• People / Hon. Michael K. Davis

Hon. Michael K. Davis

Phone: (307) 634-7723

Fax: (307) 634-0985

The Honorable Michael K. Davis was appointed to the Wyoming Supreme Court by Governor Matt Mead, serving as Justice from October 2012 to January 2022, and Chief Justice from July 2018 to June 2021.

Between 2012 and his retirement in 2022, Justice Davis authored approximately 220 majority opinions for the Court and a number of special concurrences/dissents. He also received the Justice Lehman Award for Judicial Excellence in 2021.

Ahead of his legal career, Justice Davis served in the United States Army from 1973 to 1975. He then earned a B.A. summa cum laude from Western State College of Colorado (1977), and a Juris Doctorate with Honor from the University of Wyoming College of Law (1980).

From 1980 to 2008, he practiced law with the firm of Yonkee and Toner in both Sheridan and Cheyenne. He then served as District Judge, Wyoming First Judicial District (Laramie County), from 2008 until his appointment to the Wyoming Supreme Court in 2012.

Education

Juris Doctor (With Honor), Class Rank 1 of 62, University of Wyoming College of Law, Laramie, Wyoming, 1980
Bachelor of Arts (Summa Cum Laude), Western State College of Colorado (now Western State Colorado University), 1977

Legal Employment

Justice, Wyoming Supreme Court – October 15, 2012, to January 15, 2022
Chief Justice – July 1, 2018, to June 30, 2021
District Judge, Wyoming First Judicial District (Laramie County) – April 1, 2008, to October 14, 2012
Partner and Associate, Yonkee and Toner (name at separation) – September 15, 1980, to March 31, 2008
Intern and paralegal, United States Attorney’s Office, Cheyenne, WY – 1978 to 1979

Honors and Organizations

Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers, 2005 to present (currently Emeritus
Fellow)
Member, American Board of Trial Advocates, 2011 to present
Member, American Law Institute, 2024 to present
Honorary Member, Order of the Coif, 2025
Member, Conference of Chief Justices, 2018 to 2021
Member, Wyoming Board of Professional Responsibility, 1996 to 2002 (Chair
2001-2002).
- Disciplinary Judge, 2004-2005
- Member of Peer Review Committee, 2007-2008
- Special Bar Counsel, 2003
Member, Wyoming State Bar Client Security Fund, 1987 to 1989
Member, Wyoming State Bar Medical-Legal Relations Committee, 1990 to 1992
Member, Wyoming Civil Pattern Jury Instructions Committee, 2002 to 2008
American College of Trial Lawyers Federal Rules of Evidence Committee, 2005 to 2010
Wyoming College of Law Summer Trial Institute judge/instructor, 2011 to present

Publications & Articles

(Other than Supreme Court Opinions)
Comment, Landowner Liability Under the Wyoming Recreational Use Statute, XV Land and Water Law Review 649 (1980)
Case Note, The Doctrine of Recent Possession and Problems Associated with Defendant’s Testimony, Russell v. State, 583 P.2d 690 (Wyo. 1978)
Wyoming Section, The Restatement Sections Specifically Applicable to Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Cases in State Court: A 50-State Survey, Cooner et al., (ABA Section of Litigation 2004)

Military Service

United States Army, 1973 to 1975; rank at discharge SP5 (E5)

RELATED UPDATES

Read All