Evelyn J. Furse at a glance
- Current role
- Magistrate
- Current assignment
- District Court, D. Utah
- Jurisdiction
- Utah · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Evelyn J. Furse
Magistrate · U.S. District Court for the District of Utah
Biography
Professional career
- After leaving the bench, Furse held the role of County Clerk for Summit County, Utah (2021–2026)
- U.S. Magistrate Judge for the U.S. District Court for the District of Utah, appointed in 2012 and serving until April 30, 2020
- Law clerk to Chief Justice Christine M. Durham, Utah Supreme Court
- Associate at Covington & Burling (Washington, D.C.)
- Partner at Howrey LLP in Utah
Education
- New York University School of Law, cum laude, in — J.D. (1996)
- (cum laude), University of North Carolina — B.A. (1993)
Additional information
- Magistrate, District Court, D. Utah, 2012-present
- She continued serving until her term ended in 2020.
- In summary: Evelyn J. Furse was a distinguished federal magistrate judge in Utah with a background in high‐level litigation and public service, whose tenure ended in 2020 due to a rare non‐reappointment decision.
- In October 2019, Utah’s district judges voted not to reappoint Furse, despite a merit panel’s recommendation to do so.
- Appointed to an 8‐year renewable term by the district’s judges on May 1, 2012, succeeding David Nuffer.
- Senior City Attorney for Salt Lake City Corporation (2006–2012)
- overseeing public services, election processes, and technology upgrades.
- This was the first time in Utah’s history a magistrate judge was not reappointed, and the reasons were not disclosed.
- Magistrate judges handle misdemeanor cases, preliminary criminal proceedings, settlement conferences, and other duties assigned by district judges.
- Not reappointed for a second term — an unprecedented decision for Utah — and served out the remainder of her term.
- handling complex civil litigation
- She also works as a writer and educator, training on pretrial decision‐making, e‐discovery, and diversity/inclusion topics.
- Public records show she handled a range of civil and criminal matters, including consent cases under 28 U.S.C.. 636(c), and applied strict jurisdictional standards in removal cases.
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
Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, December 1, 2025
U.S. District Court for the District of Utah
Civil actions in United States District Courts; Rule 81 exceptions apply. Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule.
Official source ↗ · Collected 2026-10-27Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, December 1, 2025
U.S. District Court for the District of Utah
Criminal proceedings in United States District Courts; this conservative mapping does not distribute appellate-specific provisions to appellate judges. Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule.
Official source ↗ · Collected 2026-10-27Sources
Identity source checked June 30, 2026.
Biography sources checked October 11, 2026.
U.S. District Court for the District of Utah current judicial profile
Identity source · HTML · Source checked August 2, 2026
View U.S. District Court for the District of Utah current judicial profile ↗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 ↗