James Z. Davis facts for kids

James Z. Davis (December 16, 1943 – February 27, 2016) was an American judge on the Utah Court of Appeals.

Early life and education

James "Jim" Z. Davis was born in 1943 in Salt Lake City, Utah. He attended college at the University of Utah, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science. Davis was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. He received his law degree from the University of Utah College of Law in 1968. After graduation, Davis served in the Army military intelligence for two years, ending in 1970. He toured as a Combat Intelligence Analyst in Vietnam. Judge Davis retired in November 2015.

Davis died February 27, 2016.

Legal career

From 1971 to 1977 Davis was in private practice, practicing in Ogden, Utah. In 1973 he became the Deputy Weber County Attorney and Weber County Police Legal Adviser. In 1977 he joined the Ogden law firm Thatcher, Glasmann, and Davis where he practiced until 1982. Davis then joined the Salt Lake City based firm of Ray, Quinney and Nebeker where he worked as a shareholder and director until his appointment to the bench. As a lawyer, Davis concentrated his practice in Commercial Real Estate, Bankruptcy and Banking.

Davis was elected President of the Utah State Bar in 1991. Judge Davis was appointed to the Utah Court of Appeals in 1993 by Governor Michael O. Leavitt. He served a two-year term as presiding judge in January 1999 and is currently serving as presiding judge.

Judicial career

Judge Davis was certified by the Utah Judicial Council to stand for retention in 2008 and was successfully retained in office by the Utah voters for the third time.