Attorney at Law
Salt Lake City, Utah
(801) 456-7655
(801) 456-7656
Christopher Ballard has been persuading judges for over two decades. He now brings to the trial level his considerable experience in analyzing complex legal problems and persuasively advocating for the best solutions at all levels of the state and federal appellate courts. He knows how to ensure that cases don’t get derailed, and that the results achieved are not only beneficial, but will withstand the most rigorous scrutiny.
In 2022, Utah Business Magazine once again recognized Chris as one of Utah’s Legal Elite for his work in the government and appellate-practice areas.
Chris graduated cum laude from Brigham Young University’s J. Reuben Clark Law School where he competed on the national moot court team, winning Best Oralist honors at the regional semifinals of the national moot court competition.
Outside the office, Chris relishes time with his family whether traveling, hiking, or attending his children’s many concerts, games, and performances. Chris thanks his mother for encouraging him to learn the piano (as she predicted he would) but he still dreams of getting his own drum set.
Education
- Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark Law School – J.D., cum laude (1999)
- National Moot Court Team
- Best Oralist, National Moot Court Competition, Regional Semifinal
- Brigham Young University – B.A., Political Science, cum laude (1995)
Honors and Awards
- Named in Utah Business Magazine’s “Legal Elite” (2003, 2022)
- Best Brief, Utah Attorney General’s Office, Criminal Appeals Division (2011, 2016, 2020)
Professional and Community Activities
- Chair, Utah Supreme Court’s Advisory Committee on the Rules of Appellate Procedure (2021-present)
- Utah Supreme Court’s Advisory Committee on the Rules of Appellate Procedure (2017-present)
- Adjunct Professor of Law, Moot Court Program, Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark Law School (2021 to present)
- Utah Journal of Criminal Law, Editorial Board (2014-present)
- Utah State Bar Appellate Practice Section, Executive Board Member (2009-2011)
- Board Member, Shining Light Commonwealth School
Languages
- Haitian Creole and conversational French
Representative Cases
- State v. Wilder, 2018 UT 17, 420 P.3d 1046 (overruling the Finlayson common-law merger doctrine)
- State v. Rettig, 2017 UT 83, 416 P.3d 520 (affirming the constitutionality of the plea withdrawal statute)
- State v. Houston, 2015 UT 40, 353 P.3d 55 (affirming the constitutionality of a life-without-parole sentence for a juvenile who committed aggravated murder)
- State v. J.M.S. (In re J.M.S.), 2011 UT 75, 280 P.3d 410 (reversing an erroneous interpretation of Utah’s abortion statutes)
- State v. Lane, 2009 UT 35, 212 P.3d 529 (striking a workable balance between crime-victim rights and the State’s prosecutorial authority)
- State v. MacGuire, 2004 UT 4, 84 P.3d 1171 (recognizing a nonviable fetus as a person under Utah’s aggravated murder statute)
- State v. Mauchley, 2003 UT 10, 67 P.3d 477 (adopting the minority position and abandoning the corpus delicti rule)
Contact Us
Ten Exchange Place, Suite 350
Salt Lake City, Utah 84111
(801) 456-7655
(801) 456-7656
Mon-Fri 8am- 5pm