David has deep, first-hand knowledge of the tenure and promotion process, academic governance, and the often-complex policies and procedures that govern institutions of higher education. He understands how decisions are made behind the scenes—and how those decisions can violate rights when institutions overreach or fail to follow their own rules.

As both a professor and a litigator, David brings unmatched insight into the inner workings of educational institutions. He is well-versed in state and federal laws governing education, employment, discrimination, due process, academic freedom, and Title IX, as well as contract and constitutional protections for faculty, staff, students, athletes, and coaches.

David now fights to protect the rights, reputations, and careers of individuals in disputes with universities, colleges, and K–12 schools. His advocacy is grounded in experience, and his passion is for justice in education.

• University of Houston, J.D. 2009
• London School of Economics, MSc. 2005
• University of Utah, 2004, BA

• Financial Analysis and Valuation for Lawyers, Harvard Law School (2021)
• National Institute of Trial Advocacy, Trial Skills (2012)
• National Institute of Trial Advocacy, ABA Family Law Trial Program (2019)

• Read Law, LLC
• Cordell & Cordell
• Strong & Hanni
• Judicial Clerkship, The Honorable Judge Thomas L. Kay, Utah’s Second District Court

• Business Law Practitioner of the Year (2016) – Utah Bar Association
• Mountain States, Rising Star  (2020)
• Academy of Legal Studies Best Paper Award, 2016
• Mountain States Super Lawyers “Rising Stars” (multiple years)
• Utah Business Magazine, Utah Legal Elite (multiple years)

• Gardner v. Gardner, 2019 UT 61
• Robertson v. Stevens 2020 UT App 29
• Tenure Dispute Victory for Professor
  Mr. Read represented a university professor who had been denied tenure at the department level despite a strong record of teaching, research, and service. Drawing on his deep understanding of university policies, peer review standards, and the legal obligations of academic institutions, Mr. Read successfully challenged the flawed process and secured tenure for the client through internal appeal and negotiation—preserving the professor’s career and academic future.
• $450,000 Settlement in Wrongful Adverse Action Case
  When a university took adverse action against a faculty member without due process or adherence to institutional policy, Mr. Read filed suit for breach of contract, retaliation, and procedural violations. Leveraging his command of state and federal law—including constitutional protections and employment rights within public institutions—Mr. Read negotiated a $450,000 settlement on behalf of the faculty member, bringing meaningful compensation and accountability.
• School Bullying and Parental Advocacy
  Mr. Read represented a parent whose child was the target of repeated bullying and administrative inaction at a local public school. By navigating both district policy and state education law, Mr. Read compelled the school to implement a formal safety plan, assign additional supervision, and provide counseling accommodations. His advocacy ensured that the child returned to a safe learning environment—and that the parent’s voice was heard.

• Family Law Section, Utah Bar Association
• Business Law Section, Utah Bar Association
• American Bar Association, member
• Utah Bar Association, member
• Chair, Business Law Section – 2023 – 2024
• Editorial Board, 2016 Utah Business Law for Entrepreneurs and Managers
• Utah Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

• Technology-enhanced employees and the Americans with disabilities act
  KS Lee, D Read
  J. High Tech. L. 18, i (Suffolk University)
• Erosion of Access to Consumer Bankruptcy’s “Fresh Start” Policy in the United States: Statutory Reforms Needed to Enhance Access to Justice and Promote Social Justice
  RJ Landry, D Read
  William & Mary Policy Review 7 (1), 51-94 (William & Mary)
• Exploring employee misconduct in the workplace: individual, organizational, and opportunity factors
  B Davis, D Read, S Powell
  Journal of Academic and Business Ethics
• The Case for Extending Coverage of the Family and Medical Leave Act to Include a Period of Time Following the Death of a Family Member for Whom Leave Was Taken.
  KS Lee, D Read, C Markham
  Southern Law Journal 28 (1) (Academy of Legal Studies in Business)
• Insights from Snowboard Pedagogy for the Legal Studies Instructor
  JS Anderson, D Read, KS Lee, J Linford
  DePaul J. Sports L. 16, i (DePaul University)
• Documentos: Legally Instructive Narratives in Mexican-American Memoirs and United States Immigration Law
  P Guajardo, D Read
  Texas Hispanic Journal of Law & Policy 24, 1 (University of Texas at Austin)
• A Primer on Teaching the Law of Wills, Probate, and Basic Estate Planning Documents to Business Law Students
  D Read, WA Bailey
  Southern Law Journal of Business and Ethics 7, 11-35 (Academy of Legal Studies in Business)
• A Pedagogical Exploration of Engagement Ring Law in the United States
  D Read, et. al.
  The Rocky Mountain Law Journal 4 (1) (Academy of Legal Studies in Business)
• The Corporation of the Presiding Bishop v. Amos after Thirty Years: Exploring Limits of Religious Freedom, Church Employment, and the Civil Rights Act
  DW Read, KS Lee, J Anderson, CS Pehrson
  Boston University Public Interest Law Journal 28 (2)
• Man’s Inhumanity to Man: Mexican-American Prison Memoirs and the Law
  D Read, PA Guajardo, P Guajardo
• The Intersection of Divorce and Tort Law in Utah
  D Read, M Stevens
  Utah Journal of Family Law (Utah Bar Association)
• Extending the Leave Protections of the Family and Medical Leave Act
  K Lee, D Read, C Markham
  Southern Law Journal 28 (1) (Academy of Legal Studies in Business)
• Teaching Divorce Law in the Business Law Curriculum: An Examination of the Pedagogy, a Substantive Law Primer, and a Case Study
  D Read
  Rocky Mountain LJ 6, 57 (Academy of Legal Studies in Business)
• Religiosity and Consumer Bankruptcy: A State-Level Analysis.
  D Read, RJ Landry
  The Consumer Finance Law Quarterly Report 68 (1)
• Trust in Value Co-Creation Strategies: moving toward a conceptualization we can trust
  D Read, Y Jin, SE Fawcett
  Journal of Business Logistics 35 (1) ( Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals)

Mr. Matthew Wadsworth learned from playing NCAA college football there is no substitute for time in the game. He has logged thousands of hours as a trial attorney in both state and federal court conducting multiple week-long jury trials. He is a difference maker and is worthy of your consideration. Mr. Wadsworth’s university practice is active and he recently negotiated a $500,000.00 plus faculty rights matter in state court.

Mr. Wadsworth earned his Bachelor’s from the University of Utah in Economics where he graduated in the top ten percent of his class. Matt earned his Juris Doctor from Oklahoma City University School of Law, where he graduated in the top third of his class and earned the Cali Award in Real Estate Finance and Development and the top grade in Land Use and Development.

As a senior partner at the law firm, Arnold, Wadsworth & Coggins, he leads out with his expansive real-estate practice which includes advising college students and college administrators on real estate law and rights. Mr. Wadsworth law practice started out of law school at the largest foreclosure firm in Utah and the western United States (Lundberg & Associates). During this time, he managed and processed thousands of foreclosures and post-foreclosure eviction files, giving him the experience and skill in resolving through mediation and litigation critical matters of real property law.

He is also the Arnold, Wadsworth, & Coggin’s legislative liaison and handles its lobbying needs. Mr. Wadsworth’s most recent legislative work with the Utah legislature was sponsoring House Bill 299 with Gage Froerer, which amended the State of Utah’s unlawful detainer statute. Matt understands the relationship between government and individual rights regarding university or school matters.