Robert Shelby | |
|---|---|
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| Chief Judge of theUnited States District Court for the District of Utah | |
| In office October 1, 2018 – October 1, 2025 | |
| Preceded by | David Nuffer |
| Succeeded by | Jill Parrish |
| Judge of theUnited States District Court for the District of Utah | |
| Assumed office September 25, 2012 | |
| Appointed by | Barack Obama |
| Preceded by | Tena Campbell |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Robert James Shelby (1970-03-13)March 13, 1970 (age 55) Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Party | Republican |
| Education | Utah State University (BA) University of Virginia (JD) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Army• Utah Army National Guard |
| Years of service | 1988–1996 |
| Rank | Specialist 4 |
| Unit | 19th Special Forces Group, 1457th Engineer Battalion |
| Battles/wars | Gulf War • Operation Desert Storm |
| Awards | |
Robert James Shelby (born March 13, 1970)[1] is an American attorney and judge serving as aUnited States district judge of theUnited States District Court for the District of Utah.
Shelby was born inFort Atkinson, Wisconsin.[1] He served in the19th Special Forces Group, 1457thEngineer Battalion of theUtah Army National Guard from 1988 to 1996, and was on active duty duringOperation Desert Storm in 1991. He received several military awards for his service, including theUnited States Army Achievement Medal forDesert Storm and theNational Defense Service Medal. He was honorably discharged with the rank ofspecialist.[2] He received hisBachelor of Arts degree in 1994 fromUtah State University and hisJuris Doctor in 1998 from theUniversity of Virginia School of Law.[3]
In 1999, he served as alaw clerk for JudgeJohn Thomas Greene Jr. of theUnited States District Court for the District of Utah. He was an associate at Snow, Christensen & Martineau inSalt Lake City from 2000 to 2005. From 2005 to 2011, he was an associate at Burbridge, Mitchell & Gross. From 2011 to 2012, he again practiced at Snow, Christensen & Martineau as ashareholder. His practice focused on complexcommercial litigation and catastrophicpersonal injury cases on behalf of both plaintiffs and defendants.[3] Shelby served on the Salt Lake County Bar Association's Executive Committee since 2002, and as its vice chairman since 2011. He served on the Utah Supreme Court's Advisory Committee on Rules of Civil Procedure and its Ethics and Discipline Committee.[2] He is a registered Republican.[4][5]
On November 30, 2011, PresidentBarack Obama nominated Shelby to be district judge of the United States District Court for the District of Utah,[3] to the seat vacated by JudgeTena Campbell, who assumed senior status on January 1, 2011. He received a hearing before theSenate Judiciary Committee on March 28, 2012, and his nomination was reported to the floor on April 26, 2012, byvoice vote. Both Senators from Utah,Orrin Hatch andMike Lee, endorsed his nomination, with Sen. Lee describing Shelby as "pre-eminently qualified" and predicting that he would be "an outstanding judge." Hatch highly lauded Shelby: "A man of keen intellect, Robert Shelby...has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the law".[6] In the early hours of September 22, 2012, on what was officially still the legislative day of September 21, the Senate confirmed Shelby in avoice vote. He received his commission on September 25, 2012.[5] He became chief judge on October 1, 2018.[7]
{{cite journal}}:Cite journal requires|journal= (help)| Legal offices | ||
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| Preceded by | Judge of theUnited States District Court for the District of Utah 2012–present | Incumbent |
| Preceded by | Chief Judge of theUnited States District Court for the District of Utah 2018–2025 | Succeeded by |