DART - Key Persons
Adrienne Wiseman has been practicing family law exclusively since 2017. She has experience in a wide variety of areas, including divorce, parentage, legal separation, premarital and postnuptial agreements, protective orders, adoptions, modifications, and enforcement actions. Adrienne uses a common-sense approach to family law while strongly advocating for her clients, whether that be in collaboration, mediation, or litigation. Recognizing that each case is unique, Adrienne strives to find creative solutions to best serve the distinct and personal needs of her clients and their families.
Education:
University of Utah, S.J. Quinney College of Law
Job Titles:
- PARTNER / Family Law and Domestic Relations, Mediation / Collaborative Practice, Estate Planning
Amy Kennedy began her legal career in 1997 with family law as a central focus of her practice. In 2015, Amy was admitted to the prestigious American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML), a national organization of preeminent family law attorneys.
Amy has over twenty years of experience in family law and uses her knowledge-base to help clients resolve disputes with dignity and compassion. She also has a strong background with a wide range of issues, including valuation and distribution of diverse marital assets, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, child custody, child support, and alimony. Amy also assists clients with their essential estate planning needs.
Amy prefers to use collaborative law and mediation as tools to solve even the most complex family law matters because she sees these approaches as the best way to achieve lasting solutions for clients and their families. She is skilled in the courtroom and takes a firm yet compassionate approach to litigation, realizing that family relationships will long outlast legal proceedings.
Education:
University of Utah, S.J. Quinney College of Law, J.D., 1997
San Jose State University, B.A., Political Science (Public Policy), 1993
Job Titles:
- PARTNER / Family Law and Domestic Relations, Mediation / Collaborative Practice
Before retiring, Bert's law practice focused on divorce, primarily involving cases with large marital estates and complex financial issues. He had a reputation of being a strong and fair advocate for his clients. Throughout his career, he has been active in community service and Bar Association activities, serving as President for the Utah State Bar Association and as chairman for a number of civic and community service foundations. Bert was named Outstanding Domestic Lawyer of the Year in 1986 and 1987, and is an inaugural recipient of the Utah State Bar's Professionalism Award for actions representing the highest standards of fairness, integrity, and civility. He also received a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011.
Education:
University of Utah, S.J. Quinney College of Law, J.D., 1961
Craig joined Dart, Adamson & Donovan in 1998. His practice includes various aspects of commercial litigation and commercial transactions. In particular, his civil litigation practice focuses on general business litigation, real estate, construction, and personal injury issues. Craig also advises clients with respect to real estate and development matters, construction law, and contract issues. He has significant experience at both trial and appellate levels and has also represented clients in arbitration and mediation proceedings.
Education:
University of Denver, J.D., 1998
University of Colorado at Boulder, B.A., English, 1993
Craig Adamson has practiced law for over five decades, and he still loves to get up each morning and go to work. Craig began his legal career in the 1960s, when it was still commonplace to work in many areas of law. He continues to apply his experience to a number of areas, and his broad expertise has been a great advantage to his clients and associates because it allows him to see the big picture when dealing with complex legal cases.
Craig has maintained a varied practice, which includes litigation, business, and personal planning. He enjoys solving nuanced legal problems, resolving difficult cases, and helping people and businesses mitigate issues. Craig brings a wealth of experience and is thus able to view cases with both an attention to detail and an understanding of the overall process and case objectives.
Education:
University of Utah, S.J. Quinney College of Law, J.D., 1965
Debra "Deb" Griffiths Handley joined Dart Adamson & Donovan in 2005. She is a thoughtful and detail-oriented advocate who uses pragmatism and sensitivity when advising her clients. Deb has spent the last 15+ years cultivating much of her practice on Community Association Law and strategizing with non-profit associations. She also has a wealth of knowledge with complex real property transactions, title disputes, debt collection, business formation, estate planning, probate, and will and trust administration.
Deb also has considerable commercial and civil litigation experience with an emphasis in medical malpractice. She has represented clients in the courts, at mediation, private arbitration and agency proceedings. Debra is committed to establishing strong, long-lasting relationships with clients in order to provide wise counsel on both big picture issues and day-to-day operations.
Education:
California Western School of Law, J.D., 1998
University of Utah, B.A., English; B.A. Sociology, 1992
Job Titles:
- PARTNER / Family Law and Domestic Relations, Mediation / Collaborative Practice
Holly J. Nelson has practiced family law exclusively and intentionally for her entire career and is committed to using law to meaningfully impact the lives of her clients and their families. She focuses her practice on all areas of family law, including resolving issues of child custody, parent-time and related issues including adoptions, child and spousal support, property division, including valuation and division of complex martial estates, relationship agreements and post-divorce matters. Holly is also trained as a Private Guardian Ad Litem, focusing on issues related to aiding children in high conflict matters.
The issues Holly's clients face are often related to the most significant and foundational matters in their lives. Holly passionately pursues these matters with an emphasis on the goals of each individual client and helping them proceed with confidence and dignity. Holly's extensive experience and the resources available to her as part of the dedicated practice group of highly skilled family law attorneys allows her to approach each case with thorough attention so that her clients can make informed decisions about their cases. Holly handles matters in district and juvenile court and practices in both the Salt Lake and Park City offices of the firm. Highly experienced in litigation, mediation and collaborative law, she offers each client a range of options to solve the issues in their cases.
Education:
University of Utah, S.J. Quinney College of Law, J.D., 2009
Job Titles:
- PARTNER / Family Law and Domestic Relations, Mediation / Collaborative Practice
- Retired
John D. Sheaffer Jr. has practiced family law since 1979. He is deeply committed to helping his clients solve complex marital property and child custody issues arising through separation and divorce in an effective and compassionate manner, tailored to the specific needs of their case. John's extensive knowledge of family law, together with his broad experience as an advocate in court as well as in mediation and collaborative settings, provides a firm foundation for dispute resolution when relationships are in transition.
John is an active member of Utah's legal community, which has recognized him for his contributions; he regularly plans and presents legal education programs for the Family Law Section of the Utah State Bar Association, and is a visiting classroom instructor at the S.J.Quinney College of Law at the University of Utah. John is a vice-chancellor of the Episcopal Diocese of Utah, a member of the Association of Collaborative Professionals of Utah (ACP) and is also a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML), a national organization of preeminent family law attorneys.
Education:
Gonzaga University School of Law, J.D., M.B.A., 1979
Jonathan ‘Jay' Gold has been at Dart Adamson & Donovan since October of 2015. His practice focuses specifically on general civil litigation, including business, real estate, construction, and personal injury issues. Jay is a dedicated litigator who approaches each unique case with compassion and empathy. He is a skilled researcher, writer, and logical problem solver, and brings this fine-tuned skillset to every client he represents.
During law school, he interned for Judge Scott Matheson at the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals and for Judge Denise Lindberg at the Third District Court in Salt Lake City. Jay is a Park City native and, in his free time, enjoys playing and watching basketball, playing soccer, hiking, and other outdoor activities.
Education:
University of Utah, S.J. Quinney College of Law, 2014
Job Titles:
- PARTNER / Family Law and Domestic Relations, Mediation / Collaborative Practice
Sharon A. Donovan has practiced law for over 40 years, primarily in the areas of family law, alternative dispute resolution and litigation. Sharon is recognized as a leader in the family law community in Utah. She has extensive experience with large marital estates and all aspects of family law practice. Sharon is a strong advocate who uses experience and common sense to resolve problems.
Sharon has seen the benefits of the collaborative process in reducing the emotional and financial cost of divorce and empowering individuals in resolving their disputes out of court. She focuses her practice on mediation and collaboration to resolve family law disputes. However, Sharon has extensive experience litigating, as well, if needed. Sharon has a personal and organized skill set to assist clients in obtaining a favorable result, preferably in a more collaborative setting, creating amicable and cost- effective solutions.
Sharon is also a member of many prestigious legal associations: The Utah Chapter and Mountain States Chapter of the AAML, American College of Trial Lawyers, Utah State Bar and has served as a lecturer and panelist in a number of Continuing Legal Education seminars.
Education:
University of Utah, S.J. Quinney College of Law, J.D., 1979
University of Utah, B.A., Political Science, 1976
Job Titles:
- Founding Board Member and Editor
Job Titles:
- Ethics and Discipline Screening Panel Member, 2015 - Present