Tyler M. Hawkins is a Salt Lake City litigation attorney who focuses his practice on commercial litigation and dispute resolution matters, such as commercial contract and real estate disputes, bankruptcy, and corporate restructuring.
For well over a decade, Tyler has defended and prosecuted high-stakes matters in a variety of areas, including consumer financial and mortgage banking services, intellectual property, and real estate and construction. He has defended banks, creditors, debt buyers, and other companies in litigation involving the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act (FDCPA), the Fair Credit Reporting Act, and state consumer protection laws. He has represented secured lenders and other creditors in bankruptcy proceedings, and he has handled a variety of disputes for mortgage servicers. In addition, he has represented real estate developers and commercial landlords in lease and contract disputes.
Experience
Representative Matters
- Obtained a complete defense verdict in a three-week jury trial in favor of clients accused of, among other things, breach of fiduciary duty, fraudulent nondisclosure, aiding and abetting breach of fiduciary duty, and tortious interference with contractual relations. Plaintiffs were seeking in excess of $10 million plus punitive damages. Ameritech College Holdings, LLC et al. v. Aiken et al. (Case No. 180908670, 3rd Jud. Dist. Ct., Salt Lake County, Utah, July 29, 2022).
- Defeated a damage claim of over $350 million and obtained a complete defense verdict in a five-week jury trial in favor of clients accused of, among other things, breaching nonsolicitation agreements and misappropriating trade secrets. Following trial, the court awarded legal fees to Mr. Hawkins’s client totaling over $600,000. Young Living Essential Oils, LC v. doTERRA, Inc. et al. (Case No. 120400973, 4th Jud. Dist. Ct., Utah County, Utah, July 26, 2018).
- Prevailed completely at trial on behalf of a buyer seeking to specifically enforce a pair of real estate purchase contracts against a seller who attempted to back out of a deal. Following trial, the court awarded legal fees to Mr. Hawkins’s client in the full amount requested. Andrew Koltavary v. Ironton Rail Luminary LLC (Case No. 210400909, 4th Jud. Dist. Ct., Utah County, Utah, Dec. 7, 2023).
Professional Highlights
Pro Bono Experience
Tyler is committed to providing legal services pro bono to those in need. He represented undocumented immigrants in obtaining U-Visas reserved for victims of crimes who have suffered mental or physical abuse and are helpful to law enforcement or government officials in the investigation of criminal activity. He also represented inmates who have been deprived of their religious liberty.
Tyler was a part of a team at his prior firm that successfully represented a client challenging the constitutionality of Utah's Grandparent Visitation Statute, as applied, from trial through appeal to the Utah Court of Appeals, Jones v. Jones, 2013 UT App 174, 307 P.3d 598, and on a writ of certiorari to the Utah Supreme Court, Jones v. Jones, 2015 UT 84, 359 P.3d 603.
Tyler was a part of a team at his prior firm that successfully represented a client challenging the constitutionality of Utah's Grandparent Visitation Statute, as applied, from trial through appeal to the Utah Court of Appeals, Jones v. Jones, 2013 UT App 174, 307 P.3d 598, and on a writ of certiorari to the Utah Supreme Court, Jones v. Jones, 2015 UT 84, 359 P.3d 603.
Judicial Clerkships
Hon. Jill N. Parrish, Utah Supreme Court, 2010-2011
Judicial Externships
Hon. William T. Thurman, Chief Judge, U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Utah, 2010
Professional Activities
Utah Bar Association
Salt Lake County Bar Association
Recognition & Accomplishments
The Best Lawyers in America "Ones to Watch," Litigation - Construction, Litigation - Real Estate (Salt Lake City), 2021
Graduate of the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce's Leadership Utah Program, 2019
Board Memberships & Community Service
University of Utah, S.J. Quinney College of Law, Young Alumni Association, 2014-2020
Related Insights
Credentials
Education
University of Utah, S.J. Quinney College of Law (J.D., with highest honors, 2010)
Executive Articles Editor, Utah Law Review
Legal Writing Teaching Assistant
Washington State University (B.A., magna cum laude, 2004)
Admissions
Utah
U.S. District Court for the District of Utah
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit