Brian G. Cannell at a glance
- Current role
- Presiding Judge, District Court Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Utah · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Brian G. Cannell
Presiding Judge, District Court Judge · Utah First District Court
Biography
Professional career
- The Presiding Judge of Utah’s First District Court, serving in Box Elder, Cache, and Rich counties since his 2013 appointment by Governor Gary R. Herbert
- At the time of his appointment to the bench, Judge Cannell was a practicing attorney and managing shareholder with the law firm of Hillyard, Anderson and Olsen, P.C., where his practice focused primarily on civil matters
- He also held the role of an adjunct professor at Utah State University, teaching Mass Media Law and First Amendment rights
Education
- Law degree: J.D., cum laude, University of Houston Law Center (1996) Before joining the bench, Cannell was a managing shareholder at Hillyard, Anderson and Olsen, P.C.
- Undergraduate degree: Political Science, magna cum laude, Utah State University
Additional information
- He was retained in a 2016 judicial election with 86.64% of the vote.
- Appointed on August 30, 2013 and confirmed by the Utah State Senate on November 7, 2013.
- Appointed to the First District Court in August 2013 by Governor Gary R. Herbert.
- Judge Cannell presides over the First District Court, which covers Box Elder, Cache, and Rich counties in northern Utah.
- Judge Cannell has been active in the Utah Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division, held the role of president of the Cache County Bar Association, and led the Estate Planning Council of Northern Utah.
- received his law degree from the University of Houston Law Center, both with honors.
- focusing on civil matters.
- He has supported numerous nonprofits, including the Utah Festival Opera Company, Bridgerland Applied Technology College Foundation, Sunshine Terrace Foundation, Willow Park Zoo Foundation, and Logan Rotary Club.
- He also serves on the First District Court’s pro‐bono committee to expand access to legal services for indigent litigants.
Applicable Court Rules & Procedures
Electronic Media Coverage
Statewide
Utah permits electronic media coverage of public proceedings under statewide UCJA procedures, including proceedings conducted by remote transmission.
This rule governs electronic media coverage of proceedings that are open to the public, including proceedings conducted by remote transmission.UCJA Rule 4-401.01 Electronic media coverage of court proceedings ↗
Media Request Process
Statewide
Utah requires requests for electronic media coverage to be made through the court's public information office.
All requests to provide electronic media coverage shall be made to the court’s public information office.UCJA Rule 4-401.01 Electronic media coverage of court proceedings ↗
Portable Electronic Devices
Statewide
Utah permits possession and use of portable electronic devices in courthouses unless limited by UCJA Rule 4-401.02 or by directive of the judge.
A person may possess and use a portable electronic device anywhere in a courthouse, except as limited by this rule or directive of the judge.UCJA Rule 4-401.02 Possession and use of portable electronic devices ↗
Recording and broadcasting
Statewide
Utah prohibits recording, photographing, or transmitting images or sound of court proceedings with portable electronic devices unless allowed under the electronic-media rule or another stated exception.
A person may not use a portable electronic device to record, photograph, or transmit images or sound of court proceedings, except in accordance with rule 4-401.01 or subsection (2)(D) above.UCJA Rule 4-401.02 Possession and use of portable electronic devices ↗
Published courtroom rules
Shared court rules
UCJA Rule 4-401.01 Electronic media coverage of court proceedings
Utah First District Court
Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim. Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory.
Official source ↗ · Collected 2026-07-26UCJA Rule 4-401.02 Possession and use of portable electronic devices
Utah First District Court
Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim. Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory.
Official source ↗ · Collected 2026-07-26Sources
Identity source checked July 26, 2026.
Biography sources checked October 11, 2026.
Utah State Courts official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Utah State Courts official judicial roster ↗UCJA Rule 4-401.01 Electronic media coverage of court proceedings
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View UCJA Rule 4-401.01 Electronic media coverage of court proceedings ↗UCJA Rule 4-401.02 Possession and use of portable electronic devices
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View UCJA Rule 4-401.02 Possession and use of portable electronic devices ↗