---
title: "Lance L. Talakai | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/lance-l-talakai-ut"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-07"
---

# Lance L. Talakai

Utah Third District Juvenile Court · Juvenile Court Judge

## Profile

- Court: Utah Third District Juvenile Court
- State: Utah
- Role: Juvenile Court Judge
- Service status: unknown
- Appointment: Appointed on August 11, 2026. [Utah Third District Juvenile Court](https://knowjudges.com/kyj/court/ut/utah-third-district-juvenile-court)

## Summary

Lance L. Talakai — Utah Third District Juvenile Court

## Biography

### Professional career

- Earlier in his career, he worked with the Utah County Public Defender and held the role of a law clerk for Utah’s Fourth District Court

### Education

- Brigham Young University J. Reuben Clark Law School — J.D.
- Bachelor’s degree in sociology — University of Hawaii at Manoa

### Additional information

- Defense attorney with Salt Lake Legal Defender Association since 2012; prior Fourth District Court law clerk and Utah County Public Defender work.
- Appointed in 2026 to the Third District Juvenile Court vacancy created by David L. Johnson’s retirement.
- Before becoming a judge, Talakai spent 14 years as a defense attorney with the Salt Lake Legal Defender Association (2012–2026)
- representing clients in felony, misdemeanor, and serious youth offender cases.
- Confirmation: Subject to confirmation by the Utah Senate
- He also served in leadership roles such as felony team lead and co-misdemeanor chief, and was responsible for recruiting, training, and supervising new attorneys.
- Talakai is of Tongan heritage, and his appointment is notable because the Third District includes Salt Lake County, which has the largest Tongan population in the U.S..
- He has expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve the community where he grew up, pledging to approach his role with compassion, fairness, integrity, and humility, ensuring that young people and families are treated with dignity and respect.

## Sources

- [Nominees announced for Third District Juvenile Court vacancy](https://governor.utah.gov/press/news-release-nominees-announced-for-third-district-juvenile-court-vacancy/)
- [Gov. Cox appoints Lance Talakai to Third District Juvenile Court](https://governor.utah.gov/uncategorized/gov-cox-appoints-lance-talakai-to-third-district-juvenile-court/)
- [13th Extraordinary Session 2026 Senate Journal](https://le.utah.gov/Session/ExtraordinarySessions/13thEXSESS26journal.pdf)
- [Third District Juvenile Court Judges](https://www.utcourts.gov/en/courts/other-court-info/judges-bios/juvenile-courts/third-district-juvenile-court.html)

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