Appointed to the bench in 2007, Judge Robert Faust receives mixed assessments from survey respondents while scoring consistent with the average of his district court peers in all survey categories. Survey respondents and courtroom observers report that Judge Faust runs an efficient courtroom and is courteous to those appearing before him. Some survey respondents, however, fault him for poor case preparation and questionable legal reasoning. Some perceive that his personal life or beliefs affect his judicial performance. Courtroom observers report that Judge Faust is an attentive listener, allows adequate time for courtroom participants to speak, and seems engaged with each case. Of survey respondents answering the retention question, 79% recommend that Judge Faust be retained.
The commission reviewed surveys and courtroom observation reports in addition to verifying that Judge Faust has met all time standards, judicial education requirements, and discipline standards established by the judicial branch.
Judge Robert P. Faust was appointed in 2007 by Gov. Jon M. Huntsman, Jr. After graduating from the J. Reuben Clark College of Law in 1982, he maintained a diverse litigation practice at Nielsen & Senior. After 1996, Judge Faust practiced law for the U.S. Postal Service and served as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney. He served on the Utah Supreme Court Ethics & Discipline Committee and the Task Force on Bar Governance Committee and was President of the Federal Bar Association. Judge Faust was a member of the Federal Bar Foundation, American Trial Lawyers Association, American Bar Association Litigation Section, and the Utah State Bar Litigation Section. Judge Faust now serves as a Utah judicial delegate to the American Bar Association.