Firm Overview

A Law Firm Helping Clients Across the Intermountain West

Parsons Behle & Latimer was founded in 1882 and is one of the oldest and best known law firms offering litigation and business law services in the intermountain region and throughout the central and western U.S. Our first clients were in the business of mining — one of the major industries that helped fuel the growth of the area. Over time, our lawyers' reputation for excellence has grown along with the dynamic success of our clients in the region.

Unique solutions to complex needs

Best Lawyers in America ranks Parsons Behle & Latimer the top firm in Utah for commercial litigation, energy law, environmental law, water law and natural resources law. We are also ranked as the top firm in Salt Lake City for commercial litigation. Our firm is currently ranked highest in the nation for water law. Thirty-five of the firm's attorneys are listed in the 2008 edition of Best Lawyers in America.

The Chambers USA Client’s Guide ranks Parsons Behle & Latimer’s Utah and Nevada practices among the highest in general commercial litigation, environment, labor and employment, labor and employment – ERISA, real estate, intellectual property and corporate/M&A. Chambers says, “This full-service firm has a weighty reputation and enjoys a good rate of work, brought in by its traditional client base.” Attorneys Elisabeth Blattner-Thompson, Kimberly Chytraus, Ross de Lipkau, Ray Etcheverry, Shawn Ferrin, Mark Gavre, Earl Hill, Geoff Mangum, Kevin Speirs, Fran Wikstrom and Mike Zody are listed in the Chambers Client’s Guide.

Litigation

We have one of the largest litigation departments in the Intermountain West. Our trial lawyers take an interdisciplinary approach to seeking cost-effective resolutions through litigation and arbitration/mediation methods. We assemble appropriate teams for each client need, allowing us to address a client’s concerns in the most efficient manner possible. This gives our clients the benefits of multiple, informed viewpoints based on years of business acumen. We practice before federal and state courts, administrative agencies, and arbitration panels. Representative areas of trial practice are: commercial litigation, natural resources and environmental, intellectual property, antitrust, securities, banking, insolvency, personal injury, products liability, mass media and white collar criminal law.

Employment law group

We focus our attention on the needs of employers. Our labor and employment law practice is the broadest and most extensive in Utah. Many of our attorneys practice exclusively in the labor and employment law area and a number of others devote a portion of their practice to individual matters. Areas of representation include defense representation for wrongful discharge and discrimination, and sexual harassment. In addition, we also provide experienced outside legal counsel in the areas of employee benefits and ERISA, workers’ compensation, OSHA and MSHA, immigration and National Labor Relations Act.

Intellectual property group

The intellectual property department is a team of attorneys and paralegals who represent our clients in all aspects of intellectual property, technology and computer law, including: representation before the Patent and Trademark Office and the Copyright Office; litigation in state and federal courts throughout the country; contract and other transactional matters; and international intellectual property protection and licensing.

Corporate law group

Members of Parsons Behle & Latimer’s corporate and tax department regularly participate in the negotiation and documentation of complex business transactions, furnishing timely advice about securities, tax, environmental, employment law and other issues. A significant percentage of the department’s work involves international transactions. We regularly advise clients concerning business, corporate and securities, tax, international business, regulatory and administrative, energy and government relations.

Real estate and finance law

These department members represent land developers, retailers, commercial banks, savings and loans, mortgage companies, and other financial institutions. They also handle all aspects of real estate transactions, including acquisition, finance, development, condominium and PUD documentation, and zoning and land use regulations.

Environmental law, energy, and natural resources group

Parsons Behle & Latimer has one of the largest environmental, energy and natural resources practices in the western United States. Over 20 attorneys — many with state and federal regulatory agency backgrounds, including employment with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; U.S. Department of Justice; the President’s Council on Environmental Quality, and the Utah Department of Natural Resources — advise corporate and individual clients on virtually all aspects of environmental, energy and natural resources law. Our practice is national and international in scope with particular emphasis on the western United States and Latin America. The areas of practice include mining, oil and gas, water rights, public lands, energy and electrical power, air and water quality, hazardous waste, Superfund and Brownfields, and occupational issues. In these and other areas we advise and assist clients with regard to transactions and finance, project development and closure, property acquisition and title, permitting, compliance, enforcement, cost recovery, rate cases, litigation, rulemakings and legislation.

Tax planning and litigation

Our tax lawyers provide comprehensive tax solutions that are dynamic and innovative. They also provide estate planning services focused on maximizing asset protection, minimizing estate and gift tax liability and reducing administrative costs.

We are dedicated to offering a complete range of litigation and business services to all types of industries. Responsiveness to clients’ needs has been the long-standing commitment of Parsons Behle & Latimer. Our approach is creative and preventive; we strive to anticipate and resolve clients’ legal problems as promptly and efficiently as possible.

Contact our offices to schedule a consultation about your legal matter.