Utah Senate unanimously confirms two judicial appointments, hears remarks from nominees

The Utah Senate, meeting in its twelfth extraordinary session in November 2024, consented unanimously to two judicial appointments sent by Governor Spencer J. Cox, then heard brief remarks from each newly confirmed judge.

Governor Cox transmitted the nominations by proclamation and letters read by Senate staff. The Senate Judicial Confirmation Committee reported favorable recommendations for both nominees; Senator Todd Wyler presented the committee reports and moved that the chamber consent to the appointments.

Judge Ryan Evershed was presented as a nominee to serve as judge of the Second District Juvenile Court. Wyler told senators that Evershed has served in juvenile court for about a decade, previously represented the Division of Child and Family Services in abuse and neglect cases, and opened a private practice in 2008 focused on juvenile, family and criminal law. Wyler said the committee voted unanimously to recommend consent. On a roll-call vote the clerk recorded 23 "aye," 0 "nay," and 6 absent; the Senate announced its consent and congratulated Judge Evershed. Evershed, who said he has spent 18 years working in juvenile court matters (including 11 years as a judge), thanked the governor, the nominating committee and his family and said he looked forward to serving the Second District.

Casey Wright was the second nominee the Senate considered. Senate materials and Wyler's committee report described Wright as an attorney with nearly 20 years of legal experience, including civil litigation and municipal representation, and noted two guiding pillars Wright told the committee he would bring to the bench: fidelity to the law and centering the parties in the courtroom. The Senate again voted by roll call—23 "aye," 0 "nay," 6 absent—to consent to Wright's appointment to the Fourth District Court. After the vote Judge Wright addressed the chamber, thanked the governor and the nominating committee and recognized family members in the gallery.

Both confirmations followed the Senate's adoption of procedural rules for the extraordinary session and motions to resolve into and dissolve the Committee of the Whole so the chamber could receive comments from the judges. The Senate recorded the votes on both confirmations as unanimous among those present; the Senate noted that, if Evershed's transfer to the Second District proceeded, it would create a vacancy in the Eighth District that would require a later appointment.

The session also included additional gubernatorial appointments and committee reports (consented separately) and closed with a moment of silence honoring the late Janice Walker Legler. The Senate adjourned sine die following a final unanimous motion to adjourn.