Utah Adoption Attorney - Derek J. Williams

08/21/2025

For those that follow this page, some big changes are coming. I have been appointed by Utah's Governor, Spencer Cox, to be a judge on Utah's 3rd District Court (primarily Salt Lake County). The final step came this afternoon when the Utah Senate voted to confirm my appointment. I'm excited, honored, and humbled to make this major career change. I'm sad to leave my law firm partners, but excited to join a group of very good judges in the 3rd District.

Thank you to all my awesome clients who have referred me to others. I have hundreds of pictures of you and your families that I will keep and cherish. I will miss representing couples that are building their families through adoption but I'm so excited I will still get to finalize adoptions, just from the other side of the bench. My partners Dave Ference and Jacob Nelson are going to continue my adoption practice, thanks to my longtime adoption paralegal, Pam Hepworth, who knows more than I do about adoption. Call them. https://www.cwfnhlaw.com/
It has been a great 20+ years practicing as an attorney. Time to try something big. Let's do it! https://www.utahbar.org/gov-cox-appoints-derek-williams.../

SALT LAKE CITY (July 11, 2025) –  Governor Spencer J. Cox has appointed attorney Derek Williams to the 3rd District Court. The nomination is subject to confirmation by the Utah Senate.

02/12/2025

I have not posted for a while, but must celebrate one of my "repeat offenders." We did Charlie's adoption about 6 years ago and today we finalized Lennon's adoption. Alex & Alisha are dear friends and I am so happy my professional practice leads me to families like this. Great people who just want to be parents, and will be really good ones. Congratulations!

06/25/2024

I think last week was a record for me. SEVEN adoption finalization hearings in five days. Great families, great judges, and a lot of filling of my personal bucket. I even got to see the Atkinson family from my old WVC days (second adoption for those siblings this year). Look at some of my awesome clients...

05/23/2024

Yesterday was a special day for Ivy Phoenix Mortensen. She was adopted after waiting in foster care for 3 1/2 years with the Mortensen family. We completed the adoption for her baby sister Lewelyn about 4 months ago, and Ivy couldn't wait for her day. She researched and picked her own new first name "Ivy" because it means "Gift from God". Then, we were able to get it scheduled on her 8th birthday. Such a fun and special day for her. LOVE IT!

03/31/2024

A great, simple step by step guide through a private adoption. Call me at step 4 (or earlier if you have legal questions).

07/09/2023

This was another fun one (I guess they are all fun). I love the adoptions of older kids. Tyreek was adopted by the Jewkes family, who had previously adopted his younger brother and sister. After a long wait, the timing was right for him to legally join them. A really neat hearing with one of the largest groups of family/friends that attended this special occasion. Thank you for letting me help you.

03/25/2023

Adult adoptions are possible and very meaningful. Kim and Anthony were foster parents to Kari, now in her 40s, when she was a teenager years ago. Although she connected and bonded with their family, they were never allowed to adopt her out of foster care before she turned 18 yrs old. Now, years later, I had the privilege of helping them make legal and official what has been in their hearts for 25+ years. It was a unique and fun adoption to be a part of. Thank you Kari, Kim, and Anthony for calling me. Congratulations!