Chief Justice Matthew B. Durrant

Position: Chief Justice
Court: Utah Supreme Court
Years on Court: January 2000 – August 31, 2026
Chief Justice: April 2012 – August 31, 2026
Appointed By: Governor Michael O. Leavitt
Predecessor (Chief Justice): Christine M. Durham
Successor (Chief Justice): Vacant (at Retirement)

Biography

Chief Justice Matthew B. Durrant served on the Utah Supreme Court for more than twenty-six years and was the longest-serving Chief Justice in Utah history. Appointed to the Court by Governor Michael O. Leavitt in January 2000, he became Chief Justice in April 2012 after being elected by his colleagues to succeed Chief Justice Christine M. Durham.

Born in California, Durrant earned a Bachelor of Arts from Brigham Young University before receiving his Juris Doctor from Harvard Law School in 1984. Following graduation, he clerked for Judge Monroe G. McKay of the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. He later joined the Salt Lake City law firm Parr, Waddoups, Brown, Gee & Loveless, where he became a shareholder and developed a broad civil litigation practice. He also served as an adjunct professor at Brigham Young University’s J. Reuben Clark Law School.

In 1998, Governor Leavitt appointed Durrant to Utah’s Third District Court, where he served until his elevation to the Utah Supreme Court two years later. As Chief Justice, he led the judiciary through a period of significant modernization, overseeing the expansion of electronic filing, digital case management, remote hearing capabilities, and statewide access-to-justice initiatives. He also chaired numerous judicial committees, including the Judicial Council’s Technology Committee, and led the effort to revise Utah’s Code of Judicial Conduct.

Beyond Utah, Chief Justice Durrant became a national leader in judicial administration. In 2024, he was elected President of the Conference of Chief Justices, representing the highest judicial officers of every U.S. state and territory. After more than twenty-six years on the Court and fourteen years as Chief Justice, he retired on August 31, 2026, leaving a legacy of both influential jurisprudence and institutional reform.

Judicial Philosophy

Chief Justice Durrant is widely regarded as a careful, methodical jurist whose opinions emphasize:

• Careful statutory interpretation
• Fidelity to constitutional text and precedent
• Clear analytical reasoning
• Judicial restraint
• Institutional integrity of the courts

His opinions are known for their organization, thorough legal analysis, and practical guidance for lower courts. While he authored opinions across virtually every area of Utah law, he became particularly influential in family law, civil procedure, appellate practice, and judicial administration.

Notable Family Law Opinions

Among Chief Justice Durrant’s most significant family law opinions are:

• 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.
• Bolden v. Doe, 2014 UT 51 — Putative father’s rights under Utah’s Adoption Act.
• Carlton v. Brown, 2014 UT 6 — Interstate adoption and biological father’s rights.
• Dahl v. Dahl, 2015 UT 79 — Divorce, alimony, property division, custody, and attorney fees.
• Jones v. Jones, 2015 UT 84 — Grandparent visitation.
• In re B.Y., 2015 UT 67 — Biological father’s rights in adoption proceedings.
• In re Adoption of J.M.S., 2015 UT 35 — Putative father rights and adoption.
• Nevares v. Adoptive Couple, 2016 UT 39 — Interstate adoption jurisdiction.
• Scott v. Scott, 2017 UT 66 — Alimony termination based on cohabitation.
• Scott v. Scott, 2020 UT 54 — Clarification of Utah’s cohabitation standard.
• Taylor v. Taylor, 2022 UT 35 — Judicial review of divorce arbitration awards.

Leadership and Service

During his tenure, Chief Justice Durrant:

• Served as Chief Justice of Utah (2012–2026).
• Served as Associate Chief Justice prior to becoming Chief Justice.
• Chaired the Utah Judicial Council Technology Committee.
• Led the revision of the Utah Code of Judicial Conduct.
• Founded the Utah Supreme Court’s Professionalism Committee.
• Promoted statewide electronic filing and modernization of court technology.
• Expanded access-to-justice initiatives throughout Utah’s judicial system.
• Served as President of the Conference of Chief Justices (2024–2025).

Education

• Brigham Young University — Bachelor of Arts
• Harvard Law School — Juris Doctor (1984)
• Judicial Law Clerk to Judge Monroe G. McKay, United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit

Professional Experience

• Shareholder, Parr, Waddoups, Brown, Gee & Loveless
• Adjunct Professor, J. Reuben Clark Law School, Brigham Young University
• Judge, Utah Third Judicial District Court (1998–2000)
• Justice, Utah Supreme Court (2000–2026)
• Chief Justice, Utah Supreme Court (2012–2026)

Legacy

Chief Justice Matthew B. Durrant is remembered as one of the most consequential jurists in modern Utah history. His opinions helped shape Utah law in divorce, adoption, parental rights, and civil procedure, while his administrative leadership transformed the Utah judiciary through technological innovation, increased professionalism, and expanded public access to the courts. His combination of influential jurisprudence and long-serving judicial leadership leaves a lasting impact on both Utah law and the administration of justice.