EPPERSON & OWENS - Key Persons
DAVID C. EPPERSON is a partner at Epperson & Owens whose practice is focused on medical malpractice defense, insurance defense, and aviation law. David has litigated a wide variety of medical malpractice cases representing physicians, nurses, dentists, and numerous healthcare facilities. As an experienced commercial aviator and pilot since 1995, David is wellversed in aviation law and has defended complex aviation crash cases. David is admitted to practice law in Utah and Montana. He graduated from the University of Utah with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration, and thereafter completed law school at the University of Montana School of Law. David is a member of the Salt Lake County Bar Association, the Utah and Montana State Bar Associations, Lawyer-Pilots Bar Association, Defense Research Institute, and the Utah Defense Lawyers Association.
Job Titles:
- Attorney
- President
- Senior Partner
DAVID H. EPPERSON has served as President and Senior Partner of the firm since 1986 and has more than 30 years of experience as a trial lawyer in Medical Malpractice defense, health care law, and product liability defense. His employment with the historic firm founded by his great grandfather has spanned the era of the malpractice insurance crisis of 1976 and resultant tort reform to the present. His trial practice and appellate cases have significantly defined health care law in Utah.
J. Kevin Murphy "of counsel," brings added skills to the firm as a diligent researcher, legal analyst and appellate advocate. He supports and appears with Epperson & Owens attorneys, as needed, on various civil litigation matters undertaken by the firm. He also maintains a separate, independent practice, with focus on appellate work and criminal defense.
Scott H. Epperson began working for the firm in the fall of 2008 as an undergraduate student. Scott started out as a runner, advanced to a clerk, and recently joined the firm as an associate following his admission to the Utah State Bar in October of 2013. He obtained his Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Utah, and thereafter completed his Juris Doctor Degree at the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law, located in Sacramento, California. During his time at McGeorge, Scott excelled in trial advocacy and insurance law classes. Scott is admitted to practice before all Utah State Courts and the U.S. District Court of Utah.
When Scott is not at the law office, he enjoys rock climbing, telemark skiing, mountain biking, and family time with his wife. Scott is widely recognized as an expert in rock climbing, having competed and won many climbing competitions over the years in Utah and California.
STEPHEN W. OWENS was President (2009-10) of the Utah State Bar. Steve clerked for Justice Richard Howe of the Utah Supreme Court and has spent 20 years defending clients (including healthcare providers) in civil and licensing actions in Utah state and federal courts. He has earned an "AV Preeminent" (highest) rating by Martindale-Hubbell. He is named a "Legal Elite" in Healthcare Law by Utah Business Magazine (2007-present). Steve has successfully defended numerous jury trials, obtaining four successful verdicts in one year alone. For six years, he served as an elected Commissioner for the Utah State Bar. Steve was awarded the national Harry S. Truman Scholarship for his leadership and public service. He is a member of Phi Beta Kappa and was a William H. Leary scholar at the University of Utah Law School. He is a member of the Utah Defense Lawyers' Association. He speaks French. He has been married for over 24 years and has two daughters.
Steve has widely lectured to medical malpractice attorneys, Utah State employees, paralegals, and school children on various aspects of the law. In addition to his general caseload, Steve routinely takes pro bono cases for those who cannot afford legal help and volunteers in a variety of worthwhile religious, political, and community programs.