Paul M. Durham

Paul M. Durham founded Durham Jones & Pinegar in 1991. He served as President, CEO, and Chairman of the firm's Board of Directors from 1991 to 2007. Currently, he is a director of the firm and General Counsel to the firm. As the firm’s General Counsel, Mr. Durham provides legal advice to Durham Jones & Pinegar management and coordinates the firm’s legal affairs. He also chairs D|J|P's Ethics Committee and addresses issues involving professionalism and the rules of professional ethics. Mr. Durham's law practice focuses primarily on real estate matters and corporate mergers and acquisitions. He also has substantial experience in civil litigation. Mr. Durham is rated "AV Preeminent" by Martindale-Hubbell, which is the highest rating awarded to attorneys for professional competence and ethics.

Education

University of Utah, S. J. Quinney College of Law - J.D. (1980)

  • Managing Editor, Utah Law Review
  • Member, Moot Court Board

University of Utah - B.A., English, magna cum laude (1977)

Admitted to Practice

  • All State and Federal Courts in Utah and Idaho
  • Idaho
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
  • United States Supreme Court
  • Utah

Prior Professional Experience

  • Law Clerk, Honorable Aldon J. Anderson, Chief Judge U.S. District Court for the District of Utah (1980-1981)

Professional and Civic Activities

  • Listed in Best Lawyers in America, Mountain State Super Lawyers, and Utah's "Legal Elite" (Utah Business Magazine)
  • Member, World Services Group (International network of top law firms in 115 countries)
  • Member, Real Estate and Business Law Sections, Utah State Bar
  • Adjunct Professor, J. Reuben Clark Law School, Brigham Young University, Law Practice Management course (2008-present)
  • Board of Trustees, S. J. Quinney College of Law, University of Utah (2002-present); President (2007-2009); Vice President (2005-2006); President-elect (2006-2007);
  • Pioneer Theatre Company, Chair of Board of Trustees, (2010-present); Vice Chair (2009-2010); Development Chair (2008-2009); Member, Executive Committee (2008-present); Member, Artist Housing Governing Board (2008-present); Member, Budget Committee (2004-2008); Member, Board of Trustees (2003-present)
  • Member, Congress of Fellows, Center for International Legal Studies, Salzburg, Austria (2004-2011)
  • Chair, Salt Lake City Managing Attorneys Association (2005-2006)
  • Featured in Forbes magazine (June 2004)
  • "Leading Attorney - Business Law," KSL-TV Legal Resource Center (2003)
  • Member, Rotary, Salt Lake Club (2002-present)
  • Disciplinary Panel Judge, Utah State Bar (1989-1991)
  • Member, Utah Bar Governance Committee (1988-1990)
  • President, Young Lawyers Section, Utah State Bar (1986-1987) (at that time, comprising 50% of the bar membership)
  • Recipient, Award of Achievement, ABA Young Lawyers Division for Outstanding Activities (1986-1987)
  • Ex Officio Member, Utah State Bar Commission (1986-1987)
  • Barrister, American Inns of Court II, VII (1981-1985)

Presentations

  • Lecturer on real estate, corporate and law firm management topics

Representative Cases/Deals

  • Morgan v. Quailbrook Condominium Co., 704 P.2d 573 (Utah 1985) (nuisance claim arising from real estate development)
  • Salt Lake City v. Cahoon and Maxfield Irrigation Co., 879 P.2d 248 (Utah 1994) (stock in a mutual irrigation company as real property)
  • Jane L. et al., v. Norman H. Bangerter as Governor of the State of Utah, 828 F. Supp. 1544 (D. Utah 1993); 61 F.3d 1505 (10th Cir. 1995) (defense of governor regarding Utah abortion statute)
  • Republic Group, Inc. v. Won-Door Corp., 883 P.2d 285 (Utah App. 1995) (contract claim for broker's fee in private placement of corporate stock)
  • C & Y Corp. v. General Biometrics, Inc., 896 P.2d 47 (Utah App. 1995) (contract formation; breach of fiduciary duty)
  • In Re General Determination of Rights to Use All Water Within Drainage Area of Utah Lake and Jordan River in Utah, Salt Lake, Davis, Wasatch, San Pete and Juab Counties in Utah, 982 P.2d 65 (Utah 1999) (general water rights determination)
  • Save Our Schools, et al., v. Board of Education of Salt Lake City, 122 P.3d 611 (Utah 2005) (school closure)