When real estate and construction projects fall into dispute, the administration of an estate becomes contentious, or business partnerships implode, commercial litigator Douglas Farr finds resolution for project owners, entrepreneurs, investors, and other commercial clients. He has prevailed for clients in bench trials and jury trials, including a recent week-long trial involving a business divorce between real estate investors. Additionally, Doug achieves favorable outcomes in arbitration, mediation, and other alternative dispute resolution forums. Doug chairs Buchalter’s Salt Lake City Litigation Practice Group.

Many of Doug’s clients have commercial concerns in real estate, property development, land use, construction, and direct sales / multilevel marketing (MLM). Valued as an insightful communicator and counselor and for his upfront investment in clients’ concerns in their matters, Doug believes the road to legal resolution usually need not be unnecessarily difficult, protracted, or earth scorching. But when Doug sees a case headed in that direction, he spots roadblocks early, navigates through them effectively, and mitigates risks to resolve the conflict.

Doug’s clients appreciate his emotional intelligence and collaborative approach throughout the litigation process, particularly in trust and estate disputes. He has represented multiple beneficiary groups in breach of trust cases involving assets valued from $10M-$100M.

Lawsuits and claims related to real estate investments, development projects, and construction are another area of practice depth.

In his defense of one developer, Doug obtained summary dismissal of a competitor’s $100 million claim involving allegations of civil conspiracy, conversion, and intentional interference with economic relations. Doug also leverages his land use and real estate network to assist contractors and developers in obtaining land entitlements throughout Utah.

Doug is a graduate of Brigham Young University and of its J. Reuben Clark Law School. He has earned recognition from Mountain States Super Lawyers for many years and recently served on the board of directors of The Sharing Place and of the Legal Aid Society of Salt Lake City. Doug has been named among Utah’s legal elite by Utah Business Magazine. In addition, Doug has been recognized in the Best Lawyers in America, Commercial Litigation, for 2024 & 2025.

 

  • Served as lead trial counsel in several bench trials, jury trials, and arbitrations, including a recent week-long trial involving two real estate investors in a partnership divorce.
  •  Obtained summary judgment in his defense of a real estate developer against $100+ million in claims asserted by a competitor alleging civil conspiracy, conversion, and intentional interference with economic relations.
  • Advised and counseled a renewable energy provider to obtain specific performance of the client’s contractual real property rights.
  • Represented multiple beneficiary groups in trust and estate cases involving assets valued between $10 million to $100 million.
  • Defended a professional corporation against a fraudulent transfer/conveyance claim in excess of $3 million.
  • Assisted contractors and developers in obtaining land entitlements through various municipalities across the state.

 

Mr. Farr earned his J.D. from J. Reuben Clark Law School at Brigham Young University where he was the Lead Note and Comment Editor of the BYU Law Review. He was also the Executive Editor of the BYU Journal of Public Law, and President of the Student Bar Association. He earned his B.A. in Anthropology from Brigham Young University.

  • Supreme Court of Utah
  • United States District Court, District of Utah
  • United States Court of Appeals, Third Circuit
  • United States Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
  • United States Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit
  • United States Supreme Court
  • Utah Minority Bar Association
  • American Bar Association
  • Federal Bar Association
  • Legal Aid Society of Salt Lake, Board of Directors (2018-2022)
  • The Sharing Place, Board of Directors (2016-2023)
  • March of Dimes, Utah Chapter, Board of Directors (2013-2016)
  • March for Babies, Utah Statewide Chair (2014)
  • Urban Indian Center of Salt Lake (formerly Indian Walk-In Center for Salt Lake City Native American Community), Board of Directors, Vice-Chair (2011-2012)