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John Nielsen
John Nielsen is a judge of the Utah Supreme Court. Nielsen assumed office on December 1, 2025. Nielsen's current term ends on January 6, 2031.
Appointments
Utah Supreme Court (2025-present)
Spencer Cox (R) appointed Nielsen to the Utah Supreme Court on October 14, 2025 to replace John A. Pearce (Nonpartisan).[1]
State supreme court judicial selection in Utah
- See also: Judicial selection in Utah
The five justices of the supreme court are selected through assisted appointment. The governor selects a nominee from a list of recommended candidates from a judicial nominating commission. The nominee then must attain approval from the Utah Senate.
New appointees serve for at least three years, after which they must run in a yes-no retention election. If retained, supreme court justices serve subsequent terms of ten years.[2]
Qualifications
To serve on the Utah Supreme Court, a judge must be:
- a citizen of the United States;
- a state resident for at least five years;
- admitted to practice law in the state;
- at least 30 years old; and
- no more than 75 years old.[2]
Chief justice
The chief justice of the supreme court is selected by peer vote. The chief justice of the supreme court serves in that capacity for four years.[2]
Vacancies
When a vacancy occurs on the court, the governor appoints a replacement from a list of seven names recommended by a nominating commission. The nominee then must attain approval from the Utah Senate. New appointees serve for at least three years, after which they must run in a yes-no retention election. If retained, supreme court justices serve subsequent terms of ten years.[2]
The map below highlights how vacancies are filled in state supreme courts across the country.
See also
External links
Footnotes
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by John A. Pearce |
Utah Supreme Court 2025-Present |
Succeeded by - |
Federal courts:
Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: District of Utah • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: District of Utah
State courts:
Utah Supreme Court • Utah Court of Appeals • Utah District Courts • Utah Juvenile Courts • Utah Justice Courts
State resources:
Courts in Utah • Utah judicial elections • Judicial selection in Utah
