Spencer Phillips

Mr. Simmons has edited and contributed articles to the Utah Trial Journal and the American Bar Association’s Litigation Section’s Products Liability Newsletter. Among his publications are articles focusing on medical malpractice verdicts, strict products liability and comparative fault, pain pump litigation, and appeals strategies at trial, to name a few. He has served on the Utah Supreme Court’s Advisory Committee on Model Utah Jury Instructions since 2003 and previously se...

George W. Pratt is Of Counsel in Buchalter’s Salt Lake City office, where he has practiced law for over 40 years. Before joining Buchalter, George was a shareholder at Jones, Waldo, Holbrook & McDonough, where for many years he served on Jones Waldo’s board of directors, executive committee, and as chair of the litigation department.

Along with a focus on appellate work in federal and state courts, Michelle represents clients in Utah and California in a wide range of business litigation matters, including business torts, breach of contract cases, and First Amendment litigation. Michelle also represents clients in environmental and natural resources litigation matters, including public lands litigation. Michelle regularly has cases in front of, and argues before, the Utah Supreme Court, Utah Court of Appeals, and the Unite...

Eric Babych has prepared and prosecuted patent applications on a global scale for over a decade. He also manages large-volume patent estates and coordinates prosecution strategies worldwide. Eric works thoroughly and efficiently to understand his clients’ innovations as well as the commercial goals behind the innovations. Representing clients who are faced with domestic and overseas business challenges, Eric’s international experience and perspective support him in offering action...

Steven Christiansen has over 30 years experience with environmental permitting and enforcement matters, RCRA and CERCLA remediation, air emission credits transactions, climate change, state implementation plan development, environmental legislation, NEPA, public lands permitting, environmental aspects of business transactions, brownfield redevelopment, and the administrative rule-making process. He also works in the areas of energy and public utilities law. Mr. Christiansen actively represent...

Barton L. Gertsch is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Land Use and Zoning Law and Real Estate Law. Barton L., 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 Barton L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Steven Jensen is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Steven, who practices law in Salt Lake City, Utah, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Steven is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Royce Covington is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Land Use and Zoning Law and Real Estate Law. Royce, who practices law in Salt Lake City, Utah, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Royce is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

John concentrates his practice on advising private and public entities on employee benefits and equity compensation matters for early stage private companies through mature public companies with a focus on mergers and acquisitions. From Fortune 100 companies to start-ups, John assists clients with employment agreements and creatively structuring tax-effective and practical incentive arrangements that meet business and operational goals. Incentive Plan Design: John works with groups or related...

Jonathan Hafen has extensive experience representing clients in federal and state courts. He has been widely praised by clients and peers for his skilled and efficient approach to litigation. As a trial lawyer, Mr. Hafen handles a wide variety of litigation, including cases in the areas of securities law, employment law, breach of contract, land disputes, road disputes, intellectual property, disputes over ownership and control of businesses, class actions, and construction law. Mr. Hafen&rsq...