Skordas thrives on challenges

Greg Skordas likes balance in his life, whether it's weighing work and family or balancing on two wheels, like a road-racing bike or motorcycle.

But you can keep your balance while seeking new challenges, too.

And so, after years of being encouraged to seek political office, this year Skordas finally jumped in.

He's running as a Democrat for attorney general, trying to unseat GOP AG Mark Shurtleff.

Skordas, 47, knows it won't be easy — a sitting Republican attorney general was last defeated in 1988.

But apparently not satisfied with just running for statewide office, three weeks ago Skordas also agreed to be defense co-counsel for embattled Salt Lake County GOP Mayor Nancy Workman, taking up even more of his time and confusing his Democratic supporters as well.

The first-term Republican county mayor is fighting two felony charges of misuse of public funds, charges brought by Democratic County Attorney Dave Yocom, Skordas' admitted "good friend" and his old boss.

Though trailing in the AG polls and fund raising to Shurtleff, Skordas is hopeful yet realistic.

"I've always planned to get back into being a public attorney. If it doesn't happen this time, I'll do it later," perhaps in some appointed position, says the man who once served as Yocom's chief deputy.

But if you know Skordas, friends say, you know he doesn't turn down a sincere plea for help, whether it comes from the well-known and well-heeled or an average Joe who just needs a good criminal attorney.

Former law partner Elizabeth Dunning recalls: "I've called him when personal friends or family have problems with juveniles or the criminal justice system. He's unfailing generous with his time and expertise. He never says, 'Can I get a client out of this?' or anything like that."

A friend called Dunning several months ago, she recalls, who had a relative sitting in the Salt Lake County Jail over a weekend. She didn't worry about what to do. She just dialed Skordas. "He didn't know these people; he went down on a weekend to help get the person out. That's Greg."

But, she adds, unlike many successful criminal defense attorneys and prosecutors — he's been both — Skordas doesn't let the law take over his life.

He keeps his life balanced, she said. "He makes time for his family and other interests, like skiing and bikes," says Dunning.

Indeed, he does.

Skordas has an old "chopper" motorcycle he still rides — a partial fee payment from a member of the Sundowners motorcycle club he represented in a criminal case. He has a newer Harley Davidson and a garage full of skis and mountain and road bikes, some of which are for his kids and wife, corporate attorney Charlotte Miller.