SALT LAKE CITY (October 15, 2026) - The Fourth District Judicial Nominating Commission has selected nominees for two vacancies on the Fourth District Court. These vacancies will result from the retirements of Judge Derek Pullan, Dec. 16, 2026 and Judge Kasey Wright, Dec. 31, 2026.

The nominees for the vacancies are: Rebecca Buchert, career law clerk, United States District Court, District of Utah; Patrick Finlinson, assistant attorney general, Office of the Utah Attorney General; Michael Hinckley, assistant attorney general, Office of the Utah Attorney General; Samuel Pead, assistant United States attorney, United States Attorney's Office; Richard Roberts, senior assistant city attorney, Provo City; and Meagan Rudd, partner/attorney, The Rudd Firm, P.C.

Written comments may be submitted to the Department of Criminal Justice at [email protected] or Department of Criminal Justice, P.O. Box 142330, Salt Lake City, UT 84114-2330. The deadline for written comments is noon Oct. 25, 2026.

After the public comment period, the names will be certified and sent to Gov. Spencer J. Cox, who will have 30 days to make the appointments. Gov. Cox's appointees are subject to confirmation by the Utah Senate.

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