In mid-February, West Jordan Mayor Dirk Burton presented Ryan Holtan, an attorney and resident of Salt Lake City, to the West Jordan City Council as his appointee for the justice court judge position, following the retirement of Judge Ronald E. Kunz, who has served the city as justice court judge just shy of 35 years.

“What size shoe are you?” joked Burton to Kunz in his opening remarks on March 12 for Holtan’s swearing in ceremony at West Jordan City Hall. 

It seems Holtan has some big shoes to fill because Kunz wears a size 14 and a legacy of serving West Jordan.

In an official ceremony, surrounded by Holtan’s family and friends, on March 12 Kunz swore in Holtan as West Jordan’s new justice court judge. He promised to “support, obey and defend the constitution of the United States and the constitution of the state of Utah.”

Holtan completed the swearing in ceremony by putting on the official fashion icon of a judge, the black robe.

“It’s a huge responsibility, and it’s a privilege: something I take very seriously,” he said, noting “100,000 people have put their trust in me. I want to treat people fairly, and I want to hold people accountable.”

Holtan grew up in Anchorage, Alaska and later received his bachelor’s degree in political science at Montana State University in 2007 and his juris doctorate in 2010 from S.J. Quinney College of Law.

He was among one of five nominees submitted to the city in December per a Utah Courts press release.

Other candidates included: 

• Matthew Brass, J.D., Attorney at Law, resident of Farmington,

• Mark Flores, J.D., Attorney at Law, resident of Salt Lake City,

• Jennifer Foresta, J.D., Attorney at Law, resident of Salt Lake City,

• Chelsey A. McHugh, J.D., Attorney at Law, resident of Taylorsville.

Holtan’s background includes positions such as a private practice criminal defense attorney, Assistant Attorney General for the Utah Attorney General’s Office and as the Special Assistant United States Attorney in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah. 

Despite his impressive background, Burton said it wasn’t until meeting Holtan in person that he knew Holtan would be the best fit for the city.

“Not only is he intelligent, but he seemed well-rounded: he’s been a prosecutor and he’s also been on the defense, so he sees both sides,” Burton said. “It’s that connection with people [and] the fact that he’s out in the public doing things … that’s important for a judge.”

Burton also highlighted that Holtan’s “main purpose and desire” is “to make sure people are heard and understood before judgment is made.”

“My priority has always been a process where you can’t get focused on a particular outcome,” Holtan said. “A fair process is going to matter far more than anything else.”

“I’ve spent time representing people. I’ve spent time protecting people. I’ve spent time protecting the public as a prosecutor,” he continued. “I’ve spent a lot of time on both sides of the justice system and I think that gives me a unique perspective.” λ