Gov. Gary R. Herbert appointed Catherine S. Conklin to fill a vacancy on the Second District Court bench, officials said Monday.
“Catherine possesses both outstanding skills and a breadth of practice areas that will make her an asset to the bench,” the governor said. “She has demonstrated a commitment to serving the people of Utah and will now do so as a judge.”
Conklin is appointed to the position, which is currently held by Judge Michael D. Lyon, who will retire September 1.
Judicial appointments are subject to confirmation by the Utah State Senate, a press release from the governor’s office stated.
“I am honored and humbled to have been selected from such a qualified field of candidates,” Conklin said. “I am grateful for the opportunity to serve the people in the Second Judicial District.”
Conklin was admitted to the Utah Bar in 1996, the release stated. Since that time, she has practiced in a variety of areas including domestic, criminal, and civil litigation.
Conklin also taught as an adjunct professor in the Criminal Justice Department at Weber State University.
In 2007, Conklin left private practice to serve as a domestic relations commissioner for the Second District Court, the release stated.
Conklin serves on various councils, committees and associations, including the Judicial Council Standing Committee on Education and the Family Law Executive Committee. Conklin also serves as co-editor-in-chief of the Utah Journal of Family Law.
Conklin earned her law degree from Hastings College of Law at University of California in 1996. She received a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Weber State University in 1991, graduating magna cum laude.
