James B. Hanks

Mr. Hanks has practiced law in Utah state and federal courts since receiving his law degree from Gonzaga University in 1984 and has obtained experience in most major areas of law practice. After receiving his license, Mr. Hanks practiced with the labor law firm of Cook and Wilde where he received training and experience in employment and labor matters. Thereafter, he worked for Kipp and Christian, a Salt Lake City law firm, and handled a wide variety of cases including personal injury and insurance defense matters, and provided legal counsel to a Salt Lake City Bank. In 1992, Mr. Hanks began his own law practice, working subsequently as Hanks & Rooker, P.C., Hanks, Rooker & Denning, P.C., and presently, as Hanks & Mortensen, P.C. Early in his career, Mr. Hanks began taking family law/divorce cases and that portion of his practice has grown over the years to where it has now become a major part of his practice.

Mr. Hanks has successfully litigated numerous high conflict complex divorce/family law cases involving substantial assets, large alimony awards and difficult custody issues and has broad experience in adoption matters and cases involving the termination of parental rights. He has argued cases before the Utah Supreme Court, the Utah Court of Appeals and has substantial courtroom experience. He was included in the 2007 edition of Mountain States Super Lawyers in Family Law. He has also been recognized in Utah Business Magazine (2004-2008) as one of Utah's premier family law attorneys. He has attained Martindale-Hubbell's highest rating (AV rating) for legal ability and ethical standards. Mr. Hanks has been a frequent lecturer and presenter at family law seminars.

Mr. Hanks' practice also includes personal injury actions, civil litigation, criminal defense, and wills and trusts. He has practiced before administrative agencies, including workman's compensation cases. He has served as a judge pro tem.

Mr. Hanks received a bachelor of science degree in mining engineering from the University of Utah in 1981 and received an engineer in training license (E.I.T.) the same year. Prior to his legal training, he worked in an underground coal mine in Carbon County, Utah, and worked in open pit copper mines in Utah and Arizona.