Spencer loves the law for its simplicity. Not that the law is all that simple; but what Spencer loves is the challenge of taking complicated facts and law and then analyzing and explaining them in a way that judges, juries, clients, and (let’s be honest here) even he can understand. That is why Spencer’s practice has gravitated to three areas where creating simplicity is everyday work.
Spencer primarily focuses his practice in construction contract litigation, appeals, and aviation cases. In his construction cases, Spencer helps to make sense of complex contract claims on large-scale construction projects requiring years to complete and filling rooms full of documents. He has handled claims on federal, state, and privately funded construction projects representing everything from government entities to the smallest subcontractors. Spencer has fully embraced the “construction lawyer” life—he even drives a pickup.
Spencer’s appeals allow him to focus more narrowly on the law developed by Utah’s courts and legislature, and apply that law in new ways to new sets of facts, and try to explain it all in a very limited page count. He has handled successful appeals before the Tenth Circuit, Utah Supreme Court, and Utah Court of Appeals.
Finally, his aviation cases allow him to solve puzzles where, quite often, much of the key evidence has been lost in an aircraft accident and there are no easy answers. He represents aircraft owners, pilots, and insurers.
Spencer occasionally shows up to work in lycra as he claims to be a competitive road cyclist and mountain biker. His day job of trying to find simplicity in complex issues is good training for his true life’s work—raising his three (!) young daughters. Wish him luck.
Professional Memberships
- Utah State Bar
- Utah State Bar Appellate Practice Section
- Utah State Bar Litigation Section
- Utah State Bar Construction Law Section
- Utah Defense Lawyers Association
Professional Recognition & Awards
- Utah Defense Lawyers Horizon Award recipient, 2019
- Super Lawyers Mountain States Rising Star, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019
- Utah Business Magazine’s “Utah Legal Elite” 2018, 2019, 2020
Education
- Brigham Young University, J.D., 2010, Magna Cum Laude
- Lead Articles Editor, BYU Journal of Public Law
- Member, Moot Court Board of Advocates
- Winner, National Religious Freedom Moot Court Competition, 2009
- Brigham Young University, B.A., 2007
Admissions
- Utah State Bar, 2010
- U.S. District Court, District of Utah, 2010
- United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, 2014