SALT LAKE CITY — Utah Gov. Spencer Cox announced Tuesday the appointments of Jay T. Jorgensen and Stephen P. Dent to the state’s Supreme Court, filling two newly created seats on the expanding bench.
The dual appointments follow state legislation passed earlier this year that officially expands the Utah Supreme Court from five to seven justices. The historic expansion was initiated as part of the state’s ongoing efforts to support the judicial system and ensure the court can continue providing careful, timely reviews of cases that carry statewide importance.
Both Jorgensen and Dent were selected following an extensive and rigorous review process conducted by the Appellate Court Nominating Commission. Under the Utah Constitution, both judicial appointments remain subject to the advice and consent of the Utah Senate.
Cox praised Jorgensen as “one of Utah’s brightest legal minds,” highlighting his rural Utah roots and his vast experience at the highest levels of the legal and corporate business worlds.
Jorgensen currently serves as senior counsel in the Office of General Counsel for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His extensive legal and corporate background includes:
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Serving as general counsel, chief compliance officer, and corporate secretary for Coupang, Inc.
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Acting as executive vice president and global chief ethics and compliance officer for Walmart.
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Working as a partner at the international law firm Sidley Austin LLP.
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Completing prestigious clerkships for Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist on the U.S. Supreme Court and Judge Samuel A. Alito Jr. on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.
“I am honored to be appointed to serve on the Utah Supreme Court,” Jorgensen said. “I pledge that, if confirmed to this post, I will dedicate myself every day to upholding the high ideals in our state’s constitution and laws.”
When discussing Dent, the governor emphasized the appointee’s deep commitment to public service. “Stephen Dent has the discipline, legal ability and character we need on the bench,” Cox said, adding that he is confident Dent will bring fairness, integrity, and sound judgment to the state’s highest court.
Dent currently serves as the deputy criminal chief and Southern Utah branch chief in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah. His professional background includes:
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Practicing law at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP.
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Clerking for Judge Robert J. Shelby of the U.S. District Court for the District of Utah.
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Clerking for Judge Scott M. Matheson Jr. of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit.
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Graduating first in his class from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, where he additionally served as editor-in-chief of the Utah Law Review.
“I am humbled and honored to be appointed to the Utah Supreme Court,” Dent said. “If confirmed, I pledge to faithfully and impartially discharge my duties as a fair and neutral judge. I love the State of Utah and would consider it the honor of a lifetime to serve on the Court.”
Moving forward, the Senate Judicial Confirmation Committee is tasked with reviewing each appointee’s professional record. The committee will consider public comments and hold formal confirmation hearings prior to final consideration by the full Utah Senate.