Chief Justice Matthew B. Durrant announced his retirement from the Utah Supreme Court on August 9, 2026, concluding a judicial career in the state that spans over two decades. The announcement, released by the Utah State Bar, marks a major leadership transition for the state's highest court.
A Long Judicial Career
Durrant's service on the Utah Supreme Court began in January 2000, when he was appointed to the bench by Governor Michael O. Leavitt. Prior to his elevation to the high court, Durrant served as a trial judge in the Third Judicial District.
Leadership and Committee Roles
During his tenure, Durrant held several influential positions within the state's judicial system. He served as the Supreme Court representative on the Utah Judicial Council and held the role of Associate Chief Justice.
Beyond his primary judicial duties, Durrant contributed to several administrative and ethical oversight bodies. He was the founding chair of the Supreme Court's Professionalism Committee and served as the chair of the Judicial Council's Technology Committee. Additionally, he led the Supreme Court Committee tasked with the revision of the Code of Judicial Conduct.
Professional Background
Before his appointment to the bench, Durrant's legal career included a clerkship with Judge Monroe G. McKay of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. Following the clerkship, he joined the Salt Lake law firm that is currently known as Parr, Waddoups, Brown, Gee, & Loveless, where he practiced as a shareholder prior to his appointment as a district judge.
Education and Teaching
Durrant's academic and legal foundations include a law degree from Harvard Law School, which he earned in 1984. In addition to his courtroom work, he has contributed to legal education as an adjunct professor at Brigham Young University's J. Reuben Clark Law School.
Supreme Court Composition
The retirement of Chief Justice Durrant comes amid a period of notable changes within the Utah Supreme Court. The court's current roster includes Justices Stephen P. Dent, John Nielsen, Jay T. Jorgensen, and Paige Petersen, as well as Associate Chief Justice Jill M. Pohlman.
