Legal Malpractice Law - Defendants Commercial Litigation
*Named the "Lawyer of the Year" in this practice area in the 2026 edition in Salt Lake City.
Michael F. Skolnick
Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2007 Awarded Practice Areas
Biography
Michael F. Skolnick is an AV peer review rated attorney. Over the years, his practice has emphasized professional liability defense, commercial litigation, product liability law, personal injury law, wrongful death cases and general civil litigation. He is now offering mediation services, acting as a mediator in the areas in which he has practiced during his forty year career as a lawyer.
Mr. Skolnick has been regularly listed in The Best Lawyers in America and Mountain States Super Lawyers. Representative clients generally include: attorneys, accountants, real estate agents and brokers, insurance agents and agencies, architects, plaintiffs or defendants in personal injury and wrongful death actions and a variety of other litigation and business clients.
From 1985 to 1988, Mr. Skolnick served as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Utah. He joined Kipp and Christian in 1988 and became a shareholder in 1992. Mr. Skolnick was recently appointed by the Utah Supreme Court to serve on the court's Professionalism and Civility Counseling Board.
Overview
- Italian
- The University of Texas, J.D., graduated 1985
- The University of Texas, B.A., graduated 1982
- Utah, Utah State Bar
- Diversity Law Institute - Member
- American Inns of Court - Master of the Bench
- Litigation Counsel of America - Fellow
- United States Supreme Court
- 1st Circuit Court of Appeals
- 10th Circuit Court of Appeals
- United States District Court for the District of Utah
- United States District Court for the District of Wyoming
- United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts
- United States District Court for the District of Idaho
- Italian
- Utah, Utah State Bar
- Diversity Law Institute - Member
- American Inns of Court - Master of the Bench
- Litigation Counsel of America - Fellow
- The University of Texas, J.D., graduated 1985
- The University of Texas, B.A., graduated 1982
- United States Supreme Court
- 1st Circuit Court of Appeals
- 10th Circuit Court of Appeals
- United States District Court for the District of Utah
- United States District Court for the District of Wyoming
- United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts
- United States District Court for the District of Idaho
Client Testimonials
Awards & Focus
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
- Legal Malpractice Law - Defendants, Salt Lake City (2026)
- Legal Malpractice Law - Defendants, Salt Lake City (2022)
- Legal Malpractice Law - Defendants, Salt Lake City (2014)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
- Commercial Litigation
- Legal Malpractice Law - Defendants
Additional Areas of Practice:
- Mediation
- Litigation - Insurance
- Personal Injury Litigation
- Professional Malpractice Law
News & Media
Case History
Cases
- Rockwood Select Asset Fund XI (6)-1, LLC v. Devine Millimet & Branch, 750 F.3d 1178 (10th Cir. 2014)
The 10th Circuit Court of Appeal affirmed dismissal of a Utah resident's suit against a New Hampshire law firm for lack of personal jurisdiction. The decision both confirms and clarifies existing 10th Circuit law regarding when an in-state resident may assert personal jurisdiction over an out-of-state law firm that has provided legal services which arguably impact the resident.
- Asael Farr & Sons Co. v. Truck Insurance Exchange, 193 P.3d 650 (Utah App. 2008)
In Asael Farr, the Utah Court of Appeals held an insurance agent's duty to procure a policy that is satisfactory to an insured is limited by the information provided by the client, unless the client specifically instructs the agents to obtain essential facts necessary for the client to make an informed decision.
- Harline v. Barker, 912 P.2d 433 (Utah 1996)
In Harline, the Utah Supreme Court clarified the elements of a legal malpractice action under Utah law, with particular emphasis on the elements necessary to establish proximate cause.
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