Tanner joined the firm as an associate in 2022. Originally from Kansas City, MO, Tanner completed his undergraduate degree in philosophy at Kansas State University. Following graduation, Tanner spent several years working and traveling to pursue his original love: climbing. He has climbed all over the country, as well as in Mexico and the Czech Republic.
Tanner eventually moved to Denver, CO, where he received his Juris Doctor from the University of Denver, Sturm College of Law. Following law school, he relocated to Salt Lake City, where he has found the best climbing and skiing in the country, as well as a fulfilling law practice.
He practices criminal defense as well as handling a variety of civil matters.
Areas of Practice
§1983 CLAIMS:
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Tanner has handled numerous civil rights claims and is well-versed in matters of governmental immunity. He negotiated a pre-filing civil rights settlement on behalf of clients whose property was unlawfully raided by code enforcement officials, with multiple vehicles and items of property impounded without cause or due process. He has litigated matters of governmental immunity at both the state and federal levels.
REAL PROPERTY:
Tanner represents landowners involving all manner of disputes over real property.
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Prevailed at bench trial in case of two adjoining agricultural landowners where the historical property line had become overgrown and come into dispute.
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Prevailed at bench trial when client, as the purchaser of a home under a seller financed purchase contract, was sued for eviction and forfeiture of equity by seller who sought to construe the terms of the agreement in a novel way.
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Obtained summary judgment in favor of client who purchased residential/agricultural property with the understanding that agricultural water shares were to be included, where seller later contended that the shares were withheld from the sale.
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Tanner has also litigated numerous cases involving the nondisclosure of material defects in residential real estate transactions.
DEFAMATION & TORTS:
Tanner represents individuals accused of defamation and other common law torts. He occasionally handles plaintiff’s tort claims, as well.
- Obtained summary judgment in favor of a client sued for defamation and breach of contract while president of the Utah Deaf Campers, who had alleged their leader had misappropriated group funds, among other things.
- Obtained dismissal of his out-of-state client from a defamation claim based on lack of personal jurisdiction.
- Secured $200,000 judgment (including $100,000 in punitive damages) for client whose image was wrongly published in a mugshot tabloid with the incorrect attribution of a crime he was never charged or convicted of.
CRIMINAL DEFENSE:
Tanner’s criminal defense practice includes:
- DUI defense
- Drug possession and distribution
- Domestic violence
- Burglary
- Sex crimes
- Violent crimes
- Probation violations
ADMISSIONS
- Admitted to practice in all Utah state and federal courts and in the U.S. Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals.
PUBLICATIONS
- If It’s not Mixed-Income It Won’t Be Transit-Oriented: Ensuring our Future Developments are Equitable & Promote Transit, Transportation Law Journal, 2014
EDUCATION
- J.D. University of Denver, Sturm College of Law, 2014
- Certificate in Environmental and Natural Resources Law
- B.S., Philosophy, Kansas State University, 2005
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