Justice Alito Administered Oath in Salt Lake City
The Supreme Court justice performed the ceremonial swearing-in for Utah Supreme Court Justice Jay Jorgensen.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Latter-Day Saints
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U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito traveled to the Matheson Courthouse to conduct the ceremonial investiture for Utah Supreme Court Justice Jay Jorgensen. The event marked a formal celebration of Jorgensen's transition to the state's highest court.
Why it matters
Justice Alito attended the ceremony to honor a long-standing professional bond with Jorgensen, who previously served as his law clerk on the U.S. Court of Appeals. The appointment follows a significant legislative expansion of the state judicial body.
The Utah Supreme Court expanded from five to seven seats following state legislative action. Justice Alito and Justice Jorgensen share a professional relationship spanning 30 years.
The players
Samuel Alito
He is an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States.
Jay Jorgensen
He is a recently confirmed justice serving on the Utah Supreme Court.
Spencer Cox
He is the serving Governor of Utah who met with Justice Alito during the visit.
Matthew Durrant
He is the former Chief Justice of the Utah Supreme Court who retired in August 2026.
Diana Hagen
She is a former justice of the Utah Supreme Court who resigned in May 2026.
The details
The investiture took place at the Matheson Courthouse, where Justice Alito also held meetings with Governor Spencer Cox and other state officials. The expansion of the court follows a period of transition that included the resignation of Justice Diana Hagen and the retirement of Chief Justice Matthew Durrant.
Timeline
Justice Diana Hagen resigned in May 2026.
Jay Jorgensen officially took office on June 17, 2026.
Chief Justice Matthew Durrant retired in August 2026.
Matthew Bell and Michael Menssen were confirmed between September 14-18, 2026.
Samuel Alito attended the ceremonial investiture on September 21, 2026.
Roadmap
The investiture highlights the state's ongoing judicial restructuring under the Utah Legislature's Supreme Court expansion act. This shift marks a departure from the long-standing five-seat model, signaling a broader effort to increase the court's capacity.
Residents may see changes in case processing times as the court shifts to a seven-seat structure. The inclusion of new justices like Jorgensen, Bell, and Menssen is expected to influence upcoming state legal rulings and judicial policy.
The takeaway
The event highlights the importance of mentorship within legal circles and the practical evolution of state courts. Observers should note how the newly expanded bench will approach future legislative challenges in Utah.
Further reading
Learn more about the state's judicial landscape on the Latter-Day Saints section page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KSL.
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