About James
James R — Tanner is an attorney based in Tooele, Utah, specializing in employment law. He has been practicing law since 1974, focusing on representing employees in various employment-related matters. His firm, Tanner Law Office PLLC, is located at 250 South Main Street, Tooele, Utah 84074. In addition to employment law, the firm offers services in family law, criminal defense, and general practice. This diverse range of services allows Mr. Tanner to address many legal issues faced by his clients. Mr. Tanner earned his Juris Doctorate from Washburn University School of Law in 1974.
Prior to his legal education, he obtained a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Kansas State University in 1970. He furthered his studies with a Master’s Degree in Family and Human Development from Utah State University in 1984. This educational background gave him a unique understanding of the psychological and social factors that can impact legal matters, particularly in employment and family law. After completing law school, Mr. Tanner served as a Captain in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General's (JAG) Corps from 1974 to 1977. His military service provided him with experience in legal representation and advocacy. Following his time in the JAG Corps, he worked as a civilian counsel at the Tooele Army Depot from 1983 until 1998, where he served as a Labor Counselor.
In this role, he reviewed numerous adverse personnel actions, including suspensions and removals. Represented his federal client before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) administrative judges, as well as various arbitrators. In 1998, Mr. Tanner established his private practice, focusing primarily on employment law matters such as discharge, suspensions, and other disciplinary proceedings. He has represented clients in performance-based actions and adverse security clearance determinations. Additionally, he has handled discrimination claims before the Utah Labor Commission and assisted clients with responses to employer Pre-Determination notices. His experience in these areas has made him a advocate for employees facing challenging workplace issues. Beyond his practice, Mr.
Tanner has served as a mediator on the Third District Court’s mediation panel. He has also taught employment law to undergraduate students and dispute resolution systems to MBA graduate students for the University of Phoenix. His leadership roles include twice serving as President of the Utah Employment Lawyers Association (UELA), a state affiliate of the National Employment Lawyers Association (NELA). Currently, he serves as an Administrative Hearing Officer for both Tooele City and Tooele County. For more information or to schedule a consultation, contact Tanner Law Office PLLC at (435) 833-9524 or visit their website.
