Dani Cepernich

Of Counsel
Contact
P 801.322.9264 | F 801.363.0400
Spencer Fane attorney Dani Cepernich

Overview

Dani assists clients throughout Utah in navigating various water and land use matters, as well as handling state and federal appeals.

Through her water practice, Dani represents special districts, cities, counties, water users associations, irrigation companies, ranchers, individuals, and businesses in all aspects of Utah water law. This includes representation in administrative processes before the Utah State Engineer, negotiation and execution of water right transactions, and litigation.  She also assists this clientele with real property disputes, condemnation, contract review, bidding for construction projects, and other aspects of their daily operations.

Dani additionally serves municipalities and counties in the land use context. She provides advice in connection with land use applications, assists in the drafting of development agreements and ordinances, and represents these governmental entities in land use litigation, including judicial review actions. Additionally, she serves as counsel for hearing officers, boards of adjustment, and appeal authorities in administrative land use appeals.

Dani is also a respected appellate lawyer, representing clients in civil and criminal appeals in state and federal courts. She regularly presents appellate updates to industry groups and associations within the legal community and publishes Utah Appellate Summaries in the Utah Bar Magazine bi-monthly.

Dani has an impressive educational background and served a judicial clerkship for U.S. District Judge Tena Campbell and Tenth Circuit Judge Monroe McKay. She is well-regarded by her colleagues for her knowledge, expertise, and intellect as a lawyer. Most importantly, Dani works closely with her clients and strives to find clear solutions and help them achieve their goals.

Credentials

Education

  • University of Southern California Law School, 2010 (J.D.)
  • California Polytechnic State University, 2007 (B.S.), summa cum laude

Bar Admissions

  • Utah
  • California

Court Admissions

  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the District of Utah
  • U.S. District Court for the District of California

  • Ronald McDonald House Charities, Board of Directors
  • Utah Open Lands, Advisory Council

  • Best Lawyers in America, Water Law, 2024
  • Mountain States Super Lawyers, Appellate Law, 2023
  • Utah State Bar, Young Lawyer of the Year, 2019

  • Salt Lake City Public Utilities Advisory Committee, Member; Former Chair
  • Salt Lake County Bar Association, Executive Committee
  • Federal Bar Association, Board Member
  • Utah Center for Legal Inclusion (UCLI), Mentor
  • Young Lawyer Division, Past President, 2017-2018
  • Utah State Bar Association
  • Utah Women of Water

  • “Legislation & Case Law Update,” Utah Water Law Symposium, St. George, Utah, March 2024
  • “Land Use Landscape; Peaks & Valleys,” Land Use Presentation for Olympus Insurance Spring Risk Conference, Lehi, Utah, March 2023
  • “2022-2023 Appellate Review: The Cases that (May) Affect You,” Salt Lake City, April 2023
  • Appellate Highlights, Utah Bar Journal (a recurring bi-monthly column)