With a decade of judicial experience, Judge Deno Himonas is widely viewed as a decisive, thorough, and extremely well-prepared judge. Survey respondents most frequently described him as intelligent, knowledgeable and attentive. Many also characterized him as respectful, both of all participants in his courtroom and of the legal process itself. Some perceived his demeanor as arrogant. Courtroom observers praised Judge Himonas, citing a gracious and patient demeanor and a thoughtful yet decisive approach to cases and decisions. Of survey respondents who answered the retention question, 82% recommended that Judge Himonas be retained.
The commission reviewed surveys and courtroom observation reports in addition to verifying that Judge Himonas has met all time standards, judicial education requirements, and discipline standards established by the judicial branch.
Governor Olene Walker appointed Judge Constandinos (Deno) Himonas to the Third District Court in 2004. Judge Himonas currently serves as the Associate Presiding Judge for the Third District, co-chairs the District’s pro bono program and sits on the Judicial Conduct Commission. He has also served for a number of years as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Utah’s S.J. Quinney School of Law. Prior to taking the bench, Judge Himonas practiced law with the firm of Jones, Waldo, Holbrook & McDonough; his emphasis was in complex commercial litigation. Judge Himonas graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Utah in 1986 with a degree in Economics and from the University of Chicago School of Law in 1989. He is married with two children.