Senate confirms Salt Lake lawyer as federal judge

SALT LAKE CITY — The U.S. Senate has confirmed a Salt Lake lawyer as a federal judge.

Robert J. Shelby will fill a vacancy on the U.S. District Court for Utah, giving it a full complement of judges for the first time in nearly three years.

“Bob is a good man who has studied our laws inside and out, and he’s going to make a great addition to our district court in Utah. He’s a hard worker who’s given his time in public service and defended the law in private practice as well," said Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah.

Hatch recommended Shelby to President Barack Obama who nominated him last November.

Shelby was a shareholder with Snow, Christensen & Martineau where his practice focused on complex commercial litigation and catastrophic personal injury cases. He received a law degree from the University of Virginia in 1998 and a bachelor's degree from Utah State University in 1994.

— Dennis Romboy Twitter: dennisromboy