---
title: "Thomas L. Kay | KnowJudges"
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# Thomas L. Kay

Utah Active Senior Judges · Senior Judge

## Profile

- Court: Utah Active Senior Judges
- State: Utah
- Role: Senior Judge
- Service status: senior
- Last verified: 2026-07-26

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Biography

### Professional career

- Active senior judge of the Utah Second Judicial District, serving as Associate Presiding Judge for Davis, Morgan, and Weber counties since 1998
- In summary: Judge Thomas L. Kay is a seasoned Utah judge with over two decades of service on the Second District Court, a strong background in civil trial and litigation law, and active involvement in judicial and professional organizations

### Education

- Brigham Young University in, where he held the role of Note and Comment Editor of the BYU Law Review — J.D. (1979)

### Additional information

- His term was set to expire January 3, 2021, but he continues in his role as a senior judge.
- He serves as Associate Presiding Judge for the district and has been retained in his position, most recently through a 2014 retention election in which he received 76.1% of the vote.
- Appointed to the Second District Court in June 1998 by then-Governor Michael O. Leavitt.
- Appointed to the Second District Court in June 1998 by Gov.
- Born February 17, 1952 in Clearfield, Utah, Kay holds a B.A. from the University of Utah (magna cum laude, 1976) and is a member of Phi Beta Kappa and Phi Kappa Phi.
- Michael O. Leavitt where he served Davis, Morgan, and Weber counties.
- He completed a 11⁄2-year clerkship with U.S. District Judge David K. Winder before entering private practice.
- Service on the Utah Supreme Court Advisory Committee on Evidence, Jury Improvement Committee, Alternative Sentencing Committee, and the Board of District Court Judges
- His legal career included work at Ray, Quinney & Nebeker and Snell & Wilmer, specializing in professional liability and products liability litigation.
- He is admitted to the bars of Utah and the United States.
- Participation in the Litigation Sections of the American Bar Association and its Professional Liability Litigation Committee
- He is also a frequent speaker for youth and school groups.
- Master of the Bench for the Rex E. Lee American Inn of Court

## 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/senior-Judges/district-court-senior-judges/thomas-l-kay.html)
- [Official roster](https://www.utcourts.gov/en/courts/other-court-info/judges-bios/senior-Judges/district-court-senior-judges/thomas-l-kay.html)
- [Utah State Courts official judicial roster](https://www.utcourts.gov/en/courts/other-court-info/judges-bios/senior-Judges/district-court-senior-judges/thomas-l-kay.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 THOMAS L.KAY](https://www.utcourts.gov/en/courts/other-court-info/judges-bios/senior-Judges/district-court-senior-judges/thomas-l-kay.html)

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