Rodney R. Parker

Rodney Parker leads the firm’s appellate practice. Rodney’s practice focuses on civil and criminal appeals, family law and general litigation.

Rodney has handled more than 100 appeals in federal and state courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court, the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals, the Utah Supreme Court, the Utah Court of Appeals, and the Arizona Court of Appeals. He has served on the Utah Supreme Court Advisory Committee on the Rules of Appellate Procedure.

In addition, Rodney is a recognized resource on First Amendment cases that involve freedom of religion. Rodney has represented the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in a number of challenges to the group’s beliefs and practices, including a challenge to the Utah bigamy law that went to the United States Supreme Court. In the wake of the 2008 YFZ Ranch raid, in which the court removed 462 children from the Ranch, Rodney was the group’s media spokesman.

His family law practice often involves custody disputes that encompass religious beliefs. He also uses his business finance background to advise clients in the area of divorce, especially in situations involving division of significant marital estates and business assets.

Rodney is experienced in all aspects of litigation — including discovery, motion practice, evidentiary hearings, trial, and appeal. He has litigated cases involving a wide range of general and business disputes, including product liability, professional liability, employment, ERISA, and patent disputes. He offers broad experience in computerized litigation support.

Before joining the firm, Rodney served as Associate Deputy Attorney General on the immediate staff of the Deputy Attorney General of the United States in Washington, D.C. In that position, he exercised the DAG’s oversight function for the Lands and Natural Resources Division and the Civil Division.

Rodney heads our Appellate Practice Group, which assists clients with appealing civil and criminal matters. The Appellate Practice Group also prepares an Appellate Highlights article for the Utah Bar Journal. This article, which is published six times a year, highlights notable cases decided by the Utah Supreme Court, Utah Court of Appeals, and Tenth Circuit.

Rodney served as President of Snow Christensen & Martineau from 2019-2021.

Rodney has always liked the technical side of things. At work, he likes to fix clients’ legal problems. Outside of the office, Rodney likes to fix things — especially classic cars including Corvettes, Mustangs and Land Rovers. Rodney makes improvements around the house and at his cabin, where he enjoys stargazing with his collection of telescopes.