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During his 40-year career as a criminal defense attorney, Ronald Yengich has seemingly done it all.
He has represented those accused of the most heinous crimes. Men like Sam Kastanis — whom a jury acquitted of four counts of capital murder in the 1991 stabbing and bludgeoning deaths of his wife and three young children — and Mark Hofmann, who faced the death penalty in 1986 for killing two in bombings to keep secret his involvement in forging Mormon documents.
Yengich more than once has netted "not-guilty" verdicts for clients facing the death penalty, and never once has a convicted client of his been sentenced to death.
But ask the 65-year-old what cases he is most proud of, and he will first talk about the victories that weren't inked in newspapers or aired on the evening news. Rather, it's those times when he was able to talk prosecutors out of filing charges, he said, or when a client didn't go to prison. Moments when he has counseled and persuaded a client with a long-term drug problem to finally seek treatment.
"You know, as a defense attorney, you lose," he said. "We lose a lot. We lose most of the time. And it isn't about winning or losing, because some of my greatest victories are victories that no one knows about."
Yengich's accomplishments were honored last month by the Utah State Bar as he was awarded "Lawyer of the Year." It was the first time in the award's 45-year history that an attorney who practices exclusively "blue-collar" defense work — taking on clients accused of crimes such as murder, assault or drug charges — was recognized.
It's an honor long overdue for Yengich, said defense attorney and bar commissioner Susanne Gustin, who nominated her mentor.
"It is a huge deal for members of the tight-knit criminal defense bar that Yengich received this award," Gustin said. " ... Ron has perfected the art of fighting in the trenches for the underdog."
Bar spokesman Sean Toomey said the award is presented to Utah attorneys who, over their career, have exemplified professionalism through their ethical and personal conduct. Yengich, he said, was one of 15 nominated this year.
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Reputation • In the courtroom, Yengich is part philosopher, part scholar and part pit bull.
He references everyone from Socrates to Arthur Miller and Jesus Christ in his opening and closing arguments. He's fiery and aggressive as he argues, but jokes with attorneys, including his opponents, when court isn't in session.
He has an unapologetic, tell-it-as-it-is attitude and a history of representing both the penniless and the powerful with equal fervor.
When asked about what type of cases he likes to take, the deeply religious Yengich bursts into a monologue that answers the question, but also includes a winding commentary about his frustration with how the news media cover the accused, how Americans should "be teary-eyed" when thinking of the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights, and concludes with a biblical story.
Behind this larger than life persona, there's a man who discreetly champions for those around him, said Kent Hart, executive director for the Utah Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.
"What a lot of people don't know is that he quietly does a lot of things behind the scenes," Hart said, adding that he was one of probably dozens of defense attorneys whom Yengich has taken under his wing, making introductions and showing him the ropes inside the courthouse.
Defense attorney Edward Brass met Yengich in 1974, when he was a first-year law student at University of Utah and Yengich was in his third year. Brass recalled being scolded by the older student in the school's gym complex.
"He told me that I should not be goofing off at the gym, but I should be attending class or studying," Brass said. "He's sort of been my big brother and mentor ever since."
The two have been sharing office space since 2000, and Brass said he never has seen Yengich turn away any lawyer asking for help.
"His work ethic is the highest," Brass said. "He's shown me that in order to be good at what you do, you have to work hard. And he's made me a harder worker at my craft. He's also shown me how to treat other people, how to be with clients who are going through difficult times and how to be patient."
Gustin recalls hauling Yengich's briefcase for him when she was a young lawyer and watching him work in the courtroom.
"Even though he may not know it, Yengich is a mentor to many criminal defense attorneys," she said, "who take note of his legal strategies, cross-examination style and notable closing arguments."
Yengich is also respected by the prosecutors he spars with in court, Brass said.
"[Prosecutors] know if they have a case with him, he's going to be tenacious," he said. "He's going to fight every significant issue that needs to be fought. But they also know he's going to be honest with them. He's not going to misrepresent facts. He's an upfront guy."
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Recognition • Hart said it is long overdue that a criminal defense attorney such as Yengich — who frequently takes cases to trial and is "in the trenches" of the courtroom every day — was named Lawyer of the Year.
But Yengich himself is quick to deflect any praise, saying he was surprised and honored by the prize.
"My honest reaction was, I'm not even the best lawyer in the office," he said. "… I told them, well, you know I'll take the award, but I'm probably fourth best."
Yengich said his law partner, Earl Xaiz, associate Chelsea Koch, and suite mate Brass were all equally deserving of such an honor, along with countless other criminal defense attorneys with whom he has worked through the years.
Even when receiving his award during a July 31 ceremony, Yengich credited others for his successes, passing out a list titled, in part, "I Received the Award, These People Deserve the Credit," with 128 people named. At the top of his list is his wife, Kay Yengich, followed by his parents, Nick and Erma Yengich. The list goes on to name mentors, legal secretaries, fellow attorneys, judges, professors, court reporters and investigators.
"I accepted [the award] on behalf of the entire criminal defense bar, past, present and future," he said. "I think it's time that we were recognized as being an important part of the bar, because our history is having some really wonderful lawyers."
Tribune reporter Jennifer Dobner contributed to this report.
Twitter: @jm_miller