Wesley D. Hutchins

Mr. Hutchins is an experienced litigator who specializes in family law, business litigation, and personal injury. He earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Utah College of Law in 1993, graduating Order of the Coif in the top 10% of his class, and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Brigham Young University. Over more than three decades of practice, Mr. Hutchins has built extensive experience in insurance defense, personal injury, family law, adoption law, contract disputes, and general commercial litigation, appearing before the Utah Court of Appeals, the Utah Supreme Court, the Tenth Circuit, and the United States Supreme Court, with published decisions including Harline v. Drug Enforcement Administration and In the Matter of the Adoption of D.K.A.T.

He is also the founder of High Peak Mediation, drawing on nearly 800 mediations conducted throughout his career, and has been active in Utah legislative reform, most recently contributing to the passage of HB 51 in the 2026 legislative session. A longtime leader in the adoption law community, he has served as President of both the Utah Adoption Council and the Utah Council for Ethical Adoption Practices, and his work has drawn national media attention, including features on Netflix and PBS's Frontline. Fluent in Spanish with additional proficiency in French, Mr. Hutchins is committed to combining his legal expertise with a collaborative, client-centered approach to problem-solving.

• Practice Areas
  • Family Law
  • Business Litigation
  • Personal Injury
  • Mediation
  • Contract Law
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Insurance Defense
  • Adoption Law

• Admitted
  • Utah
  • U.S. District Court (Utah)
  • U.S. Court of Appeals
  • U.S. Supreme Court

• Education 
  • Brigham Young University, B.A. 
  • University of Utah College of Law

• Published Opinions
  • Federal
    • Harline v. Drug Enforcement Administration, 148 F.3d 1199 (10th Cir. 1998), cert. denied ; case finally reversed in favor of client during administrative appeal of DEA certification.
    • Freedman v. Smith, 2007 U.S. Dist. Ct. Utah LEXIS 52444.
    • Learnframe, Inc. v. Trifus, LLC, 2007 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 155225.
    • Pedersen v. Hartford Insurance, 2004 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 16300; (Utah tornado victim case).
    • Stanger v. Am. Home Prods. Corp., 2003 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 9839.
  • State
    • In the Matter of the Adoption of D.K.A.T., 559 P.3d 455 (Utah App. 2024)
    • Navajo Nation v. State, 2010 Utah LEXIS 155 (Utah 2010).
    • Eagar v. Burrows, 191 P.3d 9 (Utah 2008).
    • Harline v. Barker, 912 Pl2d 433 (Utah 1996).
    • Colonial Pacific Leasing Corp. v. J.W.C.J.R. Corp., 977 P.2d 541 (Utah App. 1999).
    • Pendleton v. Pendleton, 918 P.2d 159 (Utah App. 1996).
    • Pace v. Cummins Engine Co., 0905 P.2d 308 (Utah App. 1995).
      
      

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If you have a legal issue and need competent and responsive legal counsel in Utah, the attorneys of Hanks & Peterson Law PLLC are here to help. Our divorce attorneys in Salt Lake City apply tenacity, judgment and high ethical standards to every area of our practice. If you are going through a legal dispute in your personal or business life or if you need legal counsel for an upcoming transaction or venture, Hanks & Peterson Law PLLC offers an effective alternative to impersonal and expensive big firms. Call us today at 1-855-888-5608 or contact us online.

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