--- title: "James Z. Davis | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/james-z-davis-8400" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # James Z. Davis Utah Court of Appeals · Judge ## Profile - Court: Utah Court of Appeals - State: Utah - Role: Judge - Service status: former - Last verified: 2026-06-30 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - Judge, Court of Appeals of Utah, 1993-present - 27, 2016) was an American judge on the Utah Court of Appeals, serving from 1993 until his retirement in 2015, and remembered for his sharp legal mind, work ethic, and humor - Partner at Thatcher, Glasmann & Davis (1977–1982) and a shareholder/director at Ray, Quinney & Nebeker (1982–1993) - He later held the role of Deputy Weber County Attorney and Weber County Police Legal Adviser (1973–1982) ### Education - University of Utah College of Law in — J.D. (1968) - S.J. Quinney College of Law ### Additional information - Davis died on February 27, 2016, in Salt Lake City at age 72. - President of the Utah State Bar (1991–1992) and served on the Utah Judicial Council. - From 1971 to 1977, Davis practiced law in Ogden, Utah. - Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1943, Davis obtained a B.S. in Political Science from the University of Utah and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. - Date of birth: 1943-12-16 - Colleagues and peers described him as a hardworking, well-prepared judge with a wry sense of humor and a “true people person”. - The Council of Chief Judges of the State Courts of Appeal called him “a great judge and friend... leaving a legacy of true and lasting friendships”. - Survived by his son James Z. Davis III, daughter-in-law Chrystal, and grandchildren. - Appointed to the Utah Court of Appeals by Gov. - His legal focus included commercial real estate, bankruptcy, and banking. - Before his legal career, he served two years in the U.S. Army military intelligence, including a tour as a combat intelligence analyst in Vietnam. - Birth place: Salt Lake City ## 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.courtlistener.com/person/8400/james-z-davis/) - [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8400/james-z-davis/) - [Utah Court of Appeals current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8400/james-z-davis/) - [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) - [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8400/james-z-davis/) - [UTAH COURTS MOURN PASSING OF JUDGE JAMES DAVIS Long-time Court of Appeals Judge – Utah Courts Recent Press Notifications](https://legacy.utcourts.gov/utc/news/2016/02/29/utah-courts-mourn-passing-of-judge-james-davis-long-time-court-of-appeals-judge) - [James Davis (Utah) - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/James_Davis_(Utah)) - [Wikidata: James Z. Davis](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6145984) - [Utah Courts mourn passing of Judge James Davis](https://legacy.utcourts.gov/utc/news/2016/02/29/utah-courts-mourn-passing-of-judge-james-davis-long-time-court-of-appeals-judge/) - [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/8400/james-z-davis/) - [UTAH COURTS MOURN PASSING OF JUDGE JAMES DAVIS Long-time Court of Appeals Judge – Utah Courts Recent Press Notifications](https://legacy.utcourts.gov/utc/news/2016/02/29/utah-courts-mourn-passing-of-judge-james-davis-long-time-court-of-appeals-judge) - [James Davis (Utah) - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/James_Davis_(Utah)) - [Wikidata: James Z. Davis](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6145984) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/james-z-davis-8400", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/james-z-davis-8400", "name": "James Z. 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