Thomas Burns

Thomas Burns is a shareholder at the Smith LC Utah office. He is a member of the Family Law, Litigation, and Appellate sections of the Utah State Bar. Mr. Burns has more than 20 years of legal experience, including five years clerking for the Honorable William A. Thorne of the Utah Court of Appeals.  Mr. Burns has litigated cases in both state and federal courts at the trial and appellate level.  He has also represented clients in mediation, arbitration, and other forms of alternative dispute resolution.  His practice focuses on civil litigation, criminal defense, family law (including adoption, divorce, custody issues, property division, asset tracing, guardianship, and prenuptial/postnuptial agreements), and appeals.

Admissions

• All State and Federal Courts in Utah

Education

University of Utah, S.J. Quinney College of Law – J.D. (2000)

• Traynor Moot Court Competition (1998-1999)
• Trial Advocacy Competition (1999)

University of Utah – B.A., History; B.S., Economics (1996)

Judicial Clerkships

Law Clerk, Honorable William A. Thorne, Utah Court of Appeals (2000-2005)

Professional and Civic Activities

Member, Utah Minority Bar Association (2000-2005)

Participating Member, UMBA Mentoring Committee; Elected Secretary, Executive Council (2002-2003)

Named to Utah Business Magazine’s “Legal Elite”

Notable Cases

• Gilbert Development Corp. v. Wardley Corp., 246 P.3d 121
• Wadsworth Lake Park, LLC v. Spillman Technologies, Inc., 2010 UT App 210
• Wilkinson v. Washington City, 230 P.3d 136
• Bryner v. Bryner, 2009 UT App 217
• Peterson & Simpson v. IHC Health Services, Inc., 217 P.3d 716
• Ashton v. Learnframe, Inc.
• Innerlight, Inc. v. Matrix Group, LLC, 214 P.3d 854
• Kunzler v. Kunzler, 190 P.3d 497
• Kenny v. Rich, 186 P.3d 989
• Glew v. Ohio Savings Bank, 181 P.3d 791
• Sill v. Sill, 164 P.3d 415
• Carsten v. Carsten, 164 P.3d 429
• Carsten v. Carsten, 2006 UT App 275