Taylor Smith

Taylor Smith is an associate in the firm’s litigation group, where he advocates for clients navigating complex civil disputes, whether business-related or personal. His background spans private practice, criminal prosecution, federal government work with the U.S. Department of the Interior, and the judiciary—including a clerkship with Judge David N. Mortensen at the Utah Court of Appeals and an externship with Utah Supreme Court Chief Justice Matthew B. Durrant. That appellate experience gave him early mastery of procedure, statutory interpretation, and persuasive writing that would otherwise take years to develop in private practice.

Taylor graduated cum laude from the J. Reuben Clark Law School at Brigham Young University, where he served as Managing Editor of Administration for the BYU Law Review and published a note on linguistic estoppel and the challenges suspects face when invoking Miranda rights. His undergraduate study of linguistics at BYU—focused on what is expressly and impliedly communicated in language—sharpens his attention to the precise details that determine outcomes in litigation.

Taylor holds a B.A. in Linguistics from Brigham Young University, where he graduated on the Dean’s List.

When away from work, Taylor and his family explore National Parks and other pristine wildlands in the United States, share and experience storytelling, cheer for their favorite sports teams, and attempt to perfect recipes at home.

HONORS & EDUCATION

• J.D., J. Reuben Clark Law School, Brigham Young University, cum laude
• B.A., Linguistics, Brigham Young University, Dean’s List
• BYU Law Review, Managing Editor of Administration (2019)

HISTORY & EXPERIENCE

• Judicial Clerk, Utah Court of Appeals, Judge David N. Mortensen
• Judicial Extern, Utah Supreme Court, Chief Justice Matthew B. Durrant

ADMISSIONS & PRACTICE

• Utah State Bar
• U.S. District Court for the District of Utah
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit