Educational Background

Mr. Skeen received his BA Cum Laude from the University of Utah in 1976.  He earned his law degree from the University of San Diego, School of Law in 1980.  While attending law school, Mr. Skeen was a member of the San Diego Law Review and served as a Student Bar Association Officer. 

Employment background

 Upon graduation, Mr. Skeen obtained employment with the Clark County District Attorney’s Office in the Criminal Appellate Division.  After leaving Las Vegas, Mr. Skeen was employed by the Salt Lake County Attorney’s Office for four years.  Since 1985, Mr. Skeen has been in private practice as a criminal and civil litigation attorney.  He currently staffs the firm’s San Diego Office, on a part time basis. 

 Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Skeen was a prosecutor in the Clark County, Nevada District Attorney’s Office and a Deputy Salt Lake County Attorney. 

Previously, he was a principal in the law firms of Hatch, Morton & Skeen and Skeen & Rasmussen where he practiced criminal litigation, civil litigation, criminal appeals and arbitration of civil matters. 

Representative matters

 Criminal litigation

 Recently, the firm obtained an acquittal in a first degree murder case in Salt Lake County involving complex DNA issues.  Mr. Skeen also serves as a Public Defender for Sandy City and brings a wealth of criminal experience gained from his employment as a prosecutor and as a defense lawyer. 

Civil litigation

 For ten years, Mr. Skeen served as General Outside Counsel for Comworld Productions, a major motion picture production company.  During that time, Mr. Skeen litigated hundreds of cases for the company, prepared documents, negotiated contracts and settlements and advised the company’s principals in all legal matters.

 Mr. Skeen has tried to verdict in excess of 500 cases in his career in the States of Utah and California.  He has obtained verdicts and settlements for plaintiff clients exceeding $15 million, and has obtained numerous defense verdicts, summary judgments and favorable defense settlements for defendant clients.  If his schedule permits, Mr. Skeen will consider entering a matter as trial counsel shortly before trial. 

 Mr. Skeen also provides outside general counsel service and advice to individuals and companies to assist them in avoiding problems and protecting their businesses as they grow.  Mr. Skeen also enlists and coordinates many litigation matters with attorneys both inside and outside the law firm.

Administrative Law

 Mr. Skeen has represented numerous clients and businesses in administrative proceedings involving local, state and federal government.  He has participated in more than 100 administrative hearings involving licensing matters and appeals of administrative decisions.  He has the knowledge and experience to guide clients safely through the administrative process.

Professional Affiliations and Admissions

 United States Supreme Court

 United States Tax Court 

 Supreme Court of California 

 Supreme Court of Utah

 Supreme Court of Idaho 

 State Bars of California, Utah and Idaho  

 U. S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals   

 U.S. Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals 

 Member of all Federal District Courts in California, Utah and Idaho  

 Member San Diego County Bar Association  

 Member Salt Lake County Bar Association  

 Member Consumer Attorneys of San Diego 

 Judge Pro Tem Salt Lake District Court  

He has been interviewed by such publications as the Wall Street Journal, Denver Post, San Diego Union-Tribune and other local periodicals.

Mr. Skeen has been featured on the front page of the Wall Street Journal

Personal Information

 Mr. Skeen is married, is the father of four children and has four grandchildren.  He enjoys many and varied activities including motorcycling touring, mountain climbing, marathoning, golfing and other activities.