--- title: "David N. Mortensen | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/david-n-mortensen-associate-presiding-judge-court-of-appeals-judge-utah-court-of-appeals-ut" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-02" --- # David N. Mortensen Utah Court of Appeals · Associate Presiding Judge, Court of Appeals Judge ## Profile - Court: Utah Court of Appeals - State: Utah - Role: Associate Presiding Judge, Court of Appeals Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-26 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## 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. ## Before you appear - Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed. - Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance. - Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding. ## Courtroom Rules ### electronic media coverage Scope: statewide Utah permits electronic media coverage of public proceedings under statewide UCJA procedures, including proceedings conducted by remote transmission. Evidence excerpt: 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](https://legacy.utcourts.gov/rules/view.php?type=ucja&rule=4-401.01) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### media request process Scope: statewide Utah requires requests for electronic media coverage to be made through the court's public information office. Evidence excerpt: 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](https://legacy.utcourts.gov/rules/view.php?type=ucja&rule=4-401.01) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### portable electronic devices Scope: 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. Evidence excerpt: 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](https://legacy.utcourts.gov/rules/view.php?type=ucja&rule=4-401.02) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### recording photography transmission Scope: 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. Evidence excerpt: 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](https://legacy.utcourts.gov/rules/view.php?type=ucja&rule=4-401.02) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ## Sources - [Official profile](https://www.utcourts.gov/en/courts/other-court-info/judges-bios/appellate-courts/court-of-appeals/david-n-mortensen.html) - [Official roster](https://www.utcourts.gov/en/courts/other-court-info/judges-bios/appellate-courts/court-of-appeals/david-n-mortensen.html) - [Utah State Courts official judicial roster](https://www.utcourts.gov/en/courts/other-court-info/judges-bios/appellate-courts/court-of-appeals/david-n-mortensen.html) - [UCJA Rule 4-401.01 Electronic media coverage of court proceedings](https://legacy.utcourts.gov/rules/view.php?type=ucja&rule=4-401.01) - [UCJA Rule 4-401.02 Possession and use of portable electronic devices](https://legacy.utcourts.gov/rules/view.php?type=ucja&rule=4-401.02) - [JUDGE DAVID N. MORTENSEN](https://www.utcourts.gov/en/courts/other-court-info/judges-bios/judicial-council/david-n-mortensen.html) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/david-n-mortensen-associate-presiding-judge-court-of-appeals-judge-utah-court-of-appeals-ut", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/david-n-mortensen-associate-presiding-judge-court-of-appeals-judge-utah-court-of-appeals-ut", "name": "David N. Mortensen | KnowJudges", "description": "David N. Mortensen, Utah Court of Appeals. 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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](https://legacy.utcourts.gov/rules/view.php?type=ucja&rule=4-401.02). Collected 2026-07-26.