David N. Mortensen at a glance
- Current role
- Associate Presiding Judge, Court of Appeals Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Utah · State
- Judicial service
- Active
David N. Mortensen
Associate Presiding Judge, Court of Appeals Judge · Utah Court of Appeals
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Biography
Professional career
- The Associate Presiding Judge of the Utah Court of Appeals, appointed in May 2016 by Governor Gary R. Herbert
- In summary, Judge Mortensen is a seasoned Utah jurist with over two decades of legal experience, combining trial advocacy, appellate service, and judicial leadership roles, recognized for his dedication to the rule of law and fair adjudication
- He has taught as an adjunct professor at BYU’s J. Reuben Clark Law School
Education
- J. Reuben Clark Law School, Brigham Young University — J.D. (1993)
- Brigham Young University — B.A. (1990)
Additional information
- Appointed to the Utah Court of Appeals in May 2016 by Gov.
- In 2016, he received the Distinguished Service Award from the Government and Politics Legal Society of the J. Reuben Clark Law School.
- Earlier appointment: Named to the Fourth District Court in 2006 by Governor Jon M. Huntsman Jr..
- Before joining the judiciary, Mortensen practiced law in Utah
- focusing on trial work.
- Fourth District Court: Served nearly a decade as a trial judge, including multiple terms as presiding and associate presiding judge.
- Pre-judicial career: held a position as a trial attorney in Utah, including with the Provo City Attorney’s Office and in private practice.
- His judicial service includes roles on the Utah Judicial Council, the Board of District Court Judges, and the Judicial Conduct Commission.
- Mortensen serves as Associate Presiding Judge on the Utah Court of Appeals and is a member of the Utah Judicial Council.
- He also chairs the Court Facilities Planning Committee, serves on the Utah State Court’s Technology Committee, and is a member of the Judicial Conduct Commission.
- Member of the A. Sherman Christensen Inn of Court and Fellow of the American Bar Foundation.
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 Court of Appeals
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 Court of Appeals
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 ↗