I served as a Small Claims Judge Pro Tempore from 2012 to 2018. I performed this service 2-3 times per month in the Salt Lake City and Salt Lake County Justice Courts. I have practiced in the areas of family law, Hague Convention child abduction cases, criminal defense, tax controversies, and bankruptcy during the course of my career. I have tried hundreds of cases to verdict, and am a very experienced trial and appellate lawyer.
I keep abreast of changes in the law by attending continuing legal education courses inall four areas of law on a regular basis. I have appeared before judges and hearing commissioners throughout the State of Utah since 1999. I became licensed to practice law in the District of Columbia in 1991, and practiced law there for six years. I was a member of the Virginia State Bar from 1997-2010. I am also a member of the American Bar Association's Family Law and International Law Sections.
Regarding family law, I have been a member of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts for several years. This organization consists of clinical psychologists and family law attorneys and meets annually several times to discuss the best practice to deal with family law issues. I have attended several of their continuing legal education courses and regularly review their quarterly publications. I have represented scores of clients with family law matters in Utah since 1999. I have served as a private guardian ad litem in Utah. I also served as a private guardian ad litem in Washington, DC, for approximately six years.
Regarding Hague Convention child abduction cases, I have represented clients in both State and federal court on this kind of case. The cases move quickly, and if there is a valid defense, a party can schedule a trial also very quickly. I have found that because State court judges have more experience in child custody matters generally, the State Court is a better forum to bring these kinds of cases. A knowledge of international law is not needed when the case is filed in the United States.
Regrading criminal law, I was appointed counsel through the federal Criminal Justice Act in Washington, DC for approximately six years, and then in Utah for approximately five years. I have represented criminal defendants in serious cases like murder, armed carjacking, distribution of controlled substances, and sexual molestation of a minor – as well as various kinds of misdemeanor charges. I have represented a client on Utah’s death row, have argued his State habeas case before the Utah Supreme Court, and petitioned for the issuance of a writ of certiorari with the United States Supreme Court on his case.
I have also argued several appellate cases before various appellate courts, i.e., the Utah Court of Appeals, the Supreme Court of Virginia, the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, and the United States Tenth Circuit. I have approximately 20 published appellate opinioins, have petitioned the United States Supreme Court for the issuance of a writ of certiorari seven times, and have argued before the U.S. Tenth Circuit in Denver six times.
Regarding tax law, I worked for the IRS for approximately ten years either as a Revenue Officer, a Congressional Liaison, or as an Assistant District Counsel. I have reviewed several offers in compromise, reviewed IRS audits, and represented IRS before the US Tax Court. As a revenue officer, I was assigned scores of collection cases, and became intimately aware of the collection process – including how offers and compromises are prepared and accepted.
I believe that being well versed in these areas of law makes me a more effective advocate, counselor, and negotiator for my clients. Frequently issues arise in one are of law which involve other areas of law.
I offer a thirty minute free consultation. Please give me a call to discuss your case. I work in the Wells Fargo Building downtown and have free parking validation. Thanks.
Practice areas
Paternity, Child Custody, Guardianship, DCFS, Juvenile Delinquency, Protective Orders, Stalking Injunctions, Appeals< Modifications of Divorce Decrees, Relocation
21 years
Felonies and Misdemeanors, State and Federal
28 years
All Aspects of Divorce, Mediation
21 years
Audits, Offers in Compromise, Tax Court
30 years
Languages spoken
Spanish
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
UT | Active | 1995 | 01/07/2021 |
DC | Active | 1991 | 10/14/2017 |
Legal answers | 54 |
Legal guides | 0 |
Award name | Grantor | Date granted |
---|---|---|
Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 | Martindale-Hubbell | 2017 |
Superior Performance Award | Internal Revenue Service | 1986 |
Special Act Award | Internal Revenue Service | 1981 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Judge Pro Tempore | Utah Courts, Salt Lake City, Salt Lake County | 2012 - 2018 |
Attorney | Solo Practititoner | 1993 - 2017 |
Law Clerk, Judge Stephen Swift | United States Tax Court | 1988 - 1988 |
Revenue Officer, Congressional Liaison, Attorney | Internal Revenue Service | 1978 - 1992 |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Association of Family and Conciliation Courts | Member | 2015 - Present |
National Association of Counsel for Children | Member | 2007 - 2016 |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
American University, Washington College of Law | JD - Juris Doctor | 1990 |
Northwestern University | M.A.T. | 1976 |
Grinnell College | A.B. | 1973 |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Criminal Justice Updates and Current Issues | Maximizing Use of Expert Witnesses | 2008 |
First Year Students, University of Utah Law School | Legal Research | 2008 |
Mastering Jury Slection Skills for Criminal Attorneys | Utah's Mandatory Disclosure and Use of Expert Witness and Insanity Defenses | 2006 |
Case name | Outcome |
---|---|
Menzies v. Utah | Habeas relief was denied on many ineffective assistance of counsel claims. |
Gullickson v. Gullickson, 2013 UT App 83, 301 P.3d 1011 | I had the District Court judge's ruling overturned in part. |
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Rebecca Okura, Family Attorney on May 15, 2017
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
I endorse this lawyer. I love litigating against attorneys who are rigorous and active on their case but who keep in mind that clients have cost concerns and other concerns that limit the ability to go to trial. Ted will absolutely "go to the mat" for a client but he also assists his clients in doing reasonable risk and cost analysis. It's a pleasure to be on the other side of a case with an attorney who is professional and courteous. If only clients knew how much mutual respect helps settle the case and decreases the stress of litigation! The integrity of our legal community depends on lawyers who are zealous and yet friendly like Ted.
Emily Smoak, Divorce and separation Attorney on May 12, 2017
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I have very much enjoyed getting to know Ted. He and I have a similar desire to reduce the level of contention between lawyers, especially in family law. He can be opposing counsel, and a strong advocate, but that doesn't mean he will be a poor colleague. He shares my desire to share knowledge, being a support, and assist if you need someone to bounce ideas, legal issues and ways to resolution. He is a Small Claims Judge, so, he's Judge to me - he just smiles at that. He's not arrogant and prideful, so there is nothing in the way of working together, no matter the situation. I am happy to have him as a good colleague. Emily
Daniel Tobler, Family Attorney on Apr 22, 2017
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
Mr. Weckel and I have had some very interesting legal battles opposite one another. I found his expertise to be very impressive. When needed he has been very assertive with the judge and actually changed the judge's mind on a few occasions when it was seemingly already made up. Only an experienced attorney gets that kind of respect in the courtroom. I endorse this lawyer.
Madeleine Tolmach, General practice Attorney on Apr 9, 2017
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. Ted Weckel is a highly intelligent, diligent, and zealous advocate for his clients. He is capable, dedicated, and ethical. I would recommend him highly to future clients.
Adam Spencer, Family Attorney on Apr 7, 2017
Relationship: Worked together on matter
Mr. Weckel is a very good attorney with a great deal of experience in trial and civil procedure. He is a passionate advocate who I would trust to handle my own sister's case, if she had one. I have had several cases with him, each of which was a very difficult custody case. Each time, I have been impressed with the quality of representation Mr. Weckel has provided for his clients.
Marco Brown, Family Attorney on Apr 7, 2017
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
I have known Ted for a few years now. He has always been prepared and ready to fight for his clients. He is also super pleasant to interact with on a professional level.
John Kennedy, General practice Attorney on Apr 6, 2017
Relationship: Other
I endorse this lawyer.
Orson West, Family Attorney on Oct 19, 2016
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
I have had the opportunity to work with Ted as an opposing attorney and also as a mediator. Ted works diligently for his clients. He is knowledgeable regarding family law and provides excellent representation for his clients. While I have only dealt with Ted in Family law matters, he has an excellent reputation in criminal law and tax matters.
Suzanne Marelius, Divorce and separation Attorney on Oct 6, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer and can recommend him for any complex or routine family law matters. He has a depth of experience in not only family law, but also tax, criminal, children's justice, and appeals which is an impressive background for any litigator. Ted is always interested in skill building and is a trained Guardian Ad Litem representing children in critical situations. Ted is always courteous, responsive and available to colleagues and clients without hesitation. I endorse this attorney without hesitation for any family law matter.