Michael K. Davis at a glance
- Current role
- Former Judge
- Current assignment
- Wyoming Supreme Court
- Jurisdiction
- Wyoming · State
- Judicial service
- Former
Michael K. Davis
Former Judge · Wyoming Supreme Court
Biography
Professional career
- Judge, Wyoming Supreme Court, 2012-present
- Wyoming Supreme Court from October 15, 2012 to January 15, 2022, and as chief justice from July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2021
- Wyoming Supreme Court Justice (2012–2022): Appointed by Governor Matt Mead on August 30, 2012, to succeed Michael Golden, Davis served until his retirement on January 16, 2022
- Chief Justice (2018–2021): Elected by his colleagues in 2018, he led the court’s administrative operations, chaired the Board of Judicial Policy and Administration, and oversaw the Judicial Nominating Commission
- District Judge: Served on Wyoming’s First Judicial District Court in Cheyenne from 2008 to 2012
- Earlier he was a First Judicial District judge in Laramie County from April 1, 2008 to October 14, 2012
- Private Practice: Partner at Yonkee & Toner in Sheridan (1980–2006) and Cheyenne (2006–2008)
- Associate and partner at Yonkee and Toner from September 15, 1980 to March 31, 2008 and an intern and paralegal in the Cheyenne US Attorney’s Office in 1978–1979
- In summary: Michael K. Davis is a distinguished Wyoming jurist whose career spans nearly three decades in private practice, judicial service at the state’s highest court, and leadership in the judicial branch, now dedicated to mediation and legal education
- He now works as a mediator at Hathaway & Kunz
Education
- a JD with honor, ranked first of 62, from the University of Wyoming College of Law in 1980.
- He obtained a BA summa cum laude from Western State College of Colorado in 1977
Additional information
- Larry L. Lehman Award for Judicial Excellence (2021): Honored for scholarly contributions to Wyoming jurisprudence and leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Practitioner, 2011-2011
- He served in the US Army in 1973–1975, leaving at SP5/E5.
- handling complex civil litigation including medical malpractice, personal injury, government liability, employment disputes, and civil rights claims.
- Mediator: Since retirement, Davis has held a position as a mediator, leveraging his decades of litigation and appellate experience to help parties reach fair, practical resolutions.
- His civil trial practice covered medical malpractice, personal injury, government liability, employment disputes and civil rights claims.
- His firm biography describes more than 200 majority opinions, membership in the American Board of Trial Advocates, and emeritus fellowship in the American College of Trial Lawyers.
- Professional Roles: Emeritus Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers; member of the American Board of Trial Advocates; served on the Wyoming Board of Professional Responsibility.
Applicable Court Rules & Procedures
Cameras And Communication Devices
Courtwide
Wyoming Supreme Court Rule 5 restricts recording and wireless device use during its proceedings. Counsel may use muted internet-capable laptops at counsel table unless otherwise ordered; other wireless devices require express permission.
Use of Cameras: Communication Devices (Rule 5. of Rules of Sup. Court).Use of Cameras: Communication Devices, Rule 5 of the Rules of the Supreme Court ↗
Sources
Identity source checked August 22, 2026.
Biography sources checked October 11, 2026.
Use of Cameras: Communication Devices, Rule 5 of the Rules of the Supreme Court
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 29, 2026
View Use of Cameras: Communication Devices, Rule 5 of the Rules of the Supreme Court ↗Use of Cameras: Communication Devices, Rule 5 of the Rules of the Supreme Court
Identity source · HTML · Source checked July 29, 2026
View Use of Cameras: Communication Devices, Rule 5 of the Rules of the Supreme Court ↗Michael K. Davis biography (secondary, citing Wyoming sources)
Identity source · HTML · Source checked August 8, 2026
View Michael K. Davis biography (secondary, citing Wyoming sources) ↗Rules of the Supreme Court of Wyoming, Rule 5
Identity source · PDF · Source checked October 3, 2026
View Rules of the Supreme Court of Wyoming, Rule 5 ↗