SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — Governor Spencer J. Cox has appointed Judge John Nielsen to the Utah Supreme Court.

The new Justice will replace Associate Chief Justice John Pearce who was appointed to the court in November 2015. Pearce will be retiring on Dec. 1.

In September, the Appellate Court Nominating Commission selected seven nominees for a vacancy on the Utah Supreme Court.

According to Utah State Courts, Judge Nielsen was appointed to the Third District Court in 2024 by Gov. Cox. He serves Salt Lake, Tooele, and Summit Counties.

He also serves as chair of the Utah Supreme Court's Appellate Representation Committee and previously served on the Evidence Rules Committee.

Judge Nielsen was also an Assistant Solicitor General in the Utah Attorney General's Office, and a Deputy Utah Count

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