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Justice Jill N. Parrish

1 case – Third District Court
2 cases – Utah Supreme Court

Position: Associate Justice
Court: Utah Supreme Court
Years on Court: January 2003 – August 17, 2015
Chief Justice: N/A
Appointed By: Governor Michael O. Leavitt
Predecessor: Justice Richard C. Howe
Successor: Justice John A. Pearce


Biography

Justice Jill N. Parrish served as an Associate Justice of the Utah Supreme Court from 2003 to 2015 before her appointment to the United States District Court for the District of Utah. She is widely recognized as one of Utah’s most accomplished jurists, having served with distinction on both the state and federal benches.

Born in Ogden, Utah, Justice Parrish graduated summa cum laude from Weber State University in 1982 before earning her Juris Doctor from Yale Law School in 1985. Following law school, she clerked for the Honorable David K. Winder of the United States District Court for the District of Utah. She then entered private practice with the Salt Lake City law firm Parr, Waddoups, Brown, Gee & Loveless, where she practiced complex civil litigation. In 1995, she joined the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah as an Assistant United States Attorney, serving until her appointment to the Utah Supreme Court.

Governor Michael O. Leavitt appointed Justice Parrish to the Utah Supreme Court in January 2003. During her twelve years on the Court, she authored influential opinions in family law, constitutional law, civil procedure, and appellate practice. She also chaired the Supreme Court Committee on Civility and Professionalism, served on the Utah Judicial Council, and participated in numerous judicial committees focused on improving the administration of justice.

In 2015, President Barack Obama nominated Justice Parrish to serve as a United States District Judge for the District of Utah. She was confirmed by the United States Senate and received her commission on August 17, 2015. In 2025, she became Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Utah.


Judicial Philosophy

Justice Parrish is widely respected for opinions emphasizing:

  • Careful statutory interpretation
  • Clear and practical legal analysis
  • Respect for precedent
  • Judicial restraint
  • Fairness and procedural integrity

Her writing is known for being concise, well organized, and accessible while remaining analytically rigorous. During her tenure on the Utah Supreme Court, she developed a reputation for thoughtful questioning during oral argument and carefully reasoned majority opinions.


Notable Family Law Opinions

Among Justice Parrish’s significant family law opinions are:

  • Carlton v. Brown, 2014 UT 6 — Adoption and biological father’s rights.
  • Johnson v. Johnson, 2014 UT 21 — Qualified Domestic Relations Orders (QDROs) and retirement benefits.
  • Bolden v. Doe, 2014 UT 51 — Utah Adoption Act and putative father requirements.
  • In re Adoption of J.M.S., 2015 UT 35 — Putative father rights in interstate adoption.
  • Nevares v. M.L.S., 2015 UT 34 — Interstate adoption and jurisdiction.
  • In re B.Y., 2015 UT 67 — Parentage and adoption.
  • Dahl v. Dahl, 2015 UT 79 — Divorce, alimony, property division, custody, and attorney fees.

Leadership and Service

During her judicial career, Justice Parrish:

  • Served on the Utah Supreme Court (2003–2015).
  • Chaired the Supreme Court Committee on Civility and Professionalism.
  • Served on the Utah Judicial Council.
  • Served on the Court Technology Committee.
  • Served as President of the Utah Chapter of the Federal Bar Association.
  • Became Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Utah in 2025.

Education

  • Weber State University — Bachelor of Arts, summa cum laude
  • Yale Law School — Juris Doctor
  • Judicial Law Clerk to the Honorable David K. Winder, United States District Court for the District of Utah.

Professional Experience

  • Associate, Parr, Waddoups, Brown, Gee & Loveless
  • Assistant United States Attorney, District of Utah (1995–2003)
  • Associate Justice, Utah Supreme Court (2003–2015)
  • United States District Judge, District of Utah (2015–Present)
  • Chief Judge, United States District Court for the District of Utah (2025–Present)

Legacy

Justice Jill N. Parrish is one of the few Utah jurists to have served with distinction on both the Utah Supreme Court and the federal district court. Her opinions significantly influenced Utah family law, particularly in the areas of adoption, parentage, divorce, and retirement benefits. Her subsequent appointment to the federal bench reflects the broad respect she earned for her scholarship, professionalism, and judicial temperament.