David W. Tufts is an experienced trial attorney who has handled a broad array of business litigation matters, including state and federal trials as first chair and appeals before the Utah Supreme Court and Court of Appeals.

Mr. Tufts has enjoyed the privilege of serving as an advocate in the courtroom on behalf of his clients' business interests for more than 16 years. In so doing, Mr. Tufts has acquired substantive courtroom experience and achieved successful results in a broad array of commercial and business matters. This includes such areas as contract disputes, enforcement of security interests in real and personal property, defending allegations of commercial fraud, securities fraud, and defamation, enforcement of trademarks, patents, copyrights and other intellectual property rights, unfair competition, unjust enrichment, technology disputes, construction matters, mechanics lien enforcement, employment disputes, and real property matters.

In addition to trial work, Mr. Tufts has significant experience in successfully obtaining pre-judgment relief and related remedies, including obtaining summary judgments for clients, writs of replevin, writs of attachment, and preliminary injunctions.

Mr. Tufts joined D|J|P in 1999 after spending the first four years of his practice training as a litigation associate in the Los Angeles office of a nationally ranked 700+ lawyer law firm. Although he spends most of his time in Utah courtrooms, Mr. Tufts continues to actively litigate cases pending in California's state and federal courts. For Utah-based clients who are being sued in California this has proven to be a cost-effective way to handle disputes that arise from interstate commercial activities. Mr. Tufts has successfully obtained dismissals of Utah clients who have been improperly sued in California.

Mr. Tufts has been nominated by his peers as one of Utah Business magazine's "Legal Elite" in the area of Business Litigation for the past three consecutive years. In 2010, based upon the recommendation of the Supreme Court's Committee on Professionalism, the Utah Supreme Court appointed Mr. Tufts to serve as a mentor for the New Lawyer Training Program during its inaugural year.

Mr. Tufts is active in community service and in pro bono matters. He is currently a volunteer coach of the Woods Cross High School Mock Trial Team. He is a Past Unit Commissioner for the Boy Scouts of America. In 2006 the Utah Supreme Court appointed Mr. Tufts to serve as a Judge Pro Tempore, and since that time he has served in the Small Claims Division of the Second District Court, Layton, Utah, and is currently assigned to the Davis Justice Court, Farmington, Utah. In this capacity, Mr. Tufts sits as judge once a month. He has decided more than 75 small claims trials since 2006.

Within the firm, Mr. Tufts serves as a member of the Board of Directors, and is Chairman of D|J|P's Recruiting Committee. He is the past Chairman of the firm's Associate Development Committee.

Education

Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark Law School - J.D. (1995)

  • Executive Editor, Brigham Young University Law Review
  • Best Brief, Western Region, Giles Sutherland Rich Moot Court Competition (1995)
  • President, Student Chapter, American Intellectual Property Law Association (1994–1995)

Brigham Young University - B.S., Civil Engineering (1992)

Admitted to Practice

  • All State and Federal Courts in Utah and California
  • United States Courts of Appeals for the Ninth, Tenth and Federal Circuits
  • United States Supreme Court

Professional and Civic Activities

  • Durham Jones & Pinegar Board Member
  • Chair, Durham Jones & Pinegar Recruiting Committee
  • Past Chair, Durham Jones & Pinegar Associate Development Committee
  • Judge Pro Tempore, Second District Court, Layton, and Davis Justice Court, Farmington, Utah