Bryan J. Pattison

Mr. Pattison’s practice concentrates primarily on civil and appellate litigation, employment law, and real estate development.

In his litigation practice, he represents governmental entities, businesses, insurers and individuals in a broad spectrum of litigation matters. He has a particular emphasis in defending governmental entities in constitutional, civil rights, land use and employment matters. He is an experienced appellate lawyer. He has briefed and argued numerous cases before Utah’s appellate courts and frequently serves as appellate counsel in cases handled at the trial level by attorneys both in and outside the firm.

Mr. Pattison maintains an active employment law practice, primarily devoted to representing both public and private employers. His representation includes drafting policies, procedures, and employee handbooks; counseling on compliance issues; employee discipline and termination; and representation against discrimination claims. He has twice been named as a “Rising Star” in the area of employment law by the Mountain States Super Lawyers’ magazine.

In his real estate development practice, Mr. Pattison regularly counsels developers in all stages of the development process. His emphasis is in the creation and establishment of planned communities. His projects have ranged from small residential condominiums to large master planned golf course communities.

Education

University of Oklahoma - J.D., with distinction (2000)

  • Assistant Managing Editor, Oklahoma Law Review
  • Board of Editors, American Indian Law Review
  • American Jurisprudence Award in Contracts

Westminster College - B.S., Business Management, cum laude (1997)

Admitted to Practice

  • United States Court of Appeals, Ninth and Tenth Circuits
  • Utah

Prior Professional Experience

  • Judicial Clerk to the Honorable Judith M. Billings, Utah Court of Appeals (2000–2001)

Professional and Civic Activities

  • Member, Utah Supreme Court Advisory Committee on Rules of Appellate Procedure (2003-present)
  • Member, Executive Committee, Litigation Section, Utah State Bar (2002-present)
  • Member, Utah State Bar Spring Convention Committee (2005)
  • Named in Utah Business magazine’s “Legal Elite”
  • Volunteer Little League Football Coach

Publications

  • “Writing to Persuade,” 24 Utah Bar. J. 10 (March/April 2011)
  • "Henriod, Dissenting," 19 Utah Bar J. 26 (May/June 2006)
  • "Burlington Industries, Inc. v. Ellerth and Faragher v. City of Boca Raton: A Clear Rule of Deterrence or an Invitation to Litigate? The Supreme Court Rules on Employer Liability for Supervisory Sexual Harassment," 52 Okla. L. Rev. 461 (1999)

Presentations

  • "The Anatomy of an Appeal" Utah State Bar Spring Convention, March 2012
  • "Factoids, Vignettes, and Useless Trivia: A Walk Through Supreme Court History," Southern Utah Bar Fall CLE (2009)
  • "Checklist for Appellate Briefs," Utah State Bar Mid-Year Convention (2003)

Representative Cases/Deals

  • Thorpe v. Washington City, 243 P.3d 500 (Utah Ct. App. 2010)
  • Wilkinson v. Washington City, 2010 UT App 56
  • Fort Pierce Business Park, LC v. Closing Resources, LLC, 2009 UT App 357 (Utah Ct. App. Dec. 3, 2009).
  • Stevens v. LaVerkin City, 183 P.3d 1059 (Utah Ct. App. 2008)
  • Town of Leeds v. Prisbrey, 179 P.3d 747 (Utah 2008)
  • Bilanzich v. Lonetti, 160 P.3d 1041 (Utah 2007)
  • Heideman v. Washington City, 155 P.3d 900 (Utah Ct. App. 2007)
  • Searle v. Milburn Irrigation Co., 133 P.3d  382 (Utah 2006)
  • Zion Factory Stores Holding v. Lawrence, 121 P.3d 53 (Utah Ct. App. 2005)
  • Hernandez v. Baker, 104 P.3d 664 (Utah Ct. App. 2004)
  • Blackburn v. Washington City, 101 P.3d 391 (Utah Ct. App. 2004)
  • Hale v. Beckstead, 74 P.3d 628 (Utah Ct. App. 2003)