Theodore R Weckel Jr.

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.