Bio

Paul Durham was named Salt Lake City “Lawyer of the Year” in Litigation – Real Estate for 2014 by U.S. News Media Group and Best Lawyers in America. Mr. Durham began practicing law in 1980 and founded Durham Jones & Pinegar (D|J|P) in 1991. He has helped grow the firm from two lawyers in 1991 to more than 90 lawyers today. Mr. Durham is recognized nationally as a leading attorney in the areas of real estate law, corporate law and litigation. He was named one of the Top 100 Lawyers in the Mountain States in 2013-2014 and 2016-2017 by Super Lawyers Magazine. Mr. Durham is rated “AV Preeminent” by Martindale-Hubbell, which is the highest rating awarded to attorneys for professional competence and ethics.

In real estate matters, Mr. Durham counsels clients regarding complex development projects, hotel and resort properties, office buildings, retail properties, residential developments, multi-use projects, industrial parks, apartment buildings, condominiums, and raw land. He advises clients with respect to purchases and sales of real property, leasing, joint venture agreements, development agreements, land-use matters, construction activities, real estate-based financing, condemnations, easements and other property interests. He led a team which handled all the real estate work associated with the purchase of over 30 grocery stores located in Utah, Idaho and Nevada in a single transaction. He also handled the due diligence and acquisition of 14 premier fitness club locations throughout Alaska.

Regarding corporate law matters, Mr. Durham represents companies in mergers, acquisitions, spin-offs, and joint ventures. He has substantial experience with the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976. He advises companies on corporate and limited liability laws. He drafts and reviews legal opinion letters and is the chair of the firm’s Legal Opinion Committee. He has handled numerous stock and asset transactions involving the purchase or sale of construction companies, chemical companies, resort hotels, car dealerships, etc.

Mr. Durham represents and advises clients in civil litigation involving real estate and commercial matters. He has experience trying cases before courts and juries. He has handled appeals to state and federal appellate courts in Utah, Idaho and the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals. He is admitted to practice law in all state and federal courts of Utah and Idaho, in the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals and in the U.S. Supreme Court. Mr. Durham recently defended a case involving a multi-week trial with claims totaling 45 million dollars, with no damages assessed against his client.

Mr. Durham received the Professionalism Award from the Utah State Bar in November, 2012. He is listed in Best Lawyers in America (in the areas of real estate, corporate law, and litigation). He was featured in Forbes Magazine (June, 2004), is regularly listed in Chambers, Super Lawyers Magazine, and is among Utah’s “Legal Elite” according to Utah Business Magazine.

Mr. Durham served as President and CEO of D|J|P from its inception in 1991 to 2007. He served as a member of D|J|P’s Board of Directors from 1991 to present. He is currently General Counsel to the firm. As D|J|P’s General Counsel, Mr. Durham provides legal advice to D|J|P management and attorneys, and coordinates the firm’s legal affairs. He also chairs D|J|P’s Ethics Committee, and addresses issues involving the rules of professional ethics.

Paul M. Durham

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