Mediation That Fits Your Schedule

David W. Read, Esq.

David Read brings decades of litigation and courtroom experience to his work as a mediator, helping parties find resolution outside of trial with clarity, calm, and legal insight. He has handled complex federal and state legal matters across a broad spectrum—including family, estate, civil litigation, and education law—and now focuses on resolving disputes through fair, efficient, and practical mediation.

David also has extensive experience in education law, where he represents students, faculty, athletes, and coaches in disputes at both the university and K-12 levels. From academic discipline and Title IX proceedings to faculty employment disputes and athletic compliance matters, David understands the sensitive dynamics involved when educational rights and reputations are at stake. He regularly serves as a trusted mediator for educational institutions seeking to resolve high-conflict or high-profile matters with discretion, legal precision, and institutional care.

David has been recognized by both Utah Business Magazine’s “Utah Legal Elite” and Super Lawyers for his legal expertise. In addition, the Utah State Bar honored David with the Business Practitioner of the Year Award, recognizing his outstanding contributions to legal practice, education, and leadership in the field of business law. This award reflects not only David’s legal skill but also his commitment to professional excellence and ethical service.

Now, as a mediator, David draws on his courtroom and academic experience to help parties avoid the financial and emotional costs of trial by crafting durable, thoughtful resolutions. He is known for his practical, balanced, and informed approach, working effectively with attorneys, clients, and professionals alike.

Over the course of his career, David has worked closely with a wide range of experts including forensic accountants, custody evaluators, clinical psychologists, GALs, and real estate professionals—giving him the tools to mediate disputes with complex factual and financial issues.

Before establishing his mediation practice, David practiced law at Strong & Hanni, one of Utah’s largest and most respected civil litigation firms, and later at Cordell & Cordell, the largest domestic relations firm in the country. His background includes significant experience in legal malpractice, representing both plaintiffs and defendants, which gives him a deep understanding of attorney-client dynamics and professional standards—knowledge that often proves invaluable in sensitive or high-stakes mediations. Today, he continues to represent clients in trial courts across Utah while offering mediation services in family, estate, civil, education, and legal malpractice matters.

In addition to his litigation background, David spent over 20 years as a tenured professor of business and employment law, where he taught future professionals how to think critically about contracts, fiduciary duties, education policy, and dispute resolution. That academic experience—combined with his courtroom knowledge—makes him particularly effective in helping parties understand legal frameworks, assess risk, and move toward durable, informed settlements.

David is also deeply rooted in the legal academic community. He was the founding Editor-in-Chief of the Utah Journal of Family Law, and served as Managing Editor of the Journal of Legal Studies Education, a leading national publication in the field.

Whether you’re facing a contentious divorce, a probate or estate dispute, a legal malpractice claim, a university grievance, or a K-12 disciplinary matter, David offers a thoughtful, experienced, and balanced approach to resolution—one that protects relationships, preserves resources, and focuses on what matters most.