Jacey Skinner

Jacey Skinner is a government relations lawyer who has held a variety of senior leadership roles in Utah state government. Before joining Ballard Spahr, she served as General Counsel to Governor Gary R. Herbert. In that role, she negotiated legislation, oversaw the Governor's legislative review and bill signing, coordinated litigation with the Attorney General's Office, advised the Governor, his cabinet, and the Lieutenant Governor on legal, policy, and ethical issues, and oversaw Gov. Herbert's judicial appointment process.

She has also served as the Deputy State Court Administrator for the State of Utah, where she facilitated policy development and managed relations with the state legislature, executive branch agencies, the Utah Judicial Council, and the Utah Supreme Court.

Her experience additionally includes serving as Director of the Utah Sentencing Commission and President of the National Association of Sentencing Commissions, where she oversaw sentencing guidelines, assisted with judicial appointments, and advised the legislature, judiciary, and Governor's Office on sentencing policy. Jacey was a Deputy District Attorney from 2003 to 2009 at the Salt Lake County District Attorney's office, where she tried both felony and juvenile cases and oversaw policy development and advocacy as Vice Chair of the Statewide Association of Prosecutors Legislative Action Committee.

Ms. Skinner has extensive experience in legislative affairs, regulatory and licensing issues, regulatory issues, procurement matters, administrative law and government investigations, among other areas. Additionally, she has extensive experience advising both government agencies and boards and independent and quasi-independent state entities in Open Public Meeting Act issues and Government Records and Management Act matters and requests.

Judicial Clerkships

Judge Steven L. Hansen, Utah Fourth Judicial District, 2002-2003

Professional Activities

Utah Supreme Court Advisory Committee on the Rules of Evidence, 2012-present

Utah State Bar Future of the Law Commission 

General Counsel and Vice President of Public Policy, Salt Lake Chamber, 2019-present

Center For State Governments Toll Fellow, 2017

Speaking Engagements

Frequent speaker and presenter at government and private sector conferences and events, bar events, legislative hearings, government task forces and commissions, and university and law school classes.

Recognition & Accomplishments

Utah State Bar, Dorathy Merrill Brothers Award in recognition of efforts to advance women in the legal profession, 2019

Utah Justice Court Judges, Amicus (Friend of the Court) Award, 2019

Utah Minority Bar Association, Jimi Mitsunga Award, for substantial contribution to mission of the Minority Bar, 2019

Utah Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice, Outstanding Service Award, 2013

Board Memberships

Utah State University Board of Trustees, 2019- present

And Justice For All Board of Directors, 2019-present

Chair, Systems of Care Salt Lake Area Regional Advisory Council, 2019-present

Utah Center for Legal Inclusion Board of Directors, 2018-present

Utah Records Management Committee member, 2019-present

Utah Housing Commission member, 2019-present

Governor’s Education Excellence Advisory Council, 2019-present

State of Utah Criminal Code Review Commission, 2018

State of Utah Victim Confidentiality Review Task Force, 2018

Utah Office of Guardian Ad Litem Oversight Committee, 2013-2017

Best Buddies Utah, Advisory Board member, 2007-2011

Community Activities

Special Olympics, volunteer

Homeless Youth Resource Center, volunteer

Brigham Young University, J. Reuben Clark Law School (J.D. 2002)
Trial Advocacy Team, Chair
Moot Court Team

Utah State University (B.A., cum laude, 1996)

Languages

Japanese

Utah