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 | October 21, 1943 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| 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.
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 awarded Order of the Coif membership for his academic achievement.[1]
Legal career
Following graduation, Zimmerman moved to Washington, D.C. and worked as a judicial clerk for Warren E. Burger, then the Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court. He then moved to Los Angeles, working as a lawyer for O’Melveny & Myers there.[1]
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.[2]
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]
Zen Buddhism
Zimmerman began his meditation practice in 1993, during the final year of his first wife Lynne Mariani Zimmerman’s life. She was battling cancer at the time and died in January 1994 after a year-long struggle with the illness.[3] Zimmerman continued to serve as Chief Justice of the Utah Supreme Court during this time, while also raising their three daughters on his own.[4]
In 1996, through his work in the courts, he met Diane Musho Hamilton and began sitting zazen at Kanzeon Zen Center.[5] 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 Merzel (Genpo Roshi), to Hamilton.
In December 2006 he received Dharma transmission from Merzel, giving him authority to teach Zen to others.[4]
Zimmerman and Hamilton went on to co-found Two Arrows Zen, a practice community with zendos in Salt Lake City and Torrey, Utah. Beginning with small retreats in Torrey in the early 2000s, the organization expanded to include a permanent zendo and programs in both locations. Two Arrows Zen offers regular meditation practice, sesshin, and study opportunities, and serves as a hub for Zen teaching in the region.[6]
Awards
- 1988: Utah State Bar Appellate Judge of the Year
- 1994: Excellence in Ethics Award (Utah Valley State College)[7]
- 1998: Distinguished Service Award from the Utah State Bar
- 2001: Honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of Utah[8]
References
- ^ a b c Who's Who in American Law 1992-1993. Marquis Who's Who. 1991. p. 975.
- ^ a b Zimmerman's bio at Zimmerman, Jones, and Booher Archived 2013-12-08 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Lynne Mariani Zimmerman". Deseret News. January 31, 1994. Archived from the original on November 29, 2014.
- ^ a b c Jarvik, Elaine (December 16, 2006). "Utah justice now Zen teacher". Deseret News. Archived from the original on October 10, 2012.
- ^ Jarvik, Elaine (April 24, 2004). "Sitting judge: Retired Utah chief justice finds his way as a Buddhist monk". Deseret News. Archived from the original on August 28, 2016.
- ^ "Our History". Two Arrows Zen. Two Arrows Zen. Retrieved 4 October 2025.
- ^ "Utah Justice Selected for Ethics Award". Deseret News. 1994-09-27. Retrieved 2024-10-23.
- ^ "Honorary Degree Recipients by Name (1892-2024) - University Leadership". administration.utah.edu. Retrieved 2024-10-23.