Commissioner Russell Minas
See how to properly and efficiently work with Commissioner Minas and his team with this free informal bench book, created with information provided by the Commissioner and their clerks.
District Court
Courtroom Number
Commissioner Bio
"Commissioner Russell Minas was appointed as a Third District Court Commissioner in October 2018. He received a juris doctorate in 1989 from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Prior to his appointment he provided comprehensive family law services in Utah for 29 years. He is a past executive director and past trustee of the Legal Aid Society of Salt Lake. He is a longtime member and past chair of the Executive Committee of the Utah State Bar's Family Law Section. He serves on the Utah Judicial Council's Standing Committee on Children and Family Law and on its Court Forms Committee. He currently co-chairs the Utah Child Support Guidelines Advisory Committee. Commissioner Minas is a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. He is a past recipient of the Utah State Bar Family Law Attorney of the Year. Prior to his appointment he achieved Master Mediator status on the Utah Court Roster of Qualified Divorce Mediators. He is also a past chair of the Association of Collaborative Professionals of Utah and is a member of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts."
Typical Hearing Schedule
- Law & Motion Monday & Wednesday at 9 AM
- Protective Orders Tuesday 9 AM
- Case Management Conferences Tuesday 1:30 PM
- Pretrials, Review Hearings and Misc. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 1:30 PM
Typical Time Allotment by Hearing Type
- It depends upon the complexity and how many matters are scheduled.
Hearings Where Parties are Not Required to Personally Attend
- Case Management
- Pretrials
Hearing Types: In-person vs. Remote
- In Person: Morning Law & Motion
- Remote: Afternoon Pretrials, CMC's and Misc.
Timeline for Virtual Link or Call Information
When hearings are scheduled are remote, the link is in the notice of hearing.
Motion to Appear Remotely Circumstances
I grant most but not all requests. I like to be able to look people in the eye when making decisions about where their children will be living and how much money will be changing hands —and believe the parties are entitled to the same. If asking to appear remotely, please provide grounds as to the specific hearing. No stock motions please.
Matters [besides those listed in Rule 101(m)] Scheduled in front of a Judge without Commissioner Review
None that come to mind , at least before certification of issues for trial, unless the judge wants to hear it.
"Expedited" Hearing Circumstances
Typically only Motions for TROs. The rules also allow for requesting expedited hearings under Rule 7B(d) upon a clear showing of immediate and irreparable harm, but if that is the case usually a Motion for TRO is filed. Also, requests for parent-time reviews when supervised parent-time is ordered.
Preferred Exhibit Submission Method
USB Drive, binder. Please do not file voluminous exhibits in the court file. Please follow Rule 101(h)(3).
Review Hearing or Status Conference Requests
By motion and a request to submit.
Pretrial and Trial Scheduling
The vast majority of scheduling is done through the judicial assistants, typically vie email at the team email address. Please include all parties and counsel in emails to the court. Once scheduled the court will issue a notice. of the conference. Also, I prefer that certificates of readiness for trial be filed before attempting to schedule a pretrial, unless the pretrial was scheduled during a case management conference. This does not necessarily apply to Rule 16 requests for pretrials, but please do not use Rule 16 for certifying issues for trial.
Commissioner Preferences or Requests
- Please stay within page limits. Be succinct and to the point.
- Please do not file voluminous exhibits in the court file (Financial Declarations and income verification excepted).
- Please follow Rule 101(h)(3).
- Please provide courtesy copies of voluminous exhibits to the commissioner at least 48 hours before the hearing. ( I like USB drives over paper binders).
- No stacking of multiple motions on an already scheduled hearing slot. One motion and one counter-motion per hearing slot, 25 pages of argument max per side.
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