Alumni Association

Honored Alum Award - Ralph L. Dewsnup - 1990

Name: Ralph L. Dewsnup

Office: 2020 Beneficial Life Tower, Salt Lake City, UT 84111 (801) 533-0400

Family: Wife, Mary (Cannon). 5 Children: Emily, Rebecca, Hillary, Nathan, Heidi. 16 Grandchildren: Hannah, Alyssa, Jocelyn, Samantha, Preston, Mackinley, Dylan, Madison, Gabrielle, Emma, Elise, Sophia, Lily, Hyrum, Andrew & Bowman

Academic Activities

  • J.D. Degree, Cum Laude, J. Reuben Clark Law School, Brigham Young University, 1977.
  • Recipient, Honored Alumni Award, J. Reuben Clark Law School, Brigham Young University, 1990.
  • Recipient, Hugh B. Brown Barrister's Award, J. Reuben Clark Law School, Brigham Young University, 1977.
  • Recipient, Merit Scholarships for Legal Studies, JRCLS, BYU.
  • Member, National Mock Trial Team, JRCLS, BYU.
  • Member, Board of Advocates, JRCLS, BYU.
  • President, Student Bar Association, JRCLS, BYU, 1976-77.
  • Second Year Class Representative, JRCLS, BYU, 1975-76.
  • Outstanding Student Litigator Award, Round II - Trial Part IV, Western Regional Competition - National Mock Trials, San Francisco, CA, Jan. 1977.
  • American Jurisprudence Book Awards: Constitutional Law, Contracts, Real Property.
  • B.A. Degree, Cum Laude, Finance, University of Utah, 1972.
  • Member, Beta Gamma Sigma, National Business Honorary Society, 1973.
  • Participant, Honors Program, University of Utah.
  • Recipient, Sears Roebuck Leadership Scholarship, 1966.

Employment

  • President, Dewsnup, King & Olsen, Attorneys at Law, (Salt Lake City, UT), January 1998 - present, working in civil litigation involving personal injuries and insurance claims, with emphasis in medical malpractice.
  • President, Wilcox, Dewsnup & King, Attorneys at Law, (Salt Lake City, UT), January 1997 - December 1997, working in civil litigation involving personal injuries and insurance claims, with emphasis in medical malpractice.
  • Senior Lecturer & Adjunct Professor of Law, (Medical Malpractice), J. Reuben Clark Law School, Brigham Young University, 1995 - 1998.
  • Vice President and Treasurer, Wilcox, Dewsnup & King, 1990-1996.
  • Partner, Hansen & Dewsnup, Attorneys at Law, (Salt Lake City, UT), 1983-1990, specializing in civil litigation, as above.
  • Partner, Hansen, Thompson & Dewsnup, Attorneys at Law, (Salt Lake City, UT), 1980-1983.
  • Associate, Hansen & Thompson, Attorneys at Law, (Salt Lake City, UT), 1977-1980.
  • Law Clerk, Hansen & Orton, Attorneys at Law, (Salt Lake City, UT), 1975-1977.
  • Planning & Systems Analyst. Tracy Collins Bank and Trust Co., (Salt Lake City, UT), Summer, 1975.
  • Accounting Instructor, Utah Technical College, (Now Salt Lake Community College), Fall, 1974.
  • Assistant Trust Officer (formerly Portfolio Analyst), Tracy Collins Bank and Trust Co., (Salt Lake City, UT), 1971-1974. Principal responsibilities in the field of investments, analyzing and co-managing individual stock and bond portfolios with book value of approximately $80 million; administering trust accounts; serving as secretary of the Trust Investment Committee.
  • Accounting Clerk, Zions First National Bank (Salt Lake City, UT), 1971. Principal
    • responsibilities included preparing probate court accountings and working with the Common Trust Investment Funds.
  • Accounting Assistant, University of Utah Union Building, 1968.
  • Cashier and Stock Clerk, Mayfair Market, (Salt Lake City, UT) 1964-1968.

Professional & Civic

Court Admissions:

  • Utah Supreme Court, 9/20/77.
  • United States District Court for Utah, 9/20/77.
  • United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, 4/13/78.
  • United States Supreme Court, 2/19/85.

Professional Associations and Activities:

  • Member, Utah State Bar.
  • Member, Salt Lake County Bar Association.
  • Member, Federal Bar Association (FBA).
  • Member, Association of Trial Lawyers of America (ATLA).
  • Member, Utah Trial Lawyers Association (UTLA).
  • President (1990-92), President-Elect (1989-90),
  • Vice President (1988-89), Secretary Treasurer (1987-88),
  • Board of Governors (1987 - 2001), Advisory Board (2001 to present),
  • Member, Court Approved Panel of Mediators and Arbitrators, appointed by U.S. District Court for the District of Utah, 1993 - Present.
  • Recipient, A. Sherman Christensen Award, presented by the American Inns of Court Foundation in the U.S. Supreme Court, 5 June 1992.
  • Master of the Bench (Bencher), Aldon J. Anderson American Inn of Court (VII), Salt Lake City, UT, 1985 - Present. (President, 1991 - 1992).
  • American Inns of Court Foundation, Washington, D.C.
  • Member, Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees, 1994-1998.
  • Member, Board of Trustees, 1988-1998.
  • Secretary, Board of Trustees, 1985-1996.
  • Treasurer, Board of Trustees, 1996-1998.
  • Emeritus Member, Board of Trustees, 1999-present.
  • Member, Leadership Council, 1999-present.
  • Member, U.S. Judicial Conference Committee on American Inns of Court, Washington, D.C., 1983-1985.
  • Editor, The Bencher, Publication of the American Inns of Court Foundation, 1982-1990.
  • Member or Chairman, Strategic Planning Committee, Bylaws Drafting Committee, Judicial Relations Committee, AIC Creed Drafting Committee, Blue Ribbon Organizational Structure Committee, Board Nominating Committee, Awards Committee.
  • Member, Board of Trustees, Temple Bar Foundation, 1996-1998.
  • Chairman, Legal-Medical Committee of the Utah State Bar, 1979-1984.
  • Co-Chairman, Interprofessional Committee of the Utah State Bar and Utah State Medical Association, 1980-1984.
  • Editor, Interprofessional Code for Utah, Second Edition, 1982.
  • Charter Member and Member of Executive Committee, American Inn of Court I, Provo, Utah, 1980-1985.
  • Member, Committee on Improving Jury Service, Utah Judicial Council, Ad Hoc Committee, 1997-2000; Standing Committee, 2001-2004.)
  • Member, Model Utah Jury Instruction Committee, Utah Judicial Council, Standing Committee, 2005-present.
  • Member, Executive Committee, Litigation Section of Utah State Bar, 1984-1990.
  • Reporter, Special Committee to Revise Jury Instructions for the State of Utah, 1978-1982.
  • Chairman, Subcommittee to draft medical malpractice pattern jury instructions for Utah, 1990-1991.
  • Chairman, Mid-Year Meeting, Utah State Bar, 1979.
  • Voting District Chairman in Salt Lake City, Utah, 1972 general election and in Murray, Utah, 1980 general election.
  • Member, District Roundtable Staff, Treasure Mountain District, Boy Scouts of America, 1973.
  • Volunteer, Misdemeanant Services, Department of Adult Probation and Parole, Salt Lake City, 1973.
  • Co-Chairman, Benchmark 2000, BYU Law Library Expansion Fundraising Campaign, 1993-1997.
  • Member of Panel of Lawyer Mediators appointed by the Third District Court of S.L. County, State of Utah, 1995 - present.
  • Service on Mediation and Arbitration panels in Utah considering auto accident, insurance and product liability claims.
  • Member, Court/Bar Technology Committee, appointed by U.S. District Court for the District of Utah, 1997.
  • Chairman, Prelitigation Task Force, Division of Occupational & Professional Licensing of the State of Utah, 1995 - 1996.
  • Listed in The Best Lawyers in America, by Naifeh & Smith, 1995 - Present.
  • Recipient Utah Trial Lawyers Association, Outstanding Achievement Award, 1998.
  • Recipient, Circle of Honor Award, Brigham Young University, 2002.
  • Listed in Marquis’, Who’s Who in America, 2006.
  • Negotiation and/or trial of hundreds of personal injury cases with emphasis on medical malpractice, automobile accident and product liability.

Military

Ranks Held: Officer Ranks:

  • Brigadier General, USAF, UTANG, 2001-2006.
  • Colonel, USAF, UTANG, 1997- 2001.
  • Lieutenant Colonel, USAF, UTANG, 1987- 1997.
  • Major, USAF, UTANG, 1982-1987.
  • Captain, USAF, UTANG, 1978-1982.
  • 1st Lieutenant, USAF, UTANG, 1976-1978.
  • 2nd Lieutenant, USAF, UTANG, 1974-1976.

Enlisted Ranks: Airman Basic

  • (E-1) through Staff Sergeant (E-5), 1967-1974, Utah Air National Guard, USAF.

Past Duty Assignments:

  • Deputy Commander, Joint Forces Headquarters - Utah
  • Chief of Staff, HQ UTANG.
  • Chief of the Joint Coordinating Staff, UTNG.
  • Deputy Commander of National Guard Troops, 2002 Salt Lake Olympic Winter Games.
  • Member, Air National Guard Long Range Planning Committee.
  • Member, Utah National Guard Joint Staff Command Group.
  • Staff IG, Utah Air National Guard.
  • Staff Plans and Programs Officer, HQ UTANG.
  • Logistics Plans Officer, 151st AREFG, UTANG.
  • Avionics Maintenance Officer, 151st AREFG, UTANG.
  • Field Maintenance Officer, 151st AREFG, UTANG.
  • Group Mobility Officer, 151st AREFG, UTANG.
Military Professional Organizations:
  • Member, National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS).
  • Member, National Guard Association of Utah (NGAUT).

Decorations and Awards:

  • Air Force Distinguished Service Medal.
  • Air Force Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster.
  • Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters.
  • Air Force Achievement Medal.
  • Air Force Outstanding Unit Citation.
  • Air Force Organizational Excellence Award with one oak leaf cluster.
  • AF Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal.
  • National Defense Serve Medal 2ith 2 bronze star devices.
  • Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.
  • Armed Forces Service Medal.
  • AF Longevity Service Award with 1 silver OLC & 2 bronze OLCs.
  • Winter Olympic Games Service Ribbon.
  • Armed Forces Reserve Medal with M device & Gold Hour Glass.
  • Small Arms Expert Marksman with 1 bronze star device.
  • AF Training Ribbon with 1 OLC.
  • Utah Joint Commendation Medal.
  • Utah Joint Staff Officer Service Ribbon.
  • Utah Commendation Medal.
  • Utah Recruiting Ribbon.
  • Utah Achievement Ribbon with 1 Beehive cluster.
  • Utah Service Ribbon with 2 silver, 1 bronze clusters.
  • Utah Bronze Minuteman Award, 2006.
  • Professional Military Education.
  • Graduate, Air War College (Seminar/Correspondence), 1994.
  • Graduate, Air Command and Staff College (Correspondence), 1987.
  • Graduate, Squadron Officer School (Correspondence), 1976.
  • Honor Graduate and Class Speaker, Academy of Military Science, 1974, Knoxville, TN.
  • Graduate, Aircraft Maintenance Officer Course, 1974, Chanute AFB, IL.
  • Honor Graduate, Aircraft Instrument Repair Course, 1967, Chanute AFB, IL.

Topics of Selected Professional Speeches and Presentations

  • "Medical Malpractice," presented to the Weber County Bar Association.
  • "Medical Malpractice Legislation," presented to the Utah State Medical Association Leadership Conference.
  • "Governmental Immunity," presented before an Interim Committee of the Utah State Legislature.
  • "Tort Reform," presented to the Utah Trial Lawyers Association.
  • "Medical Malpractice," Panel discussion on KUED Television.
  • "Liability of Coaches and Physical Education Teachers," presented to the Utah High School Athletic Association.
  • "Health Care Professional Liability Under the Living Will Act," presented to the Utah Nurses Association.
  • "AIDS - the Impending Crisis," Panel Participant in Symposium sponsored by the Utah State Bar, Utah Hospital Association, Utah Medical Association and Utah Nurses Association.
  • "Medical Malpractice," presented to the Utah Association of Respiratory Therapists.
  • "In Defense of American Tort Law," Honored Alumni Lecture presented to the J. Reuben Clark Law School, published in Clark Memorandum, Fall 1991.
  • "Medical Malpractice Reform - Does Utah Need More?" Presentation at Midyear Meeting of Utah State Bar, 1993.
  • "Medical Malpractice - Prelitigation Issues," presented at CLE luncheon sponsored by Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing, 1992.
  • "Civil Litigation in Utah," - Presented in CLE Seminar sponsored by National Business Institute, Inc., 1991.
  • "Why Doctors and Lawyers Can't Agree on Tort Reform," presented at CLE Seminar sponsored by the Utah State Bar, May 1993.
  • "Medical Malpractice," presented at the Ogden Lions Club, May 1995.
  • "Legal Principles in Medical Malpractice," presented at Medical Malpractice Prelitigation Panel Review Seminar, September 1995.
  • "Physician Reforms of the Medical Malpractice Laws in Utah - Don’t Confuse Them with Facts, Their Minds Are Made Up," Voir Dire, Vol. 1, No. 3, Winter 1996.
  • "Medical Malpractice No-Fault Proposals in Utah," Presented at the Capitol Hill Kiwanis Club, Salt Lake City, July 1997.
  • "Jury Selection," Utah District Judges Conference, Park City, Utah, 1999.
  • "Utah Firearms Laws," presented to an Interim Committee of the Utah Legislature (by invitation), Salt Lake City, Utah, 1999.
  • "Toxic Torts and Technology - Expert Testimony," AIC VII Meeting, Salt Lake City, Utah, 2000.
  • "Mediation Techniques," Utah State Bar Annual Meeting, San Diego, California, July 2000.
  • "Ethical Issues in Ex Parte Contacts with Treating Physicians," Utah Trial Lawyers Association Annual Meeting, Salt Lake City, Utah, September, 2000.
  • "Integrity in the Workplace," BYU Student Honor Society Meeting, Provo, Utah, March 2002.
  • "Applying the New Jury Rules," Presentation (with Judge J. Philip Eves and Timothy Shea, Esq.) to the Utah State Bar Mid-Year Meeting, St. George, Utah, March 2002; Also presented to the Utah District Judges’ Association Meeting, Torrey, Utah, May 2002.
  • "Medical Malpractice Arbitration," Presentation to Local Government Seminar, Provo, Utah, _______, 2004.
  • "The Genesis of the American Inns of Court," The Bencher, September/October 2004
  • Fordham Debate (University of Utah Law School), "Be it Resolved that Medical Malpractice Litigation is a Major Cause of Health Care Cost Increases," March, 2005.
  • Panel Participant, "Can You Be a Conservative and Not Be in Favor of Tort Reform," Utah State Bar Annual Convention, Sun Valley, Idaho, July, 2005.

Miscellaneous

  • Active involvement and service in positions with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon), including Counselor in Utah Salt Lake City Mission Presidency (2006), Stake President of the Salt Lake Highland Stake (1988-1997), Bishop of the Stratford Ward, Salt Lake City, Utah (1985-1988), High Councilor, High Priests Group Leader, Young Men's President, Teacher, Missionary, etc. Read, Write and Speak fluent Spanish. (Served as Missionary in Central America, 1968-1970.)
  • Member, Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity, Alpha Tau Chapter, University of Utah.
  • Coach, Boys basketball teams (1977, 1978, 1991, 1992).
  • Boy Scouts of America, District Award of Merit, Millcreek District, 1996.
  • Team Member, High School Varsity and College Intramural Athletics.
  • Hobbies: piano, synthesizer, guitar, banjo, mandolin, woodworking, reading, sports.

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