Jeffry R. Gittins, Partner
Jeff Gittins, a partner at Smith Hartvigsen PLLC, practices primarily in the areas of water law and land use. He assists governmental entities, corporations, and private individuals in all aspects of water law, including water rights transactions, water rights analysis, water rights litigation, and applications with the Utah Division of Water Rights. He also represents clients in matters involving zoning disputes, condemnation, easements, boundary disputes, and other land use issues. Prior to joining Smith|Hartvigsen, Mr. Gittins served as a clerk to the Honorable Justice Jill N. Parrish of the Utah Supreme Court.
Practice Areas
- Water Law
- Natural Resources
- Land Use
- Appellate
Professional Memberships
Admitted to the following:
- 2007 – Utah State Bar
- 2007 – Energy, Natural Resources, and Environmental Law Section
- 2007 – American Water Resources Association (AWRA)
Awards and Distinctions
- 2022-2023 Vice-Chair, ENREL Section of Utah Bar Association
- 2021-2022 – Secretary, ENREL Section of Utah Bar Association
- 2021-2022 – Included in list of Super Lawyers in Energy and Natural Resource Law by Mountain States Super Lawyers Magazine
- 2020-2021 – Treasurer, ENREL Section of Utah Bar Association
- 2016-2020 – Chair of Water Law Committee, ENREL Section of Utah Bar Association
- 2009-2022 – Utah Bar Pro Bono Honor Roll for volunteering at the Street Law Clinic
- 2010-2020 – Included in list of “Rising Stars” in Energy and Natural Resource Law by Mountain States Super Lawyers Magazine
- 2016-2022 – Included in list of “Utah Legal Elite” in Energy and Natural Resource Law by Utah Business Magazine
- 2019-2023 – Included in list of “The Best Lawyers in America” for Water Law
Publications and Presentations
- Utah Water Rights 101, Rural Water Association of Utah conference, August 2022
- Best Practices for Conveying Water Rights, Real Property Law Section of the Utah Bar Association, March 2022
- Legislative and Case Law Update, Utah Water Users Conference, May 2021
- Best Practices for Conveying Water, Utah Land Title Association, September 2020
- Best Practices for Conveying Water Rights, Real Property Law Section of the Utah Bar Association, October 2019
- Legislative and Case Law Update, Utah Water Law and Policy Seminar, March 2019
- Legislative and Case Law Update, Utah Water Law and Policy Seminar, March 2018
- Legislative and Case Law Update, Utah Water Law and Policy Seminar, March 2017
- Basic Principles of Utah Water Law Water Rights Management and Planning Seminar, August 2016
- Introduction to Utah Water Law, HalfMoon Seminar on Utah Water Laws and Regulations, February 2010
- Securing and Preserving Title to Water Rights, State and Local Government Conference, March 2012
- Rules to Remember When Purchasing Water Rights, FENCELINES Magazine, Spring 2011
- Rules to Remember When Purchasing Water Rights, FENCELINES Magazine, Winter 2012
- Management of Water Rights, Rural Water Association of Utah Conference, August 2015
- Securing and Preserving Title to Water Rights, Irrigation Company Training Conference, September 2015
- Introduction to Water Law and Securing and Preserving Title to Water Rights, Utah Water Laws and Regulations Seminar, January 2016
- Records Management, Private Nonprofit Water Conference, Rural Water Association of Utah, July 2014
- Navigating Title to Water Rights in Utah, Utah Water Users Workshop, March 2014
- Legal Update on Water Rights, Utah County Water Forum, January 2014
- Working Through the Water Right Title Update Process, Utah Water Law and Policy Seminar, March 2013
- Introduction to Utah Water Law, HalfMoon Seminar on Utah Water Laws and Regulations, March 2013
- Securing and Preserving Title to Water Rights, HalfMoon Seminar on Utah Water Laws and Regulations, March 2013
- Records Management, Rural Water Association, March 2011
- Bormann Revisited: Using the Penn Central Test to Determine the Constitutionality of Right-to-Farm Statutes, 2006 BYU Law Review 1381
- Excluding the Exclusionary Rule: Extending the Rationale of Hudson v. Michigan to Evidence Seized During Unauthorized Nighttime Searches, 2007 BYU Law Review 451
- Noteworthy Laws Passed During the 2009 Legislative Session, Utah Bar Journal, July/August 2009
Education
- Juris Doctor, J. Reuben Clark Law School at Brigham Young University, magna cum laude; Order of the Coif, 2007
- Editor-in-Chief of BYU Law Review, 2007
- Lead Editor of the BYU Journal of Public Law, 2007
- Associate Editor of the International Law and Management Review, 2007
- Bachelor of Science in Business and Agribusiness, Utah State University, summa cum laude, 2004
- Valedictorian for the College of Agriculture
- University Honors
- Honors in Business