A photo showing Utah Supreme Court Justices. Nehring is standing and is farthest to the left. Image courtesy utcourts.gov
SALT LAKE CITY — Utah Supreme Court Justice Ronald Nehring is retiring after 11 years on the court and 19 years as a judge.
Nehring was appointed to the Supreme Court by Gov. Mike Leavitt in 2003. The state senate spent more time questioning him than any candidate in the court’s recent history, asking him questions about his health and his religion.
Nehring had cancer at the time, and he is the only non-Mormon justice on the state’s highest court.
Chief Justice Matthew Durant said Nehring was known for his clear writing, and for his wit and intellect.
“He will be missed by the citizens of this state, by the bar, and by us,” he said. “We’ll miss his gracious way, his delightful wit and many, many other things. He is a genuinely great man, and we salute him for the great service he has rendered to the citizens of the state.”
Nehrings retirement becomes final in February, at which point Gov. Gary Herbert will appoint a replacement.
