Judge Derek Pullan is an experienced judge who received outstanding scores in all survey categories and questions. Attorneys most often selected intelligent, knowledgeable, attentive, and considerate as words to describe him. Many commented on his model demeanor and consistent preparation, with a notable number using superlatives to describe his judicial conduct. Of the 93 attorneys who responded to the retention question, 88 (95%) recommended that Judge Pullan be retained. Courtroom observers were also positive about Judge Pullan, agreeing that he showed respect and concern for all and ran an orderly, professional courtroom that gave participants time to express themselves fully and that he never seemed hurried. All observers reported they would feel comfortable appearing before Judge Pullan. All juror results were positive.
The commission reviewed surveys and courtroom observation reports in addition to verifying that Judge Pullan has met all time standards, judicial education requirements, and discipline standards established by the judicial branch.
Judge Derek P. Pullan was appointed to the Fourth District Court in September 2003 by Gov. Michael O. Leavitt. After graduating cum laude from Brigham Young University’s J. Reuben Clark Law School in 1993, he served as a law clerk at the Utah Supreme Court. He was a deputy county attorney, and later became the Wasatch county attorney, where he prosecuted felony offenses and was legal counsel to the county government. Judge Pullan was elected presiding judge in the Fourth District for two terms. He is an adjunct professor at the J. Reuben Clark Law School where he teaches evidence and a member of the Utah Supreme Court’s Advisory Committee on the Civil Rules of Procedure.