Ogden, UT – Derek Brown, Utah’s Attorney General-elect, is set to officially take office on Monday, following a period of intense preparation and collaboration with a dedicated transition team. Since his victory in November, Brown has been working behind the scenes, assembling a group of approximately 40 volunteers with specialized expertise to ensure a smooth transition and to evaluate the operations of the Attorney General’s office.
The transition team, which includes professionals from a variety of fields, has gained direct access to the Utah Attorney General’s Office. Team members conducted interviews with the office’s hundreds of attorneys and staff to better understand its workings and identify areas for improvement. Key members of the team include local law enforcement leaders, such as Salt Lake County Sheriff Rosie Rivera, West Jordan Police Chief Ken Wallentine, Weber County Sheriff Ryan Arbon, and Wasatch County Sheriff Jared Rigby, who assisted in reviewing criminal investigations. Notably, Attorney Greg Skordas, a Democrat who ran for the office in 2020, was named co-chair of the transition team, contributing his insights on criminal prosecution.
In an interview with KSL.com, Brown explained the value of having a diverse group involved in the transition, noting that the inclusion of individuals across the political spectrum would foster a range of viewpoints. This, he believes, will ultimately help strengthen the office by providing fresh perspectives on potential improvements.
The team also includes former state representative V. Lowry Snow, Timothy Hawkes, and outgoing Utah State Auditor John Dougall. Brown specifically praised Dougall, calling him “perhaps the most vocal and effective engine of creating government efficiency” in the state. Dougall’s involvement, Brown said, underscores the importance of examining how to streamline operations and increase the effectiveness of the office.
One of Brown’s primary fiscal objectives is to ensure that the resources of the Attorney General’s office are spent efficiently. He has made it clear that he intends to scrutinize each legal action the office undertakes to ensure it benefits Utah directly. “What is the nexus with Utah?” Brown asked, emphasizing that every decision must be justified by its value to the state.
Brown also addressed the changing legal landscape in Utah, a key concern given the influx of large international law firms in the state in recent years. These firms, which were previously absent from Utah’s legal market, have had a profound impact on the local legal ecosystem. Firms such as Mayer Brown, which opened an office in Salt Lake City in 2022, and Kirkland & Ellis, which established a presence in 2021 and now employs over 100 attorneys locally, have reshaped the competitive landscape for talent. Brown acknowledged that this shift has created new challenges for the Attorney General’s office, including increased competition for skilled lawyers, rising salaries, and changes in supply and demand.
Despite these challenges, Brown expressed confidence in the caliber of attorneys currently working in the Attorney General’s office. With 280 attorneys on staff, Brown has been impressed with their skills and dedication. Many, he noted, could earn higher salaries in the private sector but choose to remain in public service.
Looking to the future, Brown is focused on modernizing the office by integrating new technologies, particularly artificial intelligence (AI). He emphasized that AI has become essential in modern legal practices, and the office must embrace this shift to remain competitive. “A few years ago, the mentality was that if you are using AI, maybe you’re committing malpractice,” Brown explained. “The shift now in the legal mindset is, if you’re not using AI, maybe you’re committing it because it’s so critical to the way that we now live and research and write.”
Brown’s vision for the office includes leveraging technological advancements to improve efficiency and effectiveness, ensuring that the Attorney General’s office remains agile in a rapidly changing legal environment.
The official inauguration ceremony for elected officials, including Brown, will take place on Wednesday at Eccles Theater in Salt Lake City. The event will be broadcast on PBS, marking the beginning of Brown’s tenure as Utah’s Attorney General.