Ruth Hackford-Peer
Ruth Hackford-Peer concentrates her practice on both civil and criminal matters, from complex commercial litigation to internal investigations, and is uniquely situated to do so.
Ms. Hackford-Peer is a seasoned trial lawyer and former Assistant United States Attorney in the district of Utah with more than a decade of litigation experience, primarily focused on complex financial crimes litigation in federal court.
Ms. Hackford-Peer has a known track record of resolving high stakes issues, often before formal proceedings are initiated, but is always ready to take a matter to trial. Her first jury trial was seven weeks long! She handles all kinds of litigation from contracts to real estate; personal injury to probate. But Ruth most enjoys working through issues that implicate the Utah Government Immunity Act.
Practice Areas
Education:
- Juris Doctor, 2013: The S.J. Quinney College of Law at the University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
Honors: Order of the Coif, Highest Honors, Class Rank #3, 3rd place in Regional Mediation Team Competition - Master of Education, 2000: University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Honors: Cum Laude - Bachelor of Science in English, 1996: Utah State University
Honors: Magna Cum Laude
Bar Admissions:
- Utah, 2014
- U.S. District Court of Utah
- U.S. Court of Appeals 10th Circuit
Honors:
- S.J Quinney College of Law Young Alumna of the Year Award 2022
- U.S. Attorney’s Award for Excellent Performance by a Litigative Team in U.S. v. Koerber, 2020
Activities:
- Salt Lake County Bar Executive Committee, 2020 – present
- Utah Supreme Court Ethics and Discipline Committee, 2021 – 2024
- David K. Watkiss-Sutherland Inns of Court, 2012 – present (President 2020)
- Adjunct Instructor at S.J. Quinney College of Law, Arbitration (2016), Trial Advocacy (2021 – 2025).
- 10th Circuit Historical Society Utah Chapter, 2026
- Deputy Section Chief of the Securities Fraud Section, USAO
- Utah State Bar Leadership Academy, 2019
Practice Areas:
- Criminal defense matters
- Independent & Internal Investigations
- Commercial Litigation
