Utah State Bar honors Ogden judge, Salt Lake City attorney

The Utah State Bar recently recognized several in the law community during their annual conference, held this year in Colorado.

Second District Judge Michael Lyon was awarded Judge of the Year. The Ogden-based judge, who recently announced his September retirement, was appointed to the 2nd District Court in 1992, according to the state bar.

The 70-year-old man was a justice court judge for South Ogden for 18 years prior to being appointed a district judge. Previous to that, he worked as a Clinton City Attorney and for the Weber County Attorney's Office.

Lyon was also founding president of the Rex E. Lee American Inn of Court, an organization that promotes ethics and professionalism with the legal profession.

The award for Lawyer of the Year went to Peter Stirba, who has worked as a Salt Lake City-based attorney for 22 years, according to the state bar. Stirba previously worked as an assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Utah, as well as serving as the Gunnison City Attorney for 11 years. He also works as an associate adjunct professor of law at the University of Utah.

Stirba has been involved in many high-profile cases, including representing 25 of Utah's 29 counties in successfully defending a constitutional challenge to Utah's restaurant tax.

jmiller@sltrib.com

Twitter: @jm_miller