Associate Chief Justice Ronald E. Nehring

Position: Associate Chief Justice (formerly Associate Justice)
Court: Utah Supreme Court
Years on Court: May 2003 – February 1, 2015
Associate Chief Justice: Served prior to retirement
Appointed By: Governor Michael O. Leavitt
Predecessor: Justice Michael J. Wilkins
Successor: Justice Constandinos H. Himonas

Biography

Associate Chief Justice Ronald E. Nehring served on the Utah Supreme Court from 2003 until his retirement in 2015, following nearly two decades of service as a district court judge. Widely respected for his intellect, humility, and civility, he earned a reputation as one of Utah’s most admired jurists. Upon his retirement, his colleagues elected him Associate Chief Justice, recognizing his leadership and service to the Court.

Justice Nehring was born in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, and raised in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He attended Cornell University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in History and distinguished himself as an All-American track and field athlete. He narrowly missed qualifying for the 1972 United States Olympic team in the 4×800-meter relay. He later earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, where he served on the Journal of Contemporary Law.

Following law school, Justice Nehring worked for Utah Legal Services before entering private practice with Prince, Yeates & Geldzahler, where he became a shareholder. In 1995, Governor Michael O. Leavitt appointed him to the Third Judicial District Court. His fellow judges later elected him Presiding Judge of the district court, and he also served as Chair of the Board of District Court Judges, a member of the Utah Judicial Council, and a member of the Supreme Court Advisory Committee on the Rules of Professional Conduct.

Governor Leavitt appointed Justice Nehring to the Utah Supreme Court in May 2003. During nearly twelve years on the Court, he authored numerous influential opinions across family law, civil procedure, criminal law, and constitutional law. After retiring on February 1, 2015, he remained highly respected throughout Utah’s legal community. He passed away on May 24, 2019, following complications from cancer treatment.

Judicial Philosophy

Justice Nehring was widely regarded as a thoughtful and practical jurist whose opinions emphasized:

• Careful statutory interpretation
• Fairness and judicial restraint
• Respect for precedent
• Civility and professionalism
• Clear, accessible legal writing

His colleagues frequently described him as a “judge’s judge” whose opinions combined careful legal analysis with an engaging writing style. He was particularly admired for treating litigants, attorneys, and court staff with dignity and respect.

Notable Family Law Opinions

Among Justice Nehring’s significant family law opinions are:

• Dahl v. Dahl, 2015 UT 79 — Divorce, alimony, property division, custody, and attorney fees.
• In re Adoption of J.M.S., 2015 UT 35 — Putative father’s rights under Utah’s Adoption Act.
• Nevares v. M.L.S., 2015 UT 34 — Interstate adoption and biological father’s rights.
• Johnson v. Johnson, 2014 UT 21 — Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs) and retirement benefits.
• Gardiner v. Vanderwerff, 2014 UT 56 — Judicial declaration of common law marriage.
• Carlton v. Brown, 2014 UT 6 — Interstate adoption and parental rights.
• Bolden v. Doe, 2014 UT 51 — Adoption and putative father requirements.

Leadership and Service

During his judicial career, Justice Nehring:

• Served as Associate Chief Justice of the Utah Supreme Court.
• Served as Presiding Judge of the Utah Third Judicial District Court.
• Chaired the Board of District Court Judges.
• Served on the Utah Judicial Council.
• Served on the Supreme Court Advisory Committee on the Rules of Professional Conduct.
• Was elected a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation.

Education

• Cornell University — Bachelor of Arts, History
• University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law — Juris Doctor

Professional Experience

• Attorney, Utah Legal Services
• Shareholder, Prince, Yeates & Geldzahler
• Judge, Utah Third Judicial District Court (1995–2003)
• Justice, Utah Supreme Court (2003–2015)
• Associate Chief Justice, Utah Supreme Court (prior to retirement)

Legacy

Associate Chief Justice Ronald E. Nehring is remembered as one of Utah’s most respected judges and legal writers. His opinions reflected careful scholarship, practical wisdom, and a deep commitment to justice. Beyond his jurisprudence, he was admired for his professionalism, kindness, and mentorship within the legal community. Chief Justice Matthew B. Durrant described him as “a judge’s judge,” praising his unwavering dignity, thoughtful opinions, and enduring commitment to justice. His influence continues to be felt through the many opinions he authored and the example he set for generations of Utah judges and attorneys.