U.S. Attornery for Utah Brett Tolman to join Salt Lake law firm

SALT LAKE CITY — Brett L. Tolman, who will step down as U.S. Attorney for Utah next week, is set to join one of the state's largest law firms.

Tolman, 39, will become a shareholder in the firm of Ray Quinney & Nebeker after his resignation takes effect Dec. 31. His focus will be corporate compliance, lobbying and government relations, white-collar criminal defense and general litigation, the firm said.

"Brett brings energy, impressive skills and a broad range of experience to his new role as a shareholder of our firm," said managing director John Adams.

Tolman announced his resignation in October, though his term doesn't expire until July 2010. He said he was stepping down before then because he wanted to allow the Obama administration to appoint its own attorney. His replacement has not yet been named.

Tolman oversaw the prosecution of several high-profile cases, including those of Kiplyn Davis and Elizabeth Smart. His office also worked to tackle mortgage fraud and local Ponzi schemes, protect children from Internet crimes and halt the illegal trafficking of Indian artifacts.

Tolman was appointed U.S. Attorney for Utah following a nomination by George W. Bush. A Provo native, Tolman received both his bachelor's and law degree from BYU. He worked as an assistant U.S. attorney for four years before working with Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, and Sen. Arlen Specter, D-Pa., on the Patriot Act prior to his appointment.

Tolman replaced Paul Warner, a Clinton appointee who is now a federal magistrate judge.

"I've always said I look forward to each new adventure," Tolman said of his decision to join Ray Quinney & Nebeker. "While I thoroughly enjoyed my time as U.S. attorney, I could not be more pleased with the opportunities that await me as a partner at Ray Quinney & Nebeker."

Ray Quinney & Nebeker is one of the oldest and largest law firms in Utah, with a history dating back to 1940. The firm has more than 90 attorneys working in its principal office in Salt Lake City and its branch office in Provo.