Gov. Gary R. Herbert has appointed Diana Hagen and Ryan Harris to fill current vacancies on the Utah Court of Appeals.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to appoint Ryan Harris and Diana Hagen to the Utah Court of Appeals,” Gov. Herbert said. “In the six years since I appointed Judge Harris to the district court bench, he has earned a reputation as one of the finest trial judges in the state. He has demonstrated a superior intellect, and has become known for his writing and thorough legal analysis. I am confident these skills will serve him well on the Court of Appeals, and am proud to make this appointment.”
In 2011, Harris was appointed by Gov. Herbert to serve as a judge on the Third District Court. Prior to this service, Harris practiced at Jones, Waldo, Holbrook & McDonough in Salt Lake City from 1999-2011, where he maintained a general civil law practice in both state and federal courts, focused on civil litigation and appellate advocacy. Harris also served as an adjunct professor at the S.J. Quinney College of Law at the University of Utah, where he taught a constitutional law based class on federal courts. Harris received a B.A. in political science from Brigham Young University a Juris Doctor from Stanford Law School.
“I am excited about being nominated to the Utah Court of Appeals, and incredibly honored and humbled by the confidence that Gov. Herbert has shown me,” Harris said. “It has been a privilege to serve as a trial court judge for the past six years, and I look forward to the opportunity to serve the citizens of Utah in a different capacity.”
Diana Hagen currently serves as First Assistant United States Attorney for the United States Attorney in the District of Utah. Prior to being appointed as First Assistant, Hagen also served as chief of the Appellate Section, and as an Assistant United States Attorney. Hagen also served as an adjunct professor of law at the University of Utah, where she taught courses on appellate practice and advocacy and coached intercollegiate moot court teams. Hagen also briefly practiced as an attorney with Parr, Waddoups, Brown, Gee & Loveless in Salt Lake City, and as a judicial clerk for the United States District Court. Hagen received a B.A. in speech communication and a Juris Doctor from the University of Utah.
“Diana Hagen is one of the finest appellate advocates in the state. As the current First Assistant in the United States Attorney’s Office and the criminal appellate chief prior, Diana has developed a unique expertise in the realm of appellate advocacy,” Gov. Herbert said. “Her background, experience and temperament will be a valuable addition to Utah’s Court of Appeals.”
“As a lifelong Utahn and career public servant, I’m honored and grateful to Gov. Herbert for this opportunity to serve the state of Utah in a new capacity,” Hagen said. “If confirmed to the Utah Court of Appeals, I will be committed to continuing the court’s legacy of excellence, integrity and fidelity to the law.”
Subject to confirmation by the Utah Senate, Hagen and Harris will fill the vacancies created by the retirement of Judge J. Frederic Voros, Jr. and Judge Stephen Roth.
