Former Justice Court Judge &
Family Law Trial Attorney

Carolyn E Howard

Insightful. Dedicated.
Carolyn E. Howard, Attorney at Law

Carolyn attended BYU and graduated with her Bachelor of Science in English in 2000. She attended BYU Law School thereafter and graduated in 2004. She performed on the BYU Ballroom Dance Team dancing with the team and secured the title of first place in the World with the Latin team division in 2000 and 2004 in Blackpool, England. Carolyn was also awarded Miss Provo 2000. She is the daughter of former Fourth District Court Judge Fred D. Howard and her grandfather was a prominent plaintiff’s medical malpractice attorney, Jackson B. Howard for more than fifty years. She worked as a law clerk at the age of 14 for her grandfather Jackson’s law firm of Howard, Lewis and Petersen where her father was a partner prior to taking the bench in the Fourth Judicial District Court in Provo, Utah.  

From 2013 to 2019, Carolyn served as a Justice Court Judge in Utah, presiding over thousands of infraction and misdemeanor criminal cases, as well as serving as a Small Claims Judge, presiding over civil small claims cases. In her role as a Justice Court Judge, she presided over arraignments, pre-trial conferences, motion hearings, entry of plea hearings, jury and bench trials, sentencing hearings, orders to show cause, and other criminal proceedings. In that role, Carolyn gained a valuable perspective—developing a deep understanding of how each party in the courtroom—the prosecution, the defense, and the judge—analyzes and approaches a criminal case. She also served as a Small Claims Judge for which she developed substantial experience in civil procedure, rules of which apply to family law matters, such as the preponderance of the evidence standard, submission of exhibits, evidentiary standards, motion practice and civil trials. 

After graduating from law school in 2004, Carolyn completed a one-year clerkship with the Federal Public Defender’s Office in Salt Lake City. During that time, she assisted in representing clients under the Third-Year Practice Rule, gaining hands-on experience in federal court. She also began teaching at Utah Valley University in 2005 while enrolled in law school and has taught at the University for twenty years, teaching business law, as well as having taught courses in family law and mediation. She also served as the Paralegal Director for a year in the Legal Studies Department, overseeing the family law and divorce courses, teaching paralegal students working in local law firms. Carolyn currently runs and operates her own PC, entitled Carolyn E. Howard, PC.

Carolyn is also a trained mediator—a skill she began developing during law school and has continued to refine throughout her legal career. She has mediated family law cases and uses her persuasive skills as a divorce trial attorney in court. She began practicing family law in 2007 and has continued to represent clients since that time, having practiced as a family law attorney for four family law firms in Utah over the years and developing her own PC in approximately 2012, to which she has filed dozens of divorce cases, modifications to divorce, represented clients in protective order filings, motions to enforce decree, guardianship matters, and grandparent rights cases, while having appeared in front of Utah’s Court Commissioners overseeing family law cases and having performed bench trials before many of the District Court judges throughout the State of Utah.

Carolyn practiced family law while her father, Fred D. Howard, served as a Fourth Judicial District Court Judge in Provo, Utah, and has owned her family law PC for over a decade, acting as a sole practitioner. She has two sisters, one who is a prosecutor for Utah County District Attorney’s Office and another sister who practices as a family law attorney. Carolyn has experience handling bench trials on a sole basis but will sometimes join with co-counsel, if appropriate for more complicated cases. 

Her grandfather, Jackson B. Howard, practiced as a Plaintiff’s Medical Malpractice Attorney for about 50 years in Utah County having developed Howard, Lewis and Petersen, in Provo, Utah where her father, Fred D. Howard, was a partner prior to taking the bench. 

Today, Carolyn practices in family law, representing individuals undergoing divorces, post- divorce matters, enforcement of divorces, guardianship cases, and protective orders in both filing protective orders and defending against protective orders. She has represented dozens of individuals served with protective orders and been successful in obtaining many dismissals by Court Commissioners in Utah.  She is also willing to travel throughout the State of Utah to represent her clients and accommodate the needs of her family law clients.

That said, many of Carolyn’s family law clients benefit not only from her legal knowledge, trustworthiness, and sense of humor, but also from the experience and insight she brings as both a former justice court judge and trial attorney.

Carolyn is personable, allowing clients to contact her directly on her cell phone (801-420-2072) by text or phone call, because she believes that direct communication fosters a team-oriented approach to litigation.

If interested in retaining Carolyn for your family law case, you may reach out to her directly for which she offers a free consultation or you may email her at [email protected]. 

Legal Community Involvement and Teaching

Outside the courtroom, Carolyn is an active contributor to the legal community. She has authored one article and co-authored multiple articles for the Utah Bar Journal, covering topics such as judicial disqualification, child witnesses, and perspectives from the bench.

Carolyn is an Associate Professor at Utah Valley University, having taught at UVU since 2005. She currently teaches business law and organizational ethics, with courses focusing on civil law principles, including the preponderance of the evidence standard—the standard that governs family law bench trials—and practical applications for ethical decision-making in business and organizational contexts. She has also taught family law courses covering divorce litigation, temporary orders, appeals, and writs of certiorari, providing students and pre-law applicants with insight into complex procedural and substantive issues in family law. Carolyn has taught and mentored dozens of pre-law and paralegal students and is recognized for her practical, engaging teaching style, including being a notable professor on RateMyProfessor.com.

Family and Legal Legacy

Carolyn comes from a family deeply rooted in the legal profession and committed to public service. Her grandfather, Jackson B. Howard, was a prominent plaintiff’s medical malpractice attorney who practiced in Utah County for more than fifty years. Her father, Fred D. Howard, served as a Fourth District Court Judge after nearly two decades in private practice. Carolyn’s mother is a family law mediator who has worked throughout Utah, helping families resolve disputes outside of court.

From a young age, Carolyn worked as a law clerk for both her grandfather and her father while they practiced together at the firm of Howard, Lewis & Petersen in Utah County. These early experiences provided a strong foundation in legal reasoning and instilled a deep respect for professionalism, ethical advocacy, and the responsibility attorneys owe to their clients and communities.

Carolyn is also the second oldest of nine daughters. Two of her sisters are licensed attorneys—one practicing family law and another serving as a prosecutor in Utah County—further reflecting a longstanding family commitment to public service and the legal profession in Utah.

Other Interesting Facts About Carolyn

Arts & Performance

• Accomplished Dancer: Carolyn trained in ballet and Latin ballroom from a young age. She danced on the BYU Ballroom Dance Team, placing 1st in the World in the Latin division in 2000 while pursuing her bachelor’s in English at BYU, and again 1st in 2004 during her third year of law school in Blackpool, England.
• Pro-Am Latin Champion: In 2016, Carolyn placed 1st in the World in her age division in Los Angeles in the Pro-Am Latin division, competing with partner and trainer Sasha Altukhov from Ukraine in the five-dance Latin disciplines: cha cha, samba, rumba, paso doble, and jive.
• Beauty Pageants & Music: Carolyn earned the title of Miss Provo 2000 and is an accomplished vocalist and pianist, contributing to her pageant performances.

Academic & Teaching

• Carolyn currently serves as an Associate Professor at Utah Valley University teaching since 2005, teaching business law and organizational ethics. Her courses focus on civil law principles, including the preponderance of the evidence standard that governs family law bench trials, and practical applications for ethical decision-making in business and organizational contexts.
• She has also taught family law courses covering divorce litigation, temporary orders, appeals, and writs of certiorari, giving students insight into complex procedural and substantive issues.
• Over her 20-year teaching career, Carolyn has taught and mentored over 4,000 pre-law and paralegal students and is recognized for her practical, engaging teaching style, including being a notable professor on RateMyProfessor.com.

Legal & Professional Background

• Family Legacy: Carolyn comes from a legal family. Her grandfather, Jackson B. Howard, was recognized as one of the top 100 attorneys in the United States and practiced medical malpractice law in Utah County for nearly 50 years. Her father, Fred D. Howard, served as a Fourth District Court Judge, and her mother is a family law mediator who has helped families resolve disputes across Utah.
• Justice Court Judge: Carolyn served as a Justice Court Judge from 2013–2019, presiding over thousands of hearings, including arraignments, plea hearings, pre-trial conferences, jury and bench trials, and issuing warrants in rotating Justice Court duties.
• Trial & Mediation Experience: Carolyn is a trained mediator, earning her mediator’s license in law school, and has mediated divorce and juvenile cases. As an attorney, she has handled bench and jury trials, including numerous divorce-related bench trials, and litigated dozens of hearings before Commissioners and District Court Judges in Utah.
• Professional Skills: Known for being organized, persuasive, and a skilled negotiator, Carolyn advocates effectively for her clients while maintaining respect for opposing parties, attorneys, and judges.

Personal Life & Interests

• Carolyn is the second eldest of nine sisters, affectionately called “The 9 Angels.” Two sisters are licensed attorneys—one practicing family law and divorce, and another serving as a prosecutor in Utah County.
• She enjoys running, dancing (sometimes practicing steps on her front porch), and staying active. She also enjoys movies, history, and continued learning, having completed half of a Master’s Degree in History at Arizona State University.
• Carolyn is highly accessible to her clients, often waking early or staying late to accommodate needs, keeping her cell phone nearby at all times. She is single and has an adult son, Matthew.

Carolyn’s Attributes That Apply to Your Case

Humility: Why Humility Matters

• Many people assume an aggressive lawyer is the key to winning a divorce or custody case. In reality, judges often value humility, professionalism, and respect over hostility or showmanship.
• Carolyn believes in being a steady advocate for her clients. She treats clients, judges, opposing attorneys, and opposing parties with courtesy — because such qualities often earn stronger results in the long run. Aggressive behavior may seem appealing at first, but it can backfire in court or make settlement more challenging with your spouse.
• Think about it: will your spouse be more likely to settle if your attorney is respectful, or combative? Carolyn’s approach is firm when needed, but always focused on what actually works — for you, your case, and bringing closure to your divorce or family law case.

A Listening Ear

• Divorce and major life changes are emotional and overwhelming, at times. Leaving a spouse you once loved and facing an uncertain future is concerning. Carolyn has experienced her own divorce and understands what you might be facing.
• She takes the time to listen, answer your questions, and offer support, while also focusing on legal strategy.
• To make communication simple, Carolyn provides her personal cell phone number (801-420-2072), ensuring clients can reach her when necessary — because for Carolyn, being heard truly matters.

Communication That Counts

• One of the most common complaints clients have about lawyers is poor communication. Some clients complain on lawyer websites that they met the lawyer for the initial consultation, and after that, updates were sparse or filtered through assistants. While this may be just the client’s perspective, Carolyn attempts to overcome that perspective about lack of communication between lawyer & client. 
• Carolyn values strong, consistent communication. She prefers in-person meetings whenever possible and takes the time to explain what is happening in your case. If you need an update, or have a question – feel free to text her anytime. 

Dedication

• It is rare for an attorney to share her personal cell phone, but Carolyn does so intentionally. This allows clients to share important facts about their case immediately, if necessary. That said – Carolyn also enjoys talking with her clients and considers them part of the team.

Effective Writing and Oral Advocacy

• Carolyn’s father, a former District Court Judge, tutored and edited her legal writing for over a decade. An English major, Carolyn focuses on persuasive advocacy in writing — just as much as oral advocacy.
• She is an effective oral advocate in court, practicing trial testimony with clients and memorizing case details meticulously. Carolyn ensures she presents well in court and submits detailed, thoughtful briefs for judges to review before hearings.

Negotiator

• Carolyn is a trained mediator, having studied under her BYU law school mediation professor and helped run a community mediation center in Provo, Utah. Her negotiation skills often help persuade opposing counsel and the court, working toward the best outcomes for her family law clients.

Sense of Humor

• Carolyn balances professionalism with warmth. She can be witty, sarcastic, and funny — laughing with clients when appropriate, helping to ease the stress of legal proceedings.

As a former Utah Justice Court Judge and experienced trial attorney, Carolyn understands how courts evaluate family law cases and how to position clients for the most advantageous possible outcome.