As a family law Attorney with first-hand experience in divorce, James P. McGarvey appreciates how divorce and custody cases may become an emotional roller-coaster that tests the strongest of us. James empathizes with his clients and works tirelessly to shield their rights through the divorce and custody process. James directs clients through life-altering and complicated family law matters. He keeps his clients well informed on all facets of their case and is devoted to returning client’s calls and emails personally and promptly. Call the Law Office of James P. McGarvey at (801) 784-8654 for a free consultation about your family law matters.
James P. McGarvey received his Bachelor of Science in Political Science and an Honor’s Program Certificate in Preparation for Legal Study from the University of Utah.  James then received his J.D. from Creighton University School of Law in Omaha, Nebraska.
Prior to attending law school, James worked at the Utah Army National Guard for over eight years, developing robust discipline that is so significant in family and criminal law practice. During law school, James co-founded the Family Law Student Society and served on its board for three years. James also represented Creighton Law at the ABA Law School Division, Regional Negotiation Competition, earned a litigation concentration, completed a criminal law and procedure concentration, and successfully completed the requirements placed forth by the Supreme Court of Nebraska to mediate. Subsequently to law school, James serves as a board member of Lawyers Helping Lawyers.
James is fortunate to have been mentored by multiple outstanding legal minds, including, but not limited to:
Stuart Dornan, former FBI Agent who is also the former District Attorney of Douglas County and is now a criminal defense attorney.
Greg J. O’Meara, S.J., former prosecutor, prosecuted Jeffry Dahmer, and subsequently worked as a criminal defense attorney.
David R. Stickman, the current Federal Defender for the District of Nebraska.
James is extremely fortunate to currently be mentored by the Honorable Judge Sharon McCully, former President of the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, served on the bench for over 27 years, and currently teaches at the University of Utah, S.J. Quinney School of Law.
Family Law Practitioner
As a family law Attorney with first-hand experience in divorce, James McGarvey appreciates how divorce and custody cases may become an emotional roller-coaster that tests the strongest of us. James empathizes with his clients and works tirelessly to shield their rights through the divorce and custody process.
Committed to directing clients through challenging family law matters, James’ professional history includes working at Legal Aid Society of Salt Lake. While there James assisted clients in family law matters regarding divorce, custody, parentage, visitation, support, property distribution, and successfully litigated a custody trial. James subsequently worked with clients’ family law issues at the Milton Abrahams Legal Clinic in Omaha, Nebraska where he guided clients through issues surrounding divorce, custody, wills, trusts, probate, protective orders, domestic violence, guardianship, parentage actions, name changes, visitation, support, property distribution, and appellate advocacy. Concurrently with the clinic, James researched family law for the former President of the Family Law portion of the Nebraska Bar, Kathleen M. Schmidt. Prior to founding the Law Office of James P. McGarvey, James worked as an associate family law attorney for Intermountain Legal, P.C. where he guided clients through divorce, custody, parent time, visitation, support, protective orders, property distribution, parentage, enforcement of decrees, order to show cause, settlement negotiation, and modification of decrees.
Admissions
​Utah
U.S. District Court of Utah
Education
J.D., Creighton University School of Law.
