Magna Lawyers

Keith Backman received a B.A. Degree in English in 1990 then decided to continue his education and received a J.D. Law Degree in 1993 from the J. Reuben Clark Law School at BYU. After graduating law school, Keith started his career as an attorney with Helgesen, Houtz & Jones. He is now a partner in the law firm. His practice is focused on Business Law, Contracts, Family Law, Real Estate Law, Estate Planning and General Counsel Services. He has represented clients in almost every court along the Wasatch Front and has appeared in the Utah Court of Appeals and the Utah...

As a long-time partner in the firm’s commercial litigation group, Matt helps clients in a range of industries navigate and resolve often complex disputes. He specializes in prosecuting and defending breaches of contract in state and federal courts, and has tried and argued cases at every level of the trial and appellate system. Many of Matt’s clients work in the construction industry and turn to him for help pursuing and securing payment, clearing title to real property, and solving boundary problems. Matt also represents commercial landlords when leases run into trouble. He has experience in a variety of other business...

Royce Covington handles litigation matters of all types before federal and state courts. He has extensive experience in disputes involving contracts, title insurance liability, commercial landlord / tenant matters, easements, fraud, deed warranties, mechanic’s liens, boundary disputes, adverse possession, lien priority, water and mineral rights, public roads and access rights.

Mr. Covington is a member of the American Bar Association’s Title Insurance Litigation Committee and has presented before the Utah Land Title Association.

Mr. Covington received a B.S. magna cum laude in Economics from Utah State University and a J.D. from the University of Oregon, Order of the Coif, where he was...

Lonn is a Utah native who became a lawyer when he realized that well-meaning, well-trained lawyers could be forces for good in the world. Lonn earned his B.S. from the University of Utah in geography with a minor in mathematics. He earned his law degree (cum laude) from Brigham Young University in 1997. Lonn then earned a master of laws degree (with merit) from the London School of Economics and Political Science in international business law. Lonn has had many opportunities to help clients with situations that are unusual and complex—including bankruptcy disputes, brain injuries, breach of contract, business relationship liability, business...

I offer personalized service in the areas of family law, divorce, custody, disability, worker's compensation, personal injury and estate planning. I graduated from Brigham Young University Law School in 1996 with a J.D. and hold an MBA from the University of Utah.

Patricia Christensen has focused her practice, for more than 40 years, in the area of complex commercial litigation, and has particular experience and expertise in handling product liability and toxic tort defense litigation, arbitration, mediation and counseling.

She has substantial experience representing product manufacturers in the pharmaceutical, medical product, building product, automotive, banking, chemical, industrial equipment, industrial fluid, oil and gas, recreational equipment and household appliance industries. She has also served as an arbitrator for the Private Adjudication Center at Duke University, resolving product liability claims against trust funds established by the United States Bankruptcy Courts.

In addition, Ms. Christensen has...

With 20 years of tax and transaction planning for corporations, limited liability companies, partnerships and individuals, Mr. Rock advises new and established business on tax matters as well as corporate governance operations and transactions, new business formations, mergers and acquisitions, transfers, employment matters, contracts, joint ventures and real estate transactions.

Jeffrey D. Eisenberg, founding partner of Eisenberg, Gilchrist & Cutt, is a 1983 graduate of the University of Michigan Law School. Mr. Eisenberg has obtained seven figure recoveries for injured plaintiffs in more than two dozen cases, including jury verdicts of sixteen and seven million dollars. After spending nine years practicing at one of Salt Lake City’s largest law firms, Mr. Eisenberg has spent the last sixteen years representing injury victims and their families in large and complex personal injury, malpractice, insurance bad faith and other tort cases. Mr. Eisenberg also occasionally accepts commercial injury cases on behalf of businesses...

Michael Hoppe specializes in assisting clients in complex business and commercial litigation matters. He has broad experience representing clients in a wide range of complex litigation matters, including contract, construction, and other general business disputes. He has particular expertise in construction litigation, representing both large general contractors and owners in a variety of matters in several states involving defending or pursuing claims for construction defect, delay, acceleration, disruption, mechanics liens, and other construction-related claims.

Mr. Hoppe has substantial experience representing both companies and individuals in a variety of complex litigation matters. He has experience in state and federal...

Craig Parry is a partner whose diverse litigation practice includes an emphasis in technology, intellectual property (including patent, trademark and copyright infringement), unfair competition and trade secret cases and other complex litigation. For his clients, he is a highly effective litigation strategist and an effective and financially responsible problem solver. He assists regional, national, and international clients in developing, obtaining, utilizing and protecting their intellectual property assets by negotiating and drafting licensing, distribution, joint venture, purchase and other agreements.

Mr. Parry’s practice also emphasizes cross-border transactions. Respected by clients, some of whom he has represented more than 25 years, Mr....

Jim Wright practices in the areas of real estate, land use and zoning, eminent domain, and construction law. He earned his J.D. from Harvard Law School in 2005, and he received a B.A. degree, cum laude, from Brigham Young University in 2002.

Prior to joining Parr Brown, Mr. Wright practiced with the Office of the Property Rights Ombudsman. He has extensive experience in mediating eminent domain and unconstitutional takings claims. Mr. Wright is also well versed in advising private property owners and governments on applicable property rights laws.

Mike’s practice involves complex commercial disputes regarding intellectual property, insurance, securities, and constitutional, international, and comparative law. As a result of his unique background, he also has developed an expertise specific to media and entertainment law. He has experience at all levels of litigation from trial court to final appeal and especially enjoys helping innovative startups find creative solutions to practical and legal dilemmas.

With Parr Brown’s Media and First Amendment group, Mike helps businesses and individuals with a variety of privacy, defamation, and public-access issues under state and federal law. He regularly assists journalists and others seeking access to information...

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...

Micah McBride is licensed to practice law in Texas and Utah and has been admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of Utah, the Supreme Court of Texas, the Federal District Court for the Western District of Texas and the Federal District Court for the District of Utah. Mr. McBride’s practice is focused on corporate law where he engages in a wide variety of business transactions including drafting and negotiating contracts, winding down, business formation, secured transactions, and other commercial transactions. Mr. McBride also dedicates a significant portion of his practice to counseling a variety of businesses ranging from...

Michael's passion is representing people at all stages of the criminal defense process in federal and state court. To that end, he has effectively and zealously defended numerous people charged with federal and state crimes. He has litigated highly complex cases, which include mortgage fraud, money laundering, ponzi scheme, racketeering, and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. Michael recently argued a complex double jeopardy issue before the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals. He has been selected by the Utah Federal District Court to be a member of the Criminal Justice Act Panel. In addition, he also has been selected to serve...

David A. Cutt is a 1991 graduate of the University of Michigan Law School and a founding member of Eisenberg, Gilchrist & Cutt. His practice focuses on catastrophic personal injury, product liability, and medical malpractice cases. He has tried numerous cases to verdict and obtained multiple seven figure recoveries on behalf of his injured clients. Mr. Cutt has particular expertise prosecuting cases on behalf of people who have suffered brain or spinal cord injuries, as well as pursuing claims for injuries caused by defective automobile tires and other dangerous products. Mr. Cutt sits on the board...

Linda Sun is a Chinese-speaking immigration lawyer located in Salt Lake City, Utah. As an immigrant herself, Linda is committed to providing quality, professional legal services. Please email, text to schedule a free consultation of your legal concern. Contact form requests are generally returned by an attorney within almost always the same business day.

A. Jason Velez is the founding partner and creator of 1LAW®, a culmination of his lifelong efforts to provide compassionate, accessible legal services in a modern environment. 1LAW began as a thriving practice based in his hometown of St. George, Utah, and has since expanded to provide representation to clients in Utah and Nevada, with offices in Arizona and California on the horizon. Velez is an alumnus of the University of California, San Diego, and the University of Utah College of Law, and was admitted to the Utah State Bar in 2001. He also completed international studies at the Universidad...

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...

Russell is a founding partner of Atticus Legal Group, LLC.  His practice focuses on achieving optimal outcomes for individuals in domestic actions, including divorce, and custody actions. Nathan also defends individuals involved in minor criminal matters, often involving protective orders and domestic violence claims.
Russell has successfully conducted both jury and bench trials before various courts in the State of Utah.  He has argued a civil appeal before the Utah Court of Appeals, and drafted briefs for appeals before the Utah Supreme Court.
Russell received his J.D. from Gonzaga School of Law, in 2006 and B.S., from the University of Utah in...

Mr. Sargent practices in the areas of estate planning, gift and estate tax, probate, trust and estate administration and business formation and structuring. Prior to joining Parr Brown in 1997, he practiced at a Washington, D.C. law firm for two years.

Mr. Sargent has been awarded an AV rating – the highest awarded by Martindale-Hubbell. He was recognized in 2012-2019 by Mountain States Super Lawyers for his estate planning and probate experience.

He has also been continually listed in Utah Business magazine as one of Utah’s Legal Elite in wills, trusts and estates and has been continually recognized by Best...

Scott Nickle taught English at Weber State University for four years before deciding to attend law school. He graduated from the Gonzaga University School of Law in 2006. He returned to Utah to work as an attorney for Helgesen, Houtz & Jones, the law firm he had interned for after his second year of law school. Scott Nickle specializes as a Family Law Attorney and Estate Planning Attorney. He deals will all types of family law such as Divorce, Child Custody, Surrogacy, etc. He has represented many clients with many different situations giving him the experience he needs to provide his...

Matthew is a member of Parr Brown’s Natural Resources, Energy, and Environmental Law team. Before joining Parr Brown, he was a partner at another Salt Lake law firm. He also served as a clerk to the Honorable Justice Matthew B. Durrant of the Utah Supreme Court.

Licensed in both Utah and Nevada, Mr. Jensen has assisted clients on a wide range of natural resource transactions, administrative proceedings, litigation, appeals, and legislative lobbying. Specifically, Mr. Jensen has advised clients in regards to water rights, mineral title, mining permits, geothermal energy issues, oil and gas development, stream alteration, section 404 wetland permits,...

Mr. Schofield is a litigator with a broad base of experience. He represents commercial parties, litigating business, contract, insurance, employment, intellectual property, real-estate, bankruptcy, and multi-level marketing matters. He also represents plaintiffs in mass tort, wrongful death, and serious personal injury matters, and has extensive experience representing individuals who have suffered damages from utility caused fires. He has represented both plaintiffs and defendants in state and federal court and has tried cases in Utah and California.

Prior to joining Parr Brown in 2004, Mr. Schofield practiced law for five years with a New York City-based law firm, LeBoeuf,...

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...

Will Fontenot is a results-oriented, client-focused attorney licensed to practice law in the State of Utah. His practice focuses on estate and trust drafting and litigation. Mr. Fontenot has over eleven years of experience strongly advocating for the client’s desired outcome, including document preparation and courtroom advocacy that has required innumerable hearings and trials. Mr. Fontenot has argued before the Utah Supreme Court. He has an extremely impressive track record of winning and being respected in the community by both lawyers and judges.
Mr. Fontenot’s academic and professional accomplishments include graduating in the top twenty percent of his law school class...

I am a registered Patent Attorney with a degree in chemical engineering and industry experience in food processing and electrical engineering. I represent innovative entities seeking to protect intellectual property rights. I work with inventions in a breadth of industries including the chemical, material science, electrical, medical, nanotechnology, gaming, and consumer products industries. In addition to patent work, my practice includes trademark, copyright, licensing, and general IP counseling.

Sara M. Nielson is a Shareholder with the Firm’s Litigation Section.

Ms. Nielson specializes in assisting clients in complex business and commercial litigation matters. She has experience representing clients in a wide range of complex litigation matters, including contract, construction, regulatory compliance, trade secrets, legal malpractice, and other general business disputes. Ms. Nielson has particular expertise in construction litigation and has experience representing both companies and individuals in state and federal courts and before mediators.

Ms. Nielson received her Juris Doctor magna cum laude and Order of the Coif in 2011 from the Brigham Young University J. Reuben Clark Law...

Cynthia Love is a member of the firm’s Litigation Section. Ms. Love attended Johns Hopkins University where she received a B.A. in History of Science, Medicine & Technology in 2003. In 2013, she earned her J.D. from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Dean’s Award, Order of the Coif. She also was the Executive Articles Editor of the Utah Law Review, a Quinney Research Fellow, and a William H. Leary Scholar.

Prior to joining Parr Brown, Ms. Love served as a law clerk for the Honorable Carolyn McHugh of the U.S. Court of Appeals...

Attorney Mark A. Larsen has been practicing law for more than 35 years, and as a member of Larsen & Rico, he represents individuals and businesses throughout Utah and nationwide in cases dealing with commercial litigation issues. During his career, Mr. Larsen has tried numerous complex cases across the country. His past clients include a range of local, national and international companies and insurance carriers.