Michael Zimmerman's practice is concentrated in commercial litigation, appellate advocacy, mediation, and arbitration.
Education
- University of Utah College of Law (J.D., 1969)
- Order of the Coif
- Note Editor, Utah Law Review
- University of Utah (B.S., Political Science, cum laude, 1966)
Court Admissions
- Supreme Court of California
- Supreme Court of Utah
- United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
- United States Court of Appeals, Second Circuit
- United States Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit
- United States District Court, Central District of California
- United States District Court, District of Utah
- United States District Court, Southern District of California
- United States Supreme Court
Professional Memberships & Activities
- American Academy of Appellate Lawyers, Member (2005-present)
- Utah Legal Services, Inc., Board of Directors, Member (2002-present)
- Appointed Special Master for United States District Court (United States of America v. Douglas E. Brown, et al.; Civil No. 2:95CR 245B) (2001-2009)
- Association for Conflict Resolution, Member (2001-present)
- Commission on Racial and Ethnic Fairness in the Judicial System, Member (2001-2005)
- Registry of Independent Scientific and Technical Advisors at The Private Adjudication Center at Duke University, Co-Director (2000-2002)
- American Arbitration Association, Member (2000-present)
- Utah Judicial Council, Court Annexed Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee, Member (2000-present)
- The Utah Council on Conflict Resolution, Board of Directors, Chair (1999-2006)
- American Judicature Society, Board of Directors, Member (1995-2001)
- Utah Judicial Council Task Force on Racial and Ethnic Fairness in the Judicial System Chair (1996-2000)
- American Law Institute, Member (1990-present)
- Utah Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice, Member (1995-1998)
- Conference of Chief Justices, Board of Directors, Member (1995-1998)
- Utah State Bar Access to Justice Task Force, Co-Chair (1996-1997)
- Utah Constitutional Revision Commission, Member (1987-1993)
- Duke University Law School, Faculty Member, SJI-funded "Judging Science" program for appellate and trial judges (1992)
- Utah Judicial Council Task Force on Gender and Justice, Co-Chair (1986-1990)
- Judicial Conference of the United States, Federal Civil Procedure Rules Advisory Committee, Member (1985-1991)
Representative Presentations & Publications
- A New Approach to Court Reform, Judicature, Vol. 82. No. 3 (November-December 1998)
- Where We Have Been and Where We May Be Headed: Some Thoughts on the Progress of the Utah Judiciary, 11 Utah Bar Journal 18 (1998)
- Remarks Before First 100 Dinner of Utah State Bar, 11 Utah Bar Journal 75 (1998)
- Point/Counterpoint: Mandatory Reporting of Pro Bono Service: Why is it an Issue, 10 Utah Bar Journal 13 (1997)
- The Weakness of the Adversary System as a Foundation for Lawyer Ethics, Invited Speaker, ABA Litigation Section Board of Directors' Annual Meeting (1996)
- The Chief Justice's Annual Seminar on Ethics, Host and Speaker, Park City Bar Association (1994-1997)
- Soft Scientific Evidence: When is it Admissible and What Does it Prove? Faculty Member, ABA Appellate Judges Seminar (1993)
- Professional Standards Versus Personal Ethics: The Lawyer's Dilemma, Commencement Speaker, University of Utah College of Law (1988)
Professional Recognition & Awards
- The Best Lawyers in America® (2005-2011)
- Lawdragon Top 3000 Leading Lawyers in America (2010)
- Super Lawyers® - Corporate Counsel Edition (2010)
- Mountain States Super Lawyers® (2007-2010)
- Utah Legal Elite, Utah Business magazine (2007, 2009)
- Peacekeeper Award Recipient, Utah Council on Conflicts Resolution (2007)
- Lawdragon 500 Leading Judges (2006)
- Honorary Doctor of Laws, University of Utah (2001)
- Distinguished Service Award, Utah State Bar (1998)
- The Peter W. Billings, Sr. Outstanding Dispute Resolution Service Award, American Arbitration Association (1997)
- Individual Achievement Award, Downtown Alliance (1997)
- Excellence in Ethics Award, Utah Valley State College, Center for the Study of Ethics, inaugural recipient (1994)
- Appellate Judge of the Year, Utah State Bar (1988)
Other Professional Experience
- Supreme Court of Utah, Justice (1984-2000)
- Supreme Court of Utah, Chief Justice; Utah Judicial Council, Chair ; Utah Judiciary, Chief Administrative Officer (1994-1998)
- University of Utah College of Law, Adjunct Professor (1989-1993)
- Watkiss & Campbell, Shareholder, Salt Lake City, Utah (1980-1984)
- University of Utah College of Law, Adjunct Professor supervising National Moot Court Teams, Utah Supreme Court Internship Program, and Executive Internship Program (1978-1984)
- Kruse, Landa, Zimmerman & Maycock, Of Counsel, Salt Lake City, Utah (1978-1980)
- Governor Scott M. Matheson, Utah, Part-Time Special Counsel (1978-1984)
- University of Utah College of Law, Associate Professor of Law (1976-1978)
- O'Melveny & Myers, Associate, Los Angeles, California (1970-1976)
- Chief Justice Warren E. Burger, United States Supreme Court, Law Clerk (1969-1970)