Karra J. Porter

Paul Barrus is a member of the firm’s business and finance group. Mr. Barrus also practices in the areas of tax and employee benefits and executive compensation, which includes advising on the tax and benefit aspects of mergers and acquisitions. Mr. Barrus also has experience designing and implementing equity incentive plans. Mr. Barrus received his Juris Doctor in 2015, graduating cum laude from Northwestern University School of Law. He received a B.S. in Political Science, cum laude, ...

Director and Shareholder A skilled orator, Mr. Barnes has argued numerous cases before the Utah Court of Appeals, the Utah Supreme Court, and the 10th Circuit. He represents clients in various types of litigation, specializing in real property, construction, water, and employment law matters. He also serves as a mediator for construction disputes. Mr. Barnes has been actively involved in resolving construction disputes since the mid-1980’s. He has represented owners, general contractors...

James S. Wright is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law, Land Use and Zoning Law and Real Estate Law. James S., who practices law in Salt Lake City, Utah, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which James S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Katia K. Conrad is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insurance Law. Katia K., who practices law in Salt Lake City, Utah, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Katia K. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jeffery A. Balls is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Litigation - Real Estate. Jeffery A., who practices law in Salt Lake City, Utah, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jeffery A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Kent Collins has extensive tax planning experience counseling high net worth clients and small to mid-sized businesses. Mr. Collins is also experienced in the area of aviation law, having worked as in-house General Counsel for Morris Air. He is currently counsel for SkyWest, Inc. Mr. Collins has taught classes at the Brigham Young University Law School on Wills, Trusts & Estate Planning, is a past Chair of the Tax Section of the Utah State Bar, and is admitted to practice before the Unite...

Sara M. Nielson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Sara M., who practices law in Salt Lake City, Utah, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Sara M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Michael Hoppe specializes in assisting clients in complex business and commercial litigation matters. He has broad experience representing clients in a wide range of complex litigation matters, including contract, construction, bankruptcy, and other general business disputes. He has particular expertise in construction litigation, representing both large general contractors and owners in a variety of matters in several states involving defending or pursuing claims for construction defect, del...

Robert McConnell is a member of the firm’s transaction and real estate practice groups and has substantial experience in commercial financing transactions representing lenders, borrowers and developers. Mr. McConnell represents clients undertaking a wide variety of commercial and residential real estate development activities, including residential, retail and office condominium developments, low-income housing projects utilizing tax credit financing, subdivision and mixed-use community...

Mr. Dewsnup also has played a major role in developing and improving the quality of procedures and practices critical to fair, responsible complex injury litigation in Utah. He has chaired the Prelitigation Task Force of the Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing for the State of Utah, which helped to develop medical malpractice prelitigation procedures. He also chaired the subcommittee for drafting the first set of medical malpractice pattern jury instructions for Utah and was a...