Meet Ryan B. Hancey

Ryan is a Kesler & Rust shareholder and a trial lawyer. He has established a successful and diverse litigation practice, representing and defending clients in all kinds of business and commercial disputes, contractual disputes, real estate and landlord-tenant litigation, products liability and personal injury matters, and before administrative agencies.

In just the past few months, Ryan obtained six-figure jury verdicts in a breach of contract case against a municipality and a breach of franchise agreement case, as well as a $3.4 million verdict in a products liability case in federal court. During the same time frame, Ryan successfully defended clients at trial against a breach of construction contract claim and a $10 million alienation of affections claim.

Ryan has received recognition as one of Utah’s best lawyers, being named one of a handful of “Local Litigation Stars” in both 2013 and 2014 by the well-respected Benchmark Litigation publication. He is admitted to practice law in every state and federal court in Utah, the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, and the United States Supreme Court.

Ryan enjoys working out and playing basketball, and he is an avid water skier.

Reported Cases

• Hansen v. Harper Excavating, Inc., No. 20130163-CA, 2014 UT App 180 (July 31, 2014)
• Perez v. South Jordan City, 2014 WL 468882 (Utah Ct. App. 2014)
• Phillips v. South Jordan City, 307 P.3d 659 (Utah Ct. App. 2013)
• Taylorsville City v. Taylorsville City Employee Appeal Bd., 298 P.3d 1270 (Utah Ct. App. 2013)
• Perez v. South Jordan City, 296 P.3d 715 (Utah 2013)
• Fierro v. Park City Mun. Corp., 295 P.3d 696 (Utah Ct. App. 2012)
• Rosen v. Saratoga Springs City, 288 P.3d 606 (Utah Ct. App. 2012)
• Rapela v. Green, 289 P.3d 428 (Utah 2012)
• Hansen v. Harper Excavating, Inc., 641 F.3d 1216 (10th Cir. 2011)
• Guenon v. Division of Peace Officer Standards and Training, 251 P.3d 851 (Utah Ct. App. 2011)
• Guenon v. Midvale City, 230 P.3d 1032 (Utah Ct. App. 2010)
• Thomson v. Salt Lake County, 584 F.3d 1304 (10th Cir. 2009)
• Nikols v. Goodman & Chesnoff, 206 P.3d 295 (Utah Ct. App. 2009)
• Advanced Restoration, L.L.C. v. Priskos, 126 P.3d 786 (Utah Ct. App. 2005)
• In Re Bushman, 311 B.R. 91 (Bkrtcy.D.Utah 2004)

Meet Adam L. Grundvig

Adam is a Kesler & Rust shareholder and litigator. He joined the firm in 2008 after graduating from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, where he graduated with honors, was a William H. Leary scholar, an editor of the Journal of Law and Family Studies, earned awards for the highest grade in three classes (Legislative Process, Scientific Forensic Evidence, and Juvenile Justice), and was recognized by his classmates as classmate of the year.

Since becoming a member of the Utah bar, Adam has focused his law practice on litigation, with an emphasis on personal injury, products liability, labor and employment, construction, and commercial cases. He has successfully represented a variety of businesses and individuals in settlements (including seven-figure), mediations and arbitrations, administrative, and litigation proceedings in Utah state and federal courts.

Before attending law school, Adam obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Behavioral Science and Health Care from the University of Utah. He worked in the health care industry (most particularly, cancer research administration and compliance) for nearly a decade, during which he gained invaluable experience and insight that he uses regularly in his law practice.

When not at the office, you may find Adam at a local live music theatre, a sporting event, or enjoying the outdoors with his family. Adam also enjoys creative writing, stand-up comedy, reading, and playing both real and fantasy sports.

Reported Cases

• Electrical Contractors, Inc. v. Westwater Farms, LLC, 2016 UT App 60 (March 31, 2016)
• Hansen v. Harper Excavating, Inc., No. 20130163-CA, 2014 UT App 180 (July 31, 2014)

Publications

Ledbetter v. Goodyear: The U.S. Supreme Court Rubs Salt in Plaintiffs' Disparate Pay Title VII Wounds

Meet Scott S. Bridge

Scott is a Kesler & Rust shareholder. He joined the firm in 2008 after graduating from Saint Louis University School of Law in the top 10% of his class and as a Dean’s Scholar. During law school, Scott worked as an intern for Judge Robert Dowd of the Missouri Court of Appeals.

Over his career, Scott has built a practice focused on commercial litigation with emphases in business, real estate, landlord/tenant and construction law. He represents businesses and individuals alike in arbitrations and litigation proceedings in Utah state and federal courts. Scott also represents clients with regard to commercial transactions, real estate transactions, and foreclosures. He has also representated many clients with regard to real estate boundary disputes (i.e. boundary by acquiescense), prescriptive easements, and real estate partition actions, including serving as a court-appointed referree in the partition of a home. Scott is an active member of the litigation, construction law, and real property law sections of the Utah bar. He has previously served as the chair of the Construction Law Section. Scott has also been recongnized as a Utah Legal Elite by Utah Business Magazine and as a Utah Super Lawyer by Super Lawyer Magazine, both in the area of construction law.

Before law school, Scott earned a degree in political science at the University of Utah. In 2003, Scott interned with the Supreme Court of the United States for a semester in Washington, D. C. It was during his time at the Supreme Court that Scott was convinced he wanted to become a trial attorney. Scott graduated from the “U” in 2005.

Scott is an outdoor enthusiast with a particular love for hiking and canyoneering. He also enjoys attending collegiate sporting events and spending time with his wife, Kelley, and their four children. Scott and his family live in the East Millcreek area of Salt Lake City, near Millcreek Canyon.

REPORTED CASES

• Airport Park Salt Lake City LP v. 42 Hotel SLC LLC, 2016 UT App 137, 378 P.3d 117
• Hansen v. Harper Excavating, Inc., 2014 UT App 180, 332 P.3d 969
• Nikols v. Chesnoff, 435 Fed.Appx. 766 (10th Cir., 2011)

Meet J. Adam Knorr

Adam joined Kesler & Rust in 2014 after graduating from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law with high honors. He was selected to represent his law school in the National Moot Court Team, and received the highest grades in Property Law, Family Law Seminar, State & Local Government, as well as the Outstanding Academic Achievement award in Land Use Control. Also, he was awarded a fellowship with Professor Paul G. Cassell, former U.S. District Court Judge for the District of Utah. Additionally, Adam served as clerk to the Honorable Judge Lynn W. Davis of the 4th District Court in Provo, Utah.

Adam’s practice involves all aspects of litigation, including family law, personal injury, contract disputes, property law, and criminal cases. Adam is licensed to practice in Utah’s state and federal courts.

Prior to law school, Adam graduated summa cum laude from Westminster College with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a minor in Justice Studies.

When at home, Adam enjoys religious studies, rock music, and spending time with his wife, Jessica. He is also a Green Bay Packers enthusiast and an ardent Van Halen fan.

PUBLICATIONS

"Epilogue: Recent Cases in Property Distribution," The Utah Journal of Family Law, Volume 2 Fall/Winter 2011, Number 2. Utah State Bar: Family Law Section

"The War Crime of Genocide: A Critique of America's Approach to Protected Groups," Global Justice Blog, September 24, 2013. Center for Global Justice at the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law

Meet Austin G. B. Turley

Austin joined Kesler & Rust as an Associate attorney in 2022 after graduating from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, where he graduated with honors and a Certificate in Environmental & Natural Resources Law. Prior to law school, Austin graduated from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor of Arts in History.

Austin’s practice involves all aspects of litigation, including family law, personal injury, real estate, business disputes, environmental law, and business transactional work. Austin is licensed to practice law in Utah’s state and federal courts.

Outside of work, Austin enjoys working out, rec league flag football, and watching sports. Austin is also an avid BYU, Arizona Diamondbacks, Phoenix Suns, and Arizona Cardinals fan.

Meet Chase G. Peterson

Chase G. Peterson is an associate and litigator at Kesler & Rust. He joined the firm in 2022 following his graduation with honors from the University of Utah's S.J. Quinney College of Law. As a student at S.J. Quinney, Chase was a Quinney Fellow and actively contributed to the academic community by serving as a teaching assistant in both classrooms and the law school's Academic Support Program. Furthermore, he held the position of Vice President for the Sports Law Club and was a member of the law school's negotiation competition team.

Since being admitted to the Utah Bar and joining Kesler & Rust, Chase has focused his practice on various aspects of litigation. He has successfully achieved favorable outcomes for numerous clients in diverse areas such as real property, contract, business, and personal injury cases.

Chase has developed expertise in the relatively new Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) field, which has emerged in the world of college athletics. Drawing upon his background in consulting for private platforms and educational organizations, in addition to his collaboration with NCAA compliance offices and esteemed sports attorneys, Chase has made substantial contributions to facilitating NIL deals for NCAA student-athletes, particularly for those who have achieved the status of collegiate All-Americans. He has also prepared opinion memorandums concerning agreements between Power Five institutions and their sponsors, and has provided valuable support to policymakers in the development of legislative proposals related to NIL.

Outside of his professional life, Chase greatly values the time he spends with his wife, Halle, and their two dogs. He is an active participant in basketball, tennis, and skiing, taking every opportunity to engage in these activities.

Meet Scott O. Mercer

Scott is a trial lawyer and the senior shareholder at Kesler & Rust, where he has spent his entire legal career. Scott joined the firm as a law clerk in 1981 and became an attorney following his 1982 graduation from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. Scott has enjoyed decades-long relationships with Kesler & Rust’s very first clients, most of which remain clients of the firm today.

Scott has established a robust commercial litigation practice centered on resolving matters for shopping centers, real estate management companies, construction companies, and other commercial clients. Scott regularly and skillfully handles commercial landlord-tenant disputes and other lease interpretation matters. Although Scott’s practice does not focus on tort or personal injury law, Scott recently obtained a $3.4 million verdict in a products liability case in federal court. Scott’s ability to successfully resolve varied, complex disputes undoubtedly is why his attorney peers have recognized him as among the best lawyers in Utah, as reflected by his “AV Preeminent” peer review rating from Martindale Hubbell.

Scott is admitted to practice law in every state and federal court in Utah, the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, and the United States Supreme Court. Scott also successfully represents clients in mediations, arbitrations, and settlements.

Scott lived in France for two years and speaks French.