, as mandated by the Utah Constitution and the Judicial Selection Act.
Judicial Career and Background
Judge Chiara currently serves on the Eighth District Court, presiding over cases in Daggett, Duchesne, and Uintah counties. He was originally appointed to the bench by Governor Gary Herbert in August 2013. His legal background includes private practice in Price, Utah, where he worked with Keith Chiara and later as a partner in the firm Chiara & Torgerson. His previous experience spans criminal defense, domestic, probate, contract, property, parental defense, and personal injury law.
Professional Recognition
A graduate of the J. Reuben Clark Law School at Brigham Young University in 1997, Chiara also holds a Bachelor of Science in accounting from the Marriott School of Management at the same institution. His professional recognition includes receiving the Utah State Bar Litigation Section Judicial Excellence Award in 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2020. Additionally, he has served on the Board of District Court Judges from 2017 to 2020 and currently serves on the Judicial Council on the Policy and Planning Committee.
Statewide Judicial Context
The judicial vacancy process remains a central function of the state's legal system. While the Governor's office handles various judicial announcements, including recent nominees for the Third District Juvenile Court announced on July 9, 2026, the Supreme Court appointments represent one of the highest levels of judicial selection in the state.
Current Supreme Court Membership
The Utah Supreme Court is currently composed of justices including Chief Justice Matthew B. Durrant, who has served on the court since his appointment in January 2000. Other members of the court include Justices Stephen P. Dent, John Nielsen, Jay T. Jorgensen, and Paige Petersen, alongside Associate Chief Justice Jill M. Pohlman.
