Michael Zimmerman (jurist)
Michael Zimmerman | |
---|---|
![]() Zimmerman in 2006 | |
Chief Justice of the Utah Supreme Court | |
In office 1994–1998 | |
Appointed by | Scott M. Matheson |
Preceded by | Gordon R. Hall |
Succeeded by | Richard C. Howe |
Personal details | |
Born | Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | October 21, 1943
Education | University of Utah |
Michael David Zimmerman (born October 21, 1943)[1] is an American lawyer who served as the chief justice of the Utah Supreme Court. He is also a Zen Buddhist teacher and received shiho from his teacher, Dennis Genpo Merzel, in December 2006.
Later, through his work in the courts, he met Diane and began sitting zazen at Kanzeon Zen Center with Merzel under Hamilton's suggestion. The two were married by Merzel in 1998. Zimmerman is currently a practicing attorney and partner at Zimmerman, Jones, and Booher in Salt Lake City. From 1984 to 2000 he served as a Justice for the Utah Supreme Court, and from 1994 to 1998 he acted as Chief Justice.[2][3]
Biography
[edit]Michael Zimmerman was born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1943. He attended university at the University of Utah, entering its law school and graduating first in his class. He was also awarded order of the coif for his academic achievement. Following graduation, Zimmerman moved to Washington, D.C. and worked as a judicial clerk for Warren E. Burger, then the acting Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court. He then moved to Los Angeles, working as a lawyer for O’Melveny & Myers there. Zimmerman moved back to Utah to practice law for a short period, also serving as a special counsel to Utah Governor Scott Milne Matheson part time. At the time of Zimmerman's joining in the Utah Supreme Court majority upholding prayers at government meetings as long as there was no religious restriction on who could give the prayer, Zimmerman was still an Episcopalian.[4]
Zimmerman began a meditation practice in 1993 while his first wife, Lynne Mariani Zimmerman, was suffering a terminal illness. She died the next year, in January 1994, after a year-long struggle with cancer.[5] Zimmerman continued to serve as Chief Justice of the Utah Supreme Court during this time, while also raising their three daughters on his own. In 1996, at the suggestion of Diane Hamilton, he began sitting zazen at Kanzeon Zen Center.[6] In 1998 he received jukai and was given the Buddhist name of Mugaku ("no learning").[4] Later that year, he was married by his teacher, Dennis Genpo Merzel, to Diane Musho Hamilton. In December 2006 he received Dharma transmission from Dennis Genpo Merzel, giving him authority to teach Zen to others.[4]
Awards
[edit]- 1988: Utah State Bar Appellate Judge of the Year
- 1994: Excellence in Ethics Award (Utah Valley State College)
- 1998: Distinguished Service Award from the Utah State Bar
- 2001: Honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of Utah
See also
[edit]- Zazen
- Dennis Genpo Merzel
- Kanzeon Zen Center
- Buddhism in the United States
- Timeline of Zen Buddhism in the United States
- List of law clerks of the Supreme Court of the United States (Chief Justice)
References
[edit]- ^ Who's Who in American Law 1992-1993. Marquis Who's Who. 1991. p. 975.
- ^ Zimmerman's bio at Snell & Wilmer
- ^ Zimmerman's bio at Zimmerman, Jones, and Booher Archived 2013-12-08 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ a b c Jarvik, Elaine (December 16, 2006). "Utah justice now Zen teacher". Deseret News.
- ^ "DEATH: LYNNE MARIANI ZIMMERMAN". Deseret News. January 31, 1994.
- ^ Jarvik, Elaine (April 24, 2004). "Sitting judge: Retired Utah chief justice finds his way as a Buddhist monk". Deseret News.
- 1943 births
- Living people
- University of Utah alumni
- Justices of the Utah Supreme Court
- White Plum Asanga
- Converts to Buddhism from Anglicanism
- American former Protestants
- Former Anglicans
- Zen Buddhist spiritual teachers
- American Zen Buddhists
- Law clerks of the Supreme Court of the United States
- People associated with O'Melveny & Myers
- Chief justices of the Utah Supreme Court
- S.J. Quinney College of Law alumni