Meet Scott O. Mercer.

Scott is a trial lawyer and the senior shareholder at Kesler & Rust, where he has spent his entire legal career.  Scott joined the firm as a law clerk in 1981 and became an attorney following his 1982 graduation from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law.  Scott has enjoyed decades-long relationships with Kesler & Rust’s very first clients, most of which remain clients of the firm today.

Scott has established a robust commercial litigation practice centered on resolving matters for shopping centers, real estate management companies, construction companies, and other commercial clients.  Scott regularly and skillfully handles commercial landlord-tenant disputes and other lease interpretation matters.  He also represents clients, such as private clubs/liquor license holders, in administrative matters before Utah administrative agencies.  Although Scott’s practice does not focus on tort or personal injury law, Scott recently obtained a $3.4 million verdict in a products liability case in federal court.  Scott’s ability to successfully resolve varied, complex disputes undoubtedly is why his attorney peers have recognized him as among the best lawyers in Utah, as reflected by his “AV Preeminent” peer review rating from Martindale Hubbell.

Scott is admitted to practice law in every state and federal court in Utah, the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, and the United States Supreme Court.  Scott also successfully represents clients in mediations, arbitrations, and settlements.  

Scott lived in France for two years and speaks French fluently. He rides a bike to work most days and tries to play golf once a week with his partner Doug Griffith and his clients.

Meet Douglas E. Griffith.

Doug is a Kesler & Rust shareholder who has been with the firm since 1986.  Doug graduated from Brigham Young University Law School in 1983 and began working as an enforcement and trial attorney for the United States Securities & Exchange Commission (“SEC”) that same year.  As an SEC attorney, Doug prosecuted violations of Federal securities laws.  

Doug’s SEC experience provided the foundation for his current civil litigation practice, in which he represents individuals and firms in securities and fraud litigation, broker/dealer matters, and regulatory defense before the SEC and Utah’s securities divisions.  Doug also represents accountants and accounting firms in regulatory defense and other matters before the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”), an active regulatory agency overseeing the public auditing industry since its inception by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.

Doug’s litigation practice also focuses on construction law, from forming construction contracts to handling construction-related litigation, including mechanic's lien and construction bond claims.  Doug has contributed greatly to Utah’s construction industry, formerly serving as Chairman of the Construction of the Utah State Bar (of which he still is a member), representing the Associated General Contractors in matters before the Utah Supreme Court, and working with the Utah State Legislature in writing and revising laws affecting the construction industry.

Doug represents numerous, wide-ranging businesses, working with them in entity formation, contract preparation, business relationships, employment matters and civil litigation.  He enjoys his long-term and evolving relationship with his business clients and works as part of their team to ensure their continuing success. 

Doug also successfully represents individuals in a variety of matters.  As a recent example of successful representation, in early 2016, Doug obtained a $1,500,000 settlement for a client in a wrongful death action. 

Like Kesler & Rust’s other shareholders, Doug has received recognition as one of Utah’s best lawyers, achieving an “AV Preeminent” peer review rating from Martindale Hubbell and designation as one of the top 25 civil trial attorneys in Utah Business Magazine.

Doug is admitted to practice law in every state and federal court in Utah and before the Federal Court of Claims.  Doug also obtains creative and successful solutions for clients in settlement, mediations, and arbitrations.

When away from the office, Doug enjoys spending time with his children and grandchildren, traveling with his wife, golfing, biking, skiing, four-wheeling, snowmobiling, and escaping to the family cabin in Island Park, Idaho.

Reported Cases

• Electrical Contractors, Inc. v. Westwater Farms, LLC, 2016 UT App 60 (March 31, 2016)

Meet Ryan B. Hancey.

Ryan is a Kesler & Rust shareholder and a trial lawyer.  He has established a successful and diverse litigation practice, representing and defending clients in all kinds of business and commercial disputes, contractual disputes, real estate and landlord-tenant litigation, products liability and personal injury matters, and before administrative agencies.   

In just the past few months, Ryan obtained six-figure jury verdicts in a breach of contract case against a municipality and a breach of franchise agreement case, as well as a $3.4 million verdict in a products liability case in federal court.  During the same time frame, Ryan successfully defended clients at trial against a breach of construction contract claim and a $10 million alienation of affections claim.

Ryan has received recognition as one of Utah’s best lawyers, being named one of a handful of “Local Litigation Stars” in both 2013 and 2014 by the well-respected Benchmark Litigation publication.  He is admitted to practice law in every state and federal court in Utah, the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, and the United States Supreme Court.  

Ryan enjoys working out and playing basketball, and he is an avid water skier.

Reported Cases

• Hansen v. Harper Excavating, Inc., No. 20130163-CA, 2014 UT App 180 (July 31, 2014)
• Perez v. South Jordan City, 2014 WL 468882 (Utah Ct. App. 2014)
• Phillips v. South Jordan City, 307 P.3d 659 (Utah Ct. App. 2013)
• Taylorsville City v. Taylorsville City Employee Appeal Bd., 298 P.3d 1270 (Utah Ct. App. 2013)
• Perez v. South Jordan City, 296 P.3d 715 (Utah 2013)
• Fierro v. Park City Mun. Corp., 295 P.3d 696 (Utah Ct. App. 2012)
• Rosen v. Saratoga Springs City, 288 P.3d 606 (Utah Ct. App. 2012)
• Rapela v. Green, 289 P.3d 428 (Utah 2012)
• Hansen v. Harper Excavating, Inc., 641 F.3d 1216 (10th Cir. 2011)
• Guenon v. Division of Peace Officer Standards and Training, 251 P.3d 851 (Utah Ct. App. 2011)
• Guenon v. Midvale City, 230 P.3d 1032 (Utah Ct. App. 2010)
• Thomson v. Salt Lake County, 584 F.3d 1304 (10th Cir. 2009)
• Nikols v. Goodman & Chesnoff, 206 P.3d 295 (Utah Ct. App. 2009)
• Advanced Restoration, L.L.C. v. Priskos, 126 P.3d 786 (Utah Ct. App. 2005)
• In Re Bushman, 311 B.R. 91 (Bkrtcy.D.Utah 2004)

Meet Adam L. Grundvig.

Adam is a Kesler & Rust shareholder and litigator.  He joined the firm in 2008 after graduating from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, where he graduated with honors, was a William H. Leary scholar, an editor of the Journal of Law and Family Studies, earned awards for the highest grade in three classes (Legislative Process, Scientific Forensic Evidence, and Juvenile Justice), and was recognized by his classmates as classmate of the year.  

Since becoming a member of the Utah bar, Adam has focused his law practice on litigation, with an emphasis on personal injury, products liability, labor and employment, construction, and commercial cases.  He has successfully represented a variety of businesses and individuals in settlements, mediations and arbitrations, administrative, and litigation proceedings in Utah state and federal courts.  As examples of recent successes, in 2016, Adam helped two of the firm's clients obtain $1,050,000 and $1,500,000 settlements in personal injury and wrongful death actions.

Before attending law school, Adam obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Behavioral Science and Health Care from the University of Utah.  He worked in the health care industry (most particularly, cancer research administration and compliance) for nearly a decade, during which he gained invaluable experience and insight that he uses regularly in his law practice.

When not at the office, you may find Adam at a local live music theatre, a sporting event, or enjoying the outdoors with his family.  Adam also enjoys creative writing, stand-up comedy, reading, and playing both real and fantasy sports.

Reported Cases

• Electrical Contractors, Inc. v. Westwater Farms, LLC, 2016 UT App 60 (March 31, 2016)
• Hansen v. Harper Excavating, Inc., No. 20130163-CA, 2014 UT App 180 (July 31, 2014)

Publications

Ledbetter v. Goodyear: The U.S. Supreme Court Rubs Salt in Plaintiffs' Disparate Pay Title VII Wounds

Meet Scott S. Bridge.

Scott is a Kesler & Rust shareholder.  He joined the firm in 2008 after graduating from Saint Louis University School of Law in the top 10% of his class and as a Dean’s Scholar.  During law school, Scott worked as an intern for Judge Robert Dowd of the Missouri Court of Appeals.

Over the last decade, Scott has built a practice focused on commercial litigation with emphases in business, real estate, landlord/tenant and construction law.  He represents businesses and individuals alike in arbitrations and litigation proceedings in Utah state and federal courts.  Scott also represents clients with regard to commercial transactions, real estate transactions, and foreclosures.  Scott is an active member of the litigation, construction law, and real property law sections of the Utah bar.  He is currently serving as the past chair of the Construction Law Section.  Scott has also been recongnized as a Utah Legal Elite by Utah Business Magazine and as a Utah Super Lawyer by Super Lawyer Magazine, both in the area of construction law. 

Before law school, Scott earned a degree in political science at the University of Utah.  In 2003, Scott interned with the Supreme Court of the United States for a semester in Washington, D. C.  It was during his time at the Supreme Court that Scott was convinced he wanted to become a trial attorney.  Scott graduated from the “U” in 2005.     

Scott is an outdoor enthusiast with a particular love for cycling, mountain biking and hiking.  He also enjoys attending collegiate sporting events and spending time with his wife, Kelley, and their four children.  Scott and his family live in the East Millcreek area of Salt Lake City, near Millcreek Canyon.

REPORTED CASES

• Airport Park Salt Lake City LP v. 42 Hotel SLC LLC, 2016 UT App 137, 378 P.3d 117
• Hansen v. Harper Excavating, Inc., 2014 UT App 180, 332 P.3d 969
• Nikols v. Chesnoff, 435 Fed.Appx. 766 (10th Cir., 2011)

Meet J. Adam Knorr.

Adam joined Kesler & Rust in 2014 after graduating from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law with high honors.  He was selected to represent his law school in the National Moot Court Team, and received the highest grades in Property Law, Family Law Seminar, State & Local Government, as well as the Outstanding Academic Achievement award in Land Use Control.  Also, he was awarded a fellowship with Professor Paul G. Cassell, former U.S. District Court Judge for the District of Utah.  Additionally, Adam served as clerk to the Honorable Judge Lynn W. Davis of the 4th District Court in Provo, Utah.

Adam’s practice involves all aspects of litigation, including family law, personal injury, contract disputes, property law, and criminal cases.  Adam is licensed to practice in Utah’s state and federal courts.

Prior to law school, Adam graduated summa cum laude from Westminster College with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a minor in Justice Studies.

When at home, Adam enjoys religious studies, rock music, and spending time with his wife, Jessica.  He is also a Green Bay Packers enthusiast and an ardent Van Halen fan.

PUBLICATIONS

"Epilogue: Recent Cases in Property Distribution," The Utah Journal of Family Law, Volume 2 Fall/Winter 2011, Number 2. Utah State Bar: Family Law Section

"The War Crime of Genocide: A Critique of America's Approach to Protected Groups," Global Justice Blog, September 24, 2013. Center for Global Justice at the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law

Meet Joseph C. Rust.

Joseph co-founded Kesler & Rust in 1980 after practicing law for 12 years with Salt Lake City law firm, Kirton & McConkie, which hired Joseph after he graduated Order of the Coif from the University of Utah College of Law in 1968.  Joseph built Kesler & Rust upon his unabashed commitment to clients—providing quality legal solutions at fair and reasonable rates.  This commitment formed the lifeblood of Kesler & Rust’s relationships with its very first clients, most of which remain clients of the firm today.  All Kesler & Rust attorneys and staff have embraced Joseph’s commitment to clients.

Joseph has established an extensive and successful law practice in commercial litigation, personal injury and products liability, real property acquisitions and sales, landlord-tenant relations, construction law, and estate planning.  Joseph’s attorney peers have recognized him as among the best lawyers in Utah, as reflected by his “AV Preeminent” review rating from Martindale Hubbell.  He is admitted to practice law in every state and federal court in Utah, the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, and the United States Supreme Court.  

Joseph also is active with the American Arbitration Association and State of Utah Court-Annexed ADR Program as both a mediator and arbitrator.  Whether a client needs a seasoned litigator or an experienced advocate in a different form of dispute resolution, Joseph is capable.

Joseph has been and continued to be active in civic and community service organizations.  He is fluent in the German language and has a reading knowledge of French and Czech.  He also has a love for people and history.

Meet Ashley Garbe Smith.

Ashley Garbe Smith is a Kesler & Rust associate and litigator.  She joined the firm in 2018 after graduating from the J. Reuben Clark Law School at Brigham Young University, where she represented the law school on the National Moot Court Team as an oralist and appellate brief writer, received the award for “Top Appellate Brief” in moot court, was a Legal Writing teaching assistant, and received the highest grades in Civil Trial Practice, Civil Discovery, Legal Writing, and Legal Drafting. Before joining Kesler & Rust as an attorney, Ashley worked as a legal assistant for five years.

Ashley’s practice involves all aspects of litigation and other practice areas including commercial and business, trademark and copyright, real estate, construction, estate planning, and probate.  

Before attending law school, Ashley graduated cum laude from the University of Utah with a Bachelor of Arts in English.  Ashley also worked for a startup web development company where she wrote and structured website content for search engine optimization and managed the company’s social media and online presence. 

Ashley is also a musician who has toured nationally with several bands as a keyboardist and singer.  She wrote and produced her own album in 2012 and continues to write and perform original music.  Ashley loves listening to true crime podcasts and spending time outdoors with her two energetic boys and husband.