Francis Lawyers

Philip Dracht is a shareholder in Fabian. He is a trial lawyer in the litigation and employment departments. Phil focuses on complex litigation and class actions, with experience in product liability and consumer litigation, intellectual property (copyright, trademark, and trade secrets) disputes, real estate disputes, and business litigation. Phil also litigates contractual disputes, business disputes, unfair competition claims, and trade libel claims.

Stephen Christiansen tries jury and bench trials and litigates appeals in the state and federal courts. No subject matter is off limits. He represents companies and individuals as plaintiffs and defendants in securities, contracts, intellectual property, real estate, personal injury, property damage, eminent domain, commercial, corporate, LLC, partnership, products liability, insurance, criminal defense, negligent and intentional torts, energy, tax, employment, bankruptcy, and any other matter tried in the courts. He is recognized as one of the top lawyers in Utah and the Mountain States.

Jeffery Balls is a member of the firm’s litigation team with a particular emphasis on helping clients with title, real property and construction law matters. Mr. Balls received dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Political Science and Economics, magna cum laude, from Utah State University in 2006. He attended the University of Utah’s S.J. Quinney College of Law, where he was Articles Editor of the Utah Law Review, a William H. Leary Scholar, and graduated with his Juris Doctor, Order of the Coif in May of 2009.

Before joining Parr Brown, Mr. Balls served as a law clerk internship...

Laura G. Kennedy is a trial lawyer specializing in commercial disputes and insurance coverage. She has broad experience representing both companies and individuals in a variety of complex litigation matters in federal and state courts, arbitration, and mediation.

Ms. Kennedy has assisted numerous large corporations, small businesses, and individuals with insurance coverage and recovery and compensation from insurance companies in a variety of disputes, including those involving claims of construction defects, mismanagement, property damage, fraud, negligence, other torts, and contract disputes. She has extensive experience with Commercial General Liability (“CGL”), Employment Liability (“EPL”), Directors and Officers Liability (“D&O”), Professional...

Gregory Hess concentrates his practice on intellectual property law, including intellectual property identification and protection, licensing and transfer, and dispute resolution. He regularly assists clients with trademark evaluation, selection and registration and copyright-related matters. He also regularly assists clients with a wide variety of intellectual property agreements, including license agreements, technology agreements, Internet agreements, OEM, distribution and reseller agreements, confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements, manufacturer and supply agreements, and transfer agreements, and other agreements.

Mr. Hess has extensive experience in copyright and trademark infringement litigation and settlement, having handled and successfully resolved many such disputes in courts across the nation and in...

Bryan Johansen is a Shareholder in the firm’s litigation group. Mr. Johansen specializes in complex commercial litigation with particular emphasis in the areas of construction, insurance coverage, and breach of contract litigation.

Mr. Johansen strives to provide practical and cost effective solutions to difficult problems. He has settled and tried dozens of cases to successful resolution for oil and gas, construction, direct sales, hospitality, transportation, finance, and healthcare industries. His experience includes claims for construction defect and delay for owners and contractors, toxic tort defense, road disputes (public rights of way, prescriptive easements, adverse possession), non-competition agreements, tortious interference, and HIPAA...

Seth King is a member of the Firm’s corporate and securities group, working primarily in the areas of securities, mergers and acquisitions, commercial finance and general corporate and business law. Mr. King received his law degree in 2000, graduating magna cum laude from Brigham Young University’s J. Reuben Clark Law School, as a member of the Order of the Coif. He also received a Bachelor’s degree in Finance, cum laude, from Utah State University in 1997.

Mr. King was named one of the top corporate/mergers and acquisitions lawyers in Utah in the 2007-2019 editions of Chambers USA – America’s...

Nathanael Paynter is a member of the firm’s Corporate group, focusing on business formation, mergers and acquisitions, securities as well as media and First Amendment Law.

Mr. Paynter received his J.D. from The University of Chicago Law School in 2012 where he was a Joseph E. Green Scholar and served as Executive Editor for The University of Chicago Legal Forum. He was a recipient of the Sidley Austin Prize–Excellence in Brief Writing in the Bigelow Moot Court Competition and the Henry Beale Prize–Most Outstanding Written Work in Legal-writing section. While in law school, Mr. Paynter worked as legal intern with...

Lamont Richardson, a member of the firm’s business and finance group. He specializes his practice in the areas of commercial finance and real estate.

Mr. Richardson has been continually recognized by Utah Business magazine as one of Utah’s Legal Elite for his work in real estate. He has also been continuously named one of the top real estate lawyers in Utah by Chambers’ America’s Leading Business Lawyers and by Mountain States Super Lawyers.

Prior to joining Parr Brown, Mr. Richardson was an associate with Cadwalader Wickersham & Taft in North Carolina for four years. In 1998, he earned a B.A....

Known for his laconic wit and irrepressible spirit for adventure, identity theft protection and credit attorney Eric Stephenson rarely turns down a challenge. Whether arguing a difficult motion to a difficult judge, negotiating with an unreasonable opposing counsel, or pushing harder to improve his lap times on the racetrack, Mr. Stephenson always fearlessly embraces the task at hand with enthusiasm and diligence. With well over a decade of experience as a consumer litigation attorney, Eric Stephenson has represented numerous consumers against deceptive and unscrupulous debt collectors, telemarketers, car dealers, credit reporting agencies, insurance companies, and construction contractors. “Collection...

Brant Christiansen (JD, LLM, MBA) is a partner in the LEWIS HANSEN law firm in Salt Lake City, Utah. His practice focuses on estate planning, probate, trust and estate administration, tax planning, small business organization, contract drafting, and elder law issues, including guardianship matters. Brant also offers gift and estate tax return preparation. Brant’s strength as a practitioner is his ability to identify his clients’ needs and forge a practicable solution. He has successfully helped a wide range of clients, from those with moderate estates to high-wealth individuals, create sensible and tax-advantageous estate plans. Brant helps clients navigate the...

Scott advises companies and individuals regarding business transactions and personal planning. Representative transactions include formation and operation of various business entities, private placement memorandums for fundraising, exempt securities, public company reporting and compliance, formation and qualification of charitable organizations, real estate transactions, asset protection strategies for individuals and businesses, wills, trusts and death tax planning, and settling and administering estates and trusts. Scott has represented natural resource companies, construction companies, multi-level marketing companies, small and large private estates, publicly supported charities with foreign operations, and clients with substantial offshore assets.

GRADUATED WITH HONORS FROM UNIVERSITY OF SAN DIEGO COLLEGE OF LAW RATED TOP BANKRUPTCY ADVOCATE NATIONALLY CHAIRMAN, ROCKY MOUNTAIN BANKRUPTCY PROFESSIONALS

I founded The Lebrecht Group, APLC in February 2001. Currently, I assist various clients primarily in the areas of corporate finance and mergers and acquisitions, including private placements, public and private offerings, Securities and Exchange Commission and Blue Sky compliance and reporting requirements, asset and stock purchases, and general corporate practice.

John W. Mann practices business and commercial law focused primarily on the needs of the construction industry. John has significant litigation and transactional experience and is uniquely qualified to advise businesses on a wide range of matters before and after disputes arise.

Steven L. Rinehart is a registered Utah patent attorney who prepares patents and trademarks. He obtained his J.D. from the University of Utah, and studied Computer Science, Naval Science and English as an undergraduate at BYU. Steve regularly files patents on improved mechanical devices. Steve is the founder of www.theopticon.com, a free legal file exchange for attorneys and non-attorneys.

Attorney Brad Carr practices primarily represents landlords and family law clients. He is the founding partner of Carr | Woodall. He has handled thousands of eviction landlord matters and hundreds of divorces. Mr. Carr has four children of his own. He fights hard for his clients because he knows exactly what they have on the line.

In his free time, you can find Mr. Carr doing just about anything as long as it is outside. He water skis, snow skis, snowboards, races motorcycles, hikes, camps, plays tennis, plays pickle-ball, and the list goes on. He and his wife often joke that...

Deborah works with clients to craft estate plans to carry out their succession goals, while also protecting them in the event they lose capacity. She guides individuals through the probate and trust administration process. She is ready to assist in all disputes that arise in the context of estates and probate.   She is also an experienced appellate attorney.

Deborah graduated from the University of Utah College of Law in 2011, Order of the Coif.  She then served a clerkship for the Honorable Carolyn B. McHugh at the Utah Court of Appeals.  Before entering private practice, Deborah was an assistant attorney general in the...

Using Trusts (including Asset Protection Trusts), LLCs, and other legal tools I help people protect their assets from lawsuits, eliminate estate and capital gains taxes, avoid probate, and prevent family feuds that often arise when planning documents are not clear, concise, and thorough. Then, I help them identify the legacy they want to leave to their family and their community. My practice focuses exclusively on the following four areas: estate planning, asset-protection planning, business-succession planning, and elder law.

Anita has over 6 years of Criminal Law experience and has handled a variety of Felony and Misdemeanor cases. While at the DA's office she prosecuted hundreds of Felony and Misdemeanor DUIs while working on a Specialty Felony DUI Unit. She is now putting her experience an skills to work defending and protecting the rights and liberties of her clients. Anita started her own practice in 2013. utahdefensecounsel.com

Ben’s focus is on developing quality relationships with clients and providing them with dedicated and personalized service. Ben graduated cum laude from the S. J. Quinney College of Law, where he was a Leary Scholar. He received the top grade in his Lawyering Skills and Law & Literature courses and placed second in a regional ABA Negotiation Competition. He completed an internship with the Third District Office of the Guardian ad Litem, where he worked to represent the best interests of abused and neglected children in juvenile court. Prior to law school, Ben earned a dual Bachelor’s in...

Zach is a zealous trial attorney. He wins trials and negotiates favorable settlements for his clients. His training, creativity, and sense of justice make him the perfect person to vindicate your rights.

Zach loves helping people who are down on their luck. Zach served as the President of the non-profit organization Emerging Legal Leaders (“ELL”), which raised funds for non-profit legal services. Prior to law school, Zach assisted refugee immigrants adjust to their new lives in the United States as a case manager at the Refugee and Immigrant Center at the Asian Association of Utah.

His academic accomplishments include serving as the...

I dedicate my practice to all areas of family law. I enjoy meeting, counseling, and advocating for my clients. Family law is tough, but I find great satisfaction in helping a client get through difficult or complex circumstances so they can move forward in life. Specifically, I assist clients in the following areas: Divorce, Separation, Annulment, Paternity, Adoption, Enforcement Actions, Modification, Protective Orders, Premarital Agreements, Guardianships, and Name Changes. I understand that no one really wants to hire an attorney. But individuals involved in family law matters need good legal advice and always...

Nonie Ferguson is a Partner at Just Law, LLC. She has been a practicing attorney since graduating from Nova Southeastern Shepard Broad Law Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida in 2012. Currently, she practices almost exclusively in Family Law, but she has a vast amount of experience in Criminal Law and she does take on Criminal Law cases. While in Florida, Nonie practiced in the area of Criminal Law as an Assistant Public Defender. As a criminal defense attorney Nonie worked in the felony criminal trial division representing accused first, second, and third degree felony offenders and juvenile delinquents. Nonie has...

Paul is a Utah attorney and licensed CPA practicing in the areas of Tax, Business, Estate Planning, Wills, Trust, Probate, and Real Estate. Paul has experience in a wide array of transactions.

Over 30 years experience in Estate Planning, Business Law and Company Formation, Asset Protection, Elder Law, Real Estate and Tax Planning. Former Managing Partner at large Salt Lake City law firm. Rated AV, the highest rating from Martindale-Hubbell the pre-eminent lawyer ratings service. Featured in Top 100 Utah Lawyers, Utah Business Magazine. Law Practice with significant management experience in law, business and real estate. Complex and simple estate planning, company formation, large and small business ventures and transactions, real estate transactions,1031 exchange transactions, business advising, and asset protection. Frequent speaker at conferences on business, trust, estate planning and tax planning...

A native of Las Vegas, Brittni graduated from the University of Arizona,magna cum laude, with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. Brittni then returned to Las Vegas and attended law school at UNLV where she was involved in moot court competitions and externed for the Nevada Supreme Court. Following law school Brittni clerked for the Honorable Ronald Israel in the Eighth Judicial District Court of Nevada and later practiced civil litigation. Presently, Brittni practices in the areas of estate planning, trust administration, probate, and guardianship, general business matters and civil litigation. Outside of the office, Brittni enjoys spending time with her...

Quinn is one of the founding members of Morris Sperry and heads up the Morris Sperry collections team. Quinn brings tremendous depth in community association cases involving bankruptcy, including collection matters where owners file for bankruptcy relief. He is responsible for the oversight of the collection practice at Morris Sperry and has entered appearances in over 200 bankruptcy cases. He is unmatched in his experience and ability to navigate the special rules and procedures applicable to collection matters involving bankruptcy cases. Quinn's practice also includes all aspects of community association law including document rewrites, litigation, and governance issues.

John Morris is one of Utah’s foremost attorneys in the field of community association law. His practice includes all aspects of community association law, including governing document drafting and rewrites, governance issues, complex litigation, governing document enforcement, new association development and turnover, disputes between owners and associations, and construction defect related disputes.

I was a prosecutor for 27 years and now practicing criminal defense. I have experienced working on thousands of cases through the years from traffic tickets, to murder and everything in between. I will work hard on your case to get you the results you will be happy with. To start the process let's visit about your case and work on getting your life back on track again. My fees are reasonable priced and will work to help you with any problems and concerns you have. Call soon so we can get your case in court and...

A former federal prosecutor now representing businesses and individuals across a range of practice areas, Matthew R. Howell began his career as an Assistant United States Attorney for the U.S. government in Salt Lake City, Utah, prosecuting crimes against federally insured financial institutions and crimes committed on Indian reservations and federal lands. After four years, Matt joined David K. Isom Law Offices, where he focused on coal contract litigation and arbitration and other complex commercial litigation, including qui tam (whistleblower) claims and class action lawsuits. Since joining Fillmore Spencer LLC in 2005, Matt has worked on cases large and...

Mr. Johnstun is the personal founder of Johnstun Law. His legal practice focuses on business transactions, corporate law, and startup businesses. He has a depth of experience in guiding complex transactions and litigation to a successful resolution. Representative legal matters involve business transactions and litigation opposite of Utah’s best law firms. Read more about Johnstun Law’s story.

Outside the office, Aaron enjoys biking, golf, Kansas basketball, hunting in the Rocky Mountains, catching a good baetis hatch, reading books on startups and marketing, and mauling his kids, and Pudelpointers.

Core Practice Areas:
Business Formations and Startups
Business Transactions
Commercial Contracts
Corporate Governance
Trademarks/Copyrights
Complex Business Litigation
Securities Fraud
Finance/Banking
Employment Matters
Healthcare Compliance
Administrative...