Today Washington County Attorney Eric Clarke announced that on August 7, 2025, he is officially stepping down from his current role to accept a new position as General Counsel for the Utah Association of Counties.

Clarke previously announced his intended resignation and relocation to the Wasatch Front, where his wife, Kristen Clarke, has accepted an attorney position with the firm Kirton McConkie. Clarke expressed excitement for this next chapter and gratitude for his time in public service in Washington County.

Clarke was first appointed as Washington County Attorney in February 2020 and was subsequently elected twice to continue serving in the role. Prior to that, he worked in the County Attorney’s Office from 2011 to 2020, advising elected officials and departments on legal matters.

During his tenure as County Attorney, Clarke led several high-impact efforts including:

• Serving as lead attorney for the County’s Mohave Desert Tortoise Incidental Take Permit renewal and the Northern Corridor Road project, a critical infrastructure initiative;
• Providing steady leadership through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, offering legal counsel to the County Commission and Public Health Department, ensuring criminal prosecutions continued to be carried out during a time of great uncertainty; and•
• Taking an active role in mentorship and leadership development, with several members of the office advancing to prestigious roles:
  • Two attorneys appointed as judges,
  • One attorney named an Assistant United States Attorney,
  • One attorney promoted to Division Director for Higher Education at the Utah Attorney General’s Office, and
  • Three legal assistants accepted into law school.

In 2024, both Clarke and Chief Deputy County Attorney Ryan Shaum received state-level recognition: Clarke as County Attorney of the Year and Shaum as Prosecutor of the Year.

Clarke also played a prominent role in the prosecution of the Ruby Franke / Jodi Hildebrandt case, a national headline-grabbing matter. His efforts helped lead to changes in Utah law, establishing child torture as a defined crime with mandatory minimum sentencing.

Among his many contributions, Clarke:

• Created a legal intern program to combat the national shortage of prosecutors,
• Successfully encouraged every prosecutor in the office to conduct a trial in the past 12 months,
• Oversaw the mental health expansion of the Washington County Children’s Justice Center,
• Implemented a pay for performance system with updated pay scales, and
• Testified before a Congressional subcommittee in Washington, D.C. regarding public lands, a personal highlight he shared with his family.

The Washington County Republican Party Central Committee is scheduled to meet on August 7 to select three candidates for potential appointment. One of those individuals will be chosen by the Washington County Commission to serve as County Attorney through the 2026 election.

Eric Clarke’s service has left a lasting legacy in Washington County, defined by legal excellence, public service, and mentorship. We wish him, Kristen, and the entire Clarke family all the best in their next chapter.

Media Contact:
Courtney Brinkerhoff Sinagra
Deputy Washington County Attorney
Cell: (435) 256-1547 Office: (435) 301-7107
Email: courtney.sinagra@washco.utah.gov