Jacey Skinner

Jacey Skinner has held a variety of senior leadership roles in Utah state government. Before joining Ballard Spahr, served as General Counsel to Utah Gov. Gary Herbert from 2013 to 2017. 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 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 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.

Her expertise includes all areas of government related legal issues. She has extensive experience in administrative and regulatory, and licensing issues, legislative affairs, procurement matters, OPMA, GRAMA, advising boards and commissions, and Utah policy.

Judicial Clerkships

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

Professional Activities

Utah State Bar, Dorathy Merrill Brothers Award for the Advancement of Women in the Legal Profession, 2019

Utah Minority Bar Association, Jimi Mitsunaga Excellence in the Law Award, 2019

Utah Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice, Award for significant contribution to the State, 2014

Utah Business Coalition member, 2019-Present

National Association of Sentencing Commissions, Board Member 2010- 2012, President, 2012-2014

Utah Supreme Court Advisory Committee on the Rules of Evidence, 2012-2019

Utah State Bar Future of the Law Commission

Utah Office of Guardian Ad Litem Oversight Committee

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

Speaking Engagements

Frequent speaker and presenter at public sector and private sector conferences and university and law school classes

Board Memberships

Utah State University, Board of Trustees 2019- Present

And Justice For All, Board of Directors, 2019-Present

Utah Center for Legal Inclusion, Board member, Advancement Committee Co-Chair, 2017- Present

Governor’s Covid-19 Economic Response Task Force, Industry Response Chair, 2020

Governor’s Education Excellence Committee 2019-Present

Utah Commission on Housing Affordability, 2019- Present

State of Utah Records Management Committee, 2019- Present

BioUtah Board member, 2020

Utah Department of Human Services, Systems of Care Regional Chair, 2019-2020

Best Buddies Utah, Advisory Board, 2007-2011

Community Activities

Special Olympics, 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