Attorney James P. McGarvey

Salt Lake City · Utah 4.7 ★ · 60 Google reviews Lawyers of Distinction · 2019

Your rights.
Your future.

Family law, criminal defense, and personal injury — handled personally by one attorney who returns your calls, knows the courtroom, and treats your future like his own.

Request a consultation Call (801) 784-8654
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Practice areas,
one advocate
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Years of military
service before law
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Google reviews —
4.7-star average
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Attorney on your case,
start to finish

Practice areas

Three fronts.
One standard.

Whatever brought you here — a marriage ending, a charge filed, an accident that wasn't your fault — you get the same thing: an attorney who prepares like it's going to trial and negotiates like your future depends on it. Because it does.

Family cases are an emotional roller-coaster that tests the strongest of us. James built his career here — from the Legal Aid Society of Salt Lake to co-founding a Family Law Student Society in law school — and he works tirelessly to shield his clients' rights through the divorce and custody process, with the training to mediate when peace is possible and the resolve to litigate when it isn't.

  • Divorce
  • Child custody & parent-time
  • Child support
  • Paternity & parentage
  • Protective orders
  • Modifications & enforcement
  • Guardianship & adoption
  • Prenuptial & postnuptial
  • Relocation
  • Mediation
Talk through your situation

The fear of the unknown weighs heavily when you're facing charges. James defends misdemeanors and felonies across Utah courts — taking cases to trial when your rights demand it, and negotiating with prosecutors for a favorable resolution when trial isn't in your best interest. Either way, you'll know exactly where your case stands.

  • DUI
  • Assault
  • Theft & shoplifting
  • Drug possession
  • Domestic violence allegations
  • Weapons charges
  • Traffic & license violations
  • Felony defense
Protect your record

The vast majority of injury cases never see a courtroom — they're settled through negotiation between your attorney and the insurance company. That's exactly where you want a negotiator who prepares every file like a trial exhibit. James works to make sure the settlement you accept is the one you actually deserve. Injury consultations are free.

  • Car accidents
  • Motorcycle accidents
  • Slip & fall
  • Dog bites
  • Products liability
  • Medical malpractice
  • Wrongful death
Get a free case review

The McGarvey standard

Three words he
answers to. Daily.

Loyal.

One attorney on your side from the first call to the final order — not a rotating cast of associates. Your case is his case.

Aggressive.

Prepared to take it to trial, trained to negotiate, and never willing to let the other side set the terms of your future.

Professional.

Straight answers, honest strategy, and calls returned personally and promptly — so you're never left wondering.

“James empathizes with his clients and works tirelessly to shield their rights through the divorce and custody process.”
— The promise the firm was built on
Attorney James P. McGarvey
James P. McGarvey Attorney & Counselor at Law
  • Bar admissionsUtah · U.S. District Court, District of Utah
  • RecognitionLawyers of Distinction, 2019 · NAFLA Top 10 Under 40, 2019
  • MediationQualified under Nebraska Supreme Court requirements
  • OwnershipVeteran-owned practice

About James

Soldier first.
Advocate for life.

Before law school there were eight years in the Utah Army National Guard. What followed — legal aid clinics, a family-law society he co-founded, thousands of hours in Utah courtrooms — turned discipline into a practice built around the people he serves.

  1. U.S. Army National Guard

    Eight-plus years of service in the Utah Army National Guard before ever opening a casebook — where preparation, discipline, and loyalty became habit.

  2. University of Utah

    B.S. in Political Science with an Honors Program Certificate in Preparation for Legal Study.

  3. Creighton University School of Law, J.D.

    Co-founded the Family Law Student Society, earned concentrations in litigation and criminal law, and qualified as a mediator under Nebraska Supreme Court requirements.

  4. Legal Aid Society of Salt Lake

    Family law for the people who needed it most — the cases that shaped how he treats every client since.

  5. Intermountain Legal, P.C.

    Associate family law attorney, sharpening courtroom instincts across contested divorce and custody matters.

  6. Law Office of James P. McGarvey, PLLC

    His own firm, built on the standard he answers to daily: loyal, aggressive, professional.

Mentored along the way by Stuart Dornan (former FBI agent and District Attorney), Greg J. O'Meara, S.J., and the Hon. Sharon McCully, former President of the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges.

Client voices

The record
speaks.

“I have never liked lawyers before but I absolutely love James. Best legal decision I ever made by far.”
Dwayne Burton — five-star Google review
“James is a great lawyer. He didn't just handle my case with precision, he also is an extremely personable individual. He was able to make my process streamlined and alleviated a lot of stress from the situation.”
Joshua Morley — Google review
“I came to James after another firm mishandled my case—complex issues that I felt had no hope. From Day One, his laser focus and legal insight were evident. He immediately unraveled the mess I inherited and put a strategic plan into motion.”
Braden K. — Google review
“I have never met a lawyer who answered his phone on the weekend, I've never met a lawyer so passionate about justice. James puts his heart in the game and I really believe that makes the difference.”
Thomas Camoin — five-star Google review
“James genuinely wants to help, which makes him very good. He was passionate in my case, and the results were better than I imagined in a case like mine. I got my kids and they're thriving because James fought like a lion for me!”
Scott Anderson — five-star Google review
“Just the peace of mind alone was worth any amount of money I spent.”
Patricia Danklef — five-star Google review
“In the end, you will be extremely glad you had him on your side and advocating for you. Worth every penny.”
Crystal Moulton — five-star Google review
“James is the hardest working, most dedicated, compassionate, and knowledgeable attorney I can imagine working with.”
Eric Johanos — Google review
“I would highly recommend James. He is VERY passionate about getting what is fair and just. He is a caring and stand-up guy.”
Dan Hathaway — Facebook review
“Very professional, reviews your case in detail and explains the situation with compassion and no judging.”
Darlene Tart — Facebook review

Read all 60 reviews on Google

Questions

Asked &
answered.

The first conversation is easier when you know what to expect. Anything else — just ask.

How quickly will James get back to me?

Promptly — and personally. James is devoted to returning clients' calls and emails himself, and to keeping you informed on every facet of your case. You talk to your attorney, not a call center.

What should I bring to a first consultation?

Any court papers or police reports you've received, relevant documents and dates, and a short written timeline of events. Bring your questions, too — the first meeting is about understanding your situation and your options.

Which courts can James appear in?

James is admitted to practice before the Utah state courts and the U.S. District Court for the District of Utah.

Will my case go to trial?

Not necessarily. Many family matters resolve through negotiation or mediation — where James is formally trained — and most injury claims settle with the insurer before trial. When trial is the right path, your case will already be prepared for it.

How do fees work?

Openly and up front. Fees are discussed at your consultation before any work begins, so you always know where you stand. Personal injury consultations are free.

Consultation

Let's talk about
what's next.

Tell James what's happening. He'll tell you where you stand — and what he'd do about it.

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