Jeffrey L. Trousdale
jtrousdale@ck.law
P: (801) 363-4300
F: (801) 363-4378
Jeff practices law so that he can help clients redress wrongs and resolve complicated situations. When approaching a legal issue, he strives to consider the “real-life” issues that surround it: what are the motives at play, how will a specific legal action impact his client’s business or personal goals, and, ultimately, what will lead to the best possible result for his client? With that in mind, Jeff focuses on efficiency, clear communication, and pragmatism in his legal practice.
Bankruptcy
Business Formation and Planning
Civil Litigation
Commercial Litigation
Creditors’ Rights
Jeff has expertise in all aspects of bankruptcy law, including debtor representation, creditor rights, representation of chapter 7 and chapter 11 trustees, and defending against claims—such as denial of discharge under Bankruptcy Code Sections 523 and 727, preference actions under Bankruptcy Code Section 547, and fraudulent and avoidable transfers under Bankruptcy Code Sections 544 and 548—made by trustees, creditors, and debtors-in-possession. Jeff is also experienced in commercial litigation, negotiating complex commercial transactions, and business formation and planning.
Jeff’s three years as a law clerk to the Honorable Joel T. Marker, in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Utah, grant him unique insight into bankruptcy law and the judicial decision-making process, and he utilizes that experience when guiding his clients through bankruptcy and non-bankruptcy matters.
Since joining Cohne Kinghorn in 2016, Jeff’s representative experience includes: representation of a construction company in a complex chapter 11 case, including over 25 classes of secured creditors, resulting in a confirmed plan of reorganization; pro bono representation resulting in the successful recovery of real property fraudulently taken from an individual; representation of an online retailer in a chapter 11 case resulting in a confirmed plan of reorganization; and multiple cases representing assignees for the benefit of creditors, debtors-in-possession, and bankruptcy trustees for companies involved in oil, gas, and mining.
University of North Carolina School of Law
J.D., 2013
- High Honors
- Order of the Coif (top 10%)
- Pro Bono Award (over 100 hours pro bono)
- University of North Carolina Consumer Financial Transactions Clinic, recipient of 2013 Clinical Legal Education Association Outstanding Student Award
- North Carolina Law Review, Staff Member
- Immigration Law Association, President
- Christian Legal Society, Vice-President
University of Portland
B.A., Communication Studies, 2009
- Cum laude
- The Beacon, Men’s Sports Reporter
Bar Admissions
- Utah
- “Claim Objections in Bankruptcy,” Utah Bankruptcy Lawyers Forum, Speaker, March 2017
- “Exploring the Bounds of Creativity in Utah’s Exemption Laws,” Utah Bankruptcy Lawyers Forum, Speaker, March 2019
- Utah Bankruptcy Lawyers Forum, “Trustee, Secretary, and Vice President” (2014 – Present)
- Citizen Potawatomi Nation, Tribal Member
- Catholic Community Services, Refugee Resettlement Program, Group Leader (2014-2015)
- Justice Matters, Immigration & Anti-Human Trafficking Legal Fellow (2012)
- Missio Dei Community
Jeff is a competitive tennis player; a not-so-competitive soccer, volleyball, and basketball player; a bike-commuter, craft-beer enjoyer, and an NBA fan. Since moving to Utah in 2013, he has picked up downhill skiing and rock climbing as well. On occasion, he likes to engage in discussions on theology, justice, culture, and life in general. Mostly though, he enjoys hanging out with his wife and daughter and exploring Utah’s beautiful outdoor playground with them.