Biography
Justin is a results-driven trial attorney known for his sharp legal acumen, strategic thinking, and commanding courtroom presence. Clients and colleagues alike recognize him as a pragmatic, relentless advocate who consistently delivers winning outcomes in complex litigation.
Justin’s litigation prowess has earned him the trust of industry leaders, who rely on his counsel to navigate high-stakes disputes and optimize business strategies. Many clients retain him as their outside general counsel, recognizing his ability to foresee legal challenges and provide practical, business-oriented solutions that protect their bottom line.
A successful and forceful litigator, Justin captures the respect of judges, opposing counsel, and clients. Judges and arbitrators describe him as a “street fighter” who is “well prepared” and “fearless.” Clients praise Justin as being "the best lawyer I've ever worked with." Justin is "approachable, easy to talk to, but terrifyingly sharp." Others say that Justin is simply "the best." Judges and arbitrators describe him as a “street fighter” who is “fearless.”
INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE
Justin has extensive experience in direct sales and multi-level marketing, representing clients at every level—from individual distributors to billion-dollar enterprises such as Vivint Smart Home, Hawx Pest Control, Xyngular, and Modere. He is frequently called upon to handle high-value disputes, trade secret litigation, restrictive covenants and competitor conflicts in this complex and heavily regulated industry.
Beyond direct sales, Justin is regularly called on to assist clients involved in complex estate disputes, successfully helping his clients navigate sensitive issues that are common in litigation amongst family.
Justin also represents a diverse portfolio of clients in complex civil litigation matters, including auto manufacturers, home services, technology firms, and government entities. His litigation expertise extends to constitutional law (§ 1983 claims), commercial disputes, and corporate governance battles.
Practice Areas
- Restrictive Covenants Enforcement and Defense
- Trust/Estate Disputes
- Civil Investigation Demands
- Contract Disputes
- Personal Injury
- Corporate Law
Education
- The S.J. Quinney College of Law at The University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
- J.D.
- Honors: cum laude
- Honors: With High Honors
- Honors: William H. Leary Scholar, CALI Award
- Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah
- Corporate Finance - 2009
- Honors: cum laude
Bar Admissions
- Utah, 2014
- U.S. District Court District of Utah, 2014
- U.S. Court of Appeals 10th Circuit, 2014
- United States Supreme Court
Representative Cases
- Vivint Inc. v. Alert Alarm: Successfully represented Vivint in claims that a competitor had purchased and used Vivint’s confidential information and trade secrets to unfairly and wrongfully compete against Vivint.
- Blue Raven Solar v. Fluent Solar, Inc. Successfully represented Fluent Solar in defending against tortious interference claims for hiring certain ex-employees of Plaintiff.
- Young Living Essential Oils v. Jeremiah McLean et. al.: Successfully represented a number of top distributors in navigating an exit from their former multi-level-marketing company.
- Alert v. Safe Home, Inc.: Successfully represented Safe Home Control in defending against claims for tortious interference, unfair competition, and misappropriation of trade secrets, where plaintiff out-spent Safe Home Control on attorney fees at a ratio of almost 10 to 1.
- Souza v. Paparazzi Accessories: Successfully represented one of Paparazzi Accessories highest distributors in claims involving deceptive advertising and unlawful pyramid schemes.
Governmental Cases
- SESD v. Payson City, Spanish Fork City, and Salem City: Successfully represented Payson, Spanish Fork, and Salem in a multi-million-dollar dispute over the cities’ ability and right to provide electricity to their residents.
- James v. Davies et.al.: Successfully defended a police officer against excessive force allegations, preventing wrongful civil and criminal liability.
- Sivatia v. West Valley City et. al.: Successfully represented Mr. Sivatia in an excess use of force claim and unnecessary rigor arrest against West Valley City.
- Petio v. Moab City: Successfully represented the City of Moab in claims that Moab and its police officers were responsible for Gabby Petito’s tragic death.
Estate/Family Litigation
- Mortensen v. Mortensen: Successfully represented two brothers in a multi-million-dollar dispute with their brother over their father’s estate. At trial, received an award of approximately $1.5 million dollars. On appeal, successfully defended the trial court’s ruling and award. See Mortensen v. Mortensen, 2025 UT App 8.
- Midgley v. Midgley: Successfully represented siblings in a lawsuit against their stepmother relating to their father’s multi-million-dollar estate.
- In Re. Trust of Ruby Davis. Successfully represented half of the siblings in a dispute with the other siblings related to their parents’ multi-million-dollar estate and disputed validity of trust and estate documents.
Other Cases
- Mulligan Capital v. Progenex: Successfully represented Mulligan Capital in challenges to its non-judicial foreclosure of supplement brand Progenex.
- Seek XR v. Velocity Resorts, LLC: Successfully obtained a summary judgment award of over $5 million relating to Defendant’s breach of a contract.
- Johnson v. Moab: Successfully represented Johnson in a property dispute with Moab City regarding quite title and easements claims based on deeds from the 1800’s.
Current Employment Position
- Partner
Languages
- English