Highlights of Eric's Legal Experience

Eric Clarke has the right experience.

As the current Washington County Attorney, Clarke works tirelessly to support law enforcement and help them keep Washington County safe.  He also provides vital work on legal cases that fight for Washington County residents' rights to their public and private lands.

For nine years before becoming County Attorney, Clarke worked in the Washington County Attorney's Office.  He was a deputy county attorney for his first 18 months at the office, and then became the lead civil attorney until he became County Attorney in February of 2020.  

Previous to his time at the Washington County Attorney's Office, Clarke obtained excellent legal experience.  As an undergraduate, Clarke worked with law enforcement at the state legislature for two legislative sessions.  In law school, he published two articles involving criminal procedure.  He was also a research assistant for now Justice Tom Lee of the Utah Supreme Court and Associate Dean Carolina Nunez.  

After law school Calrke had the privilege of clerking for the Honorable Ted Stewart in the U.S. Federal District Court for Utah.  

During his time at the Washington County Attorney's Office, Clarke has worked on a wide range of legal issues impacting the County.  Clarke has been the legal counsel for Washington County in renewing the Desert Tortoise Incidental Take Permit for the past five years.  This permit allows private property in the county to be developed.  When President Trump prioritized transportation projects, the county decided to pursue approval of the Northern Corridor simultaneous to the renewal of the Incidental Take Permit and its accompanying Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP).  Clarke worked tirelessly on this long federal process, with targeting completion of legal permission for a northern corridor and a new 25-year permit by the end of President Trump’s first term in office.  Private groups have now filed lawsuits to prevent the construction of the Northern Corridor and Clarke will continue to fight for Washington County's rights.

Clarke knows the various laws that counties grapple with.  He has represented Washington County in federal court, state court, and before administrative bodies.  Through those cases, he has filed suit against the federal government and has gotten several lawsuits against the county dismissed.  He is familiar with the many aspects of law enforcement and is committed to supporting our law enforcement community!

Additionally, Clarke is excited about the many ways the Washington County Attorney’s Office has improved criminal justice in recent years.  Clarke is eager to lead efforts to reduce crime and save taxpayer funds with new repeat offender mitigation projects including using expert trauma interviewers and exploring ways to encourage offenders to complete appropriate treatment.  Clarke will continue to prioritize these efforts as County Attorney.

Eric Clarke is experienced, qualified, and dedicated as the Washington County Attorney!