Utah Supreme Court Associate Chief Justice John Pearce Retires December

Utah Supreme Court Associate Chief Justice John A. Pearce has announced his retirement effective December 1, 2025, concluding a decade on the state's highest court and 16 years of public service. Pearce, who has served as associate chief justice since 2022 and was first appointed by former Gov. Gary Herbert in 2015, stated he is ready to start a new chapter by returning to private practice and continuing to teach law at the University of Utah. His departure comes amid ongoing tensions between the judiciary and a Republican-led legislature, which has recently seen several court decisions blocking key GOP initiatives, including abortion restrictions and changes to ballot initiatives. Governor Spencer Cox will appoint Pearce's successor from candidates vetted by the Appellate Nominating Commission, with the Utah Senate responsible for confirmation. Pearce expressed pride in his colleagues and the court's work, while Chief Justice Matthew Durrant praised Pearce's extraordinary contributions, particularly in improving legal representation and lawyer competency standards. Pearce's retirement will give Cox the opportunity to appoint a third justice, solidifying Cox's influence over the court's future makeup.