About Matthew R.
Matthew R. Howell graduated from Columbia Law School in 1993. He completed his legal education in New York, earning a J.D. before returning west to build a practice rooted in litigation and appellate work. The early choice of a national law school set the stage for a career that spans state and federal courts.
He is admitted to the bar in Utah and also holds admission to practice in the Tenth Circuit. Those credentials have allowed him to handle matters at both trial and appellate levels. Over the years he has worked on cases that require an understanding of state procedure and federal appellate standards. Colleagues describe him as methodical in court and concise in written advocacy.
Howell moved into private practice after law school and settled into roles that drew on courtroom work. He has experience drafting briefs, managing discovery, and preparing witnesses for trial. In the appellate context he has prepared appellate records, filed briefs, and participated in oral argument preparation. His background reflects steady litigation practice rather than public-facing academic or judicial posts.
Clients and opposing counsel have noted that Howell approaches disputes with clear priorities: identify the central legal question, marshal the record, and present the issues in a way judges can quickly grasp. That approach shows in appellate filings where clarity and brevity matter. He is comfortable in written advocacy and in the mechanics of appellate procedure, tasks that are essential to appellate review in the Tenth Circuit.
Throughout his career he has remained based in Utah. That has given him familiarity with the state's court system, its local rules, and the practical rhythms of litigation in the Mountain West. He combines that local perspective with training from an Ivy League law school, a mix that informs how he frames legal arguments and manages cases for clients.
Howell currently practices at Fillmore Spencer. He represents clients in Utah state court matters and handles appeals in the Tenth Circuit, advising on procedural strategy and appellate briefing.
