The law firm of Winder & Counsel, PC was formed in 1983. The firm is composed of experienced and dynamic attorneys representing numerous and varied clients.

The firm also has a medical doctor as an of counsel attorney.

In addition to the firm's commitment to high standards of professional competence and integrity, the firm maintains a strong tradition of service to the public and the Utah State Bar.

• Donald J. Winder
• John W. Holt
• Linette Bailey Hutton, R.N.
• Jerald V. Hale
• Lance Sorenson
• Robert K. Rothfeder, M.D., of counsel

Donald J. Winder is listed in Best Lawyers in America. Less than 2% of all attorneys in Utah have been so honored.

Donald J. Winder is also a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates and is the only attorney in Utah to be Board Certified in Civil Trial Advocacy by the National Board of Trial Advocacy.

Donald J. Winder has also been selected for inclusion in the 3000 Leading Plaintiffs’ Lawyers in America. Only 5 other attorneys in Utah have been so honored. Donald J. Winder has been interviewed on Fox National News (live on several occasions), CNN and CNN International, Global TV, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, and numerous times on and by Salt Lake City’s local television stations and local, national and international newspapers.

Donald J. Winder (Business Litigation) and Linette B. Hutton (Insurance Coverage) have been selected for inclusion in the 2009 list of Mountain States Super Lawyers. Fewer than 850 of all attorneys in the Intermountain West were selected. Further, Donald J. Winder has been selected as one of The Top Seventy-Five Attorneys in the Mountain States.

Donald J. Winder (Business Litigation), John W. Holt (Business Litigation) and Linette B. Hutton (Civil Trial) have been further selected for inclusion in the 2009 edition of the Utah Legal Elite, as published in the January edition of the Utah Business Magazine.

John W. Holt is listed in The Insurance Bar (2005-06), a selected directory of preeminent lawyers.

The firm has the highest peer review rating given by Martindale-Hubbell ("AV"); has been approved by Best's Directory of Recommended Insurance Attorneys; is a member of International Society of Primerus Law Firms and International Network of Boutique Law Firms; and is listed in the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers. Less than 5% of all U.S. law firms qualify and are included in the Bar Register.

Among other areas, the firm focuses on cases in which medical knowledge is as important as legal knowledge. So, unlike other firms, we have an of counsel attorney who is also a clinically experienced doctor (a former head of a hospital emergency room) and another attorney who is a registered nurse, as members of our team. They work closely with our clients and other attorneys, from the initial interview through settlement or trial, overseeing medical issues, advising on strategy, and recruiting top-notch medical experts critical to an excellent outcome.

Our team, by combining law and medicine, is uniquely qualified to represent you or your organization. We know of no other firm in Utah comprised of an attorney who is also a medical doctor and an attorney who is a registered nurse. This truly is an unbeatable team.

The highest accolade in the legal profession has come to Winder & Counsel through the firm's invitation for membership in the International Society of Primerus Law Firms, an organization that scrutinizes firms throughout the country, culling the cream of small to mid-sized law firms for this special honor.

Before extending an invitation, the Primerus Society requires answers to numerous questions, such as: do firm members present their cases well; do they file motions and briefs on time; are client phone calls answered quickly, and do the attorneys communicate all relevant information clearly and promptly?

Because of the reputation of the firm in the community, because of its professional expertise and because it has earned the seal of the International Society of Primerus Law Firms, any clients selecting the firm of Winder & Counsel will have chosen a firm with members dedicated to providing the highest quality of service.

Another great indication of experience is membership in the National Board of Trial Advocates. Donald J. Winder is the only attorney in Utah to be a Civil Trial Diplomate.

A listing of the many criteria necessary for Diplomate status may be found on the "Judging an Attorney" section of this web site.

One of the best indications of experience is membership in trial academies. The American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) is the nation's premier trial academy.

Membership is by invitation only. A minimum of twenty jury trials (first chair) or ten jury trials and the equivalent bench trial experience is required. Further, all trials must be listed. Finally, each application is screened by and voted upon by the local chapter and the National Board of Directors.

Donald J. Winder is a proud member of ABOTA. He has served as Utah Chapter President (1998 & 1999), served in 2002 on the National Board of Directors as a Presidential Appointee, and is again on the National Board of Directors (2005-current).

Another great indication of experience is the publication Best Lawyers in America. Donald J. Winder has been selected for inclusion in the Best Lawyers in America. Best Lawyers has come to be regarded by both the legal profession and the public as the definitive guide to legal excellence in the United States.

Because Best Lawyers is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey in which 15,000 leading attorneys throughout the country confidentially cast more than half a million "votes" on the legal abilities of other lawyers in their specialties, inclusion in Best Lawyers should be, and is, considered a singular honor.

Because lawyers are not required or allowed to pay a fee to be listed, Best Lawyers has gained the respect of the legal profession, the media and clients as the most reliable, unbiased source of legal referrals anywhere. Less than 2% of the lawyers in Utah have been selected for this honor.

Donald J. Winder and Linette B. Hutton have also been selected for inclusion in the 2007 - 2009 list of Mountain States Super Lawyers. Fewer than 850 of all attorneys in the Intermountain West were selected. A multi-step process is used that incorporates peer recognition, professional achievement and an evaluation of numerous other factors in producing a list of outstanding attorneys.

Selection is based upon votes of attorneys from five states, professional achievement, internal research, and a review of nominees by a blue ribbon panel of leading attorneys, which considers peer recognition as well as professional achievement. Donald J. Winder has further been selected as one of The Top Seventy-Five Attorneys in the Mountain States.

Donald J. Winder (Business Litigation), John W. Holt (Business Litigation) and Linette B. Hutton (Civil Trial) have been further selected in the 2007 - 2009 editions of the Utah Legal Elite. The selection process was rigorous. It began by inviting members of the Utah bar to participate by submitting a ballot of Utah lawyers they hold in the highest regard—lawyers they have observed firsthand and would recommend to others.

Nominators were allowed to cast only one ballot and could not vote for themselves. The list was pared down by number of votes and a Blue Ribbon Panel of prominent lawyers in each specialty reviewed the list of attorneys. Results were published in the January editions of the Utah Business Magazine.