FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Kim Horiuchi, communications director
Mobile: 801-414-0079
Office: 801-963-5400 ext. 3010
Email: khoriuchi@taylorsvilleut.gov

City of Taylorsville Extends its Deepest Condolences at the Passing

of Municipal Court Judge Michael Kwan

July 21, 2020 — City leaders are deeply saddened by the news of the death of Taylorsville

Municipal Judge Michael W. Kwan, who passed away at his home on Tuesday morning, July 21, with

his wife by his side. His family said he died of natural causes.

Judge Kwan and his family are long-time residents of Taylorsville and have been actively

involved in the community on many levels. Judge Kwan has presided over the Taylorsville Justice

Court for 22 years, since 1998.

“We will sincerely miss Judge Kwan and all that he brought to the court,” said Taylorsville

Mayor Kristie Overson. “He was organized and technically savvy. He was good-humored and good-

natured. He cared profoundly about our community and strived to make it better. But most importantly,

he prized justice. He was intensely focused on providing equal protection under the law for all who

entered his courtroom. He was compassionate and often extended a second chance for many. Above

all, his model was fairness and he eschewed bigotry and racism with every essence of his being.”
 In Taylorsville, Judge Kwan started one of the first DUI/Drug Courts in the nation in 1998. This

program received the Governor's Award for reducing drug and alcohol abuse and related crimes in 2008.

Judge Kwan received a law degree from Whittier College School of Law and was certified in Chinese

law by the East China University of Politics and Law in 1993. He served as pro tempore judge in Third

District Court from 1996 through 1998. He received the Utah Judicial Council’s Quality of Justice

Award in 2001.

Judge Kwan has taught judicial education courses across the country for the Utah Judicial

Institute, American Bar Association and National Drug Court Institute focusing on traffic, evidence,

Constitutional law, and criminal procedure and law.

“Judge Kwan was a beloved friend and mentor,” said Taylorsville City Attorney Tracy S.

Cowdell, whose law firm Cowdell & Woolley P.C. provides prosecution services for the city. “The

world feels a little more empty without him here. We have lost a fierce advocate who believed no one

was lost and anyone could change. I will miss him dearly.”

Public Defender Doug Stowell also offered his condolences on behalf of himself and his law

firm, Stowell, Crayk & Bown. “Judge Kwan was an honorable man with strong principles and ideas,”

Stowell said. “He made every effort to practice his profession in a manner which recognized and

respected the people whom he served. We are better for having him in our lives.”

The City of Taylorsville is working with the Utah Administrative Office of the Courts to ensure

that Judge Kwan’s replacement will be appointed as soon as possible. A substitute judge will fill in, in

the meantime, to ensure the seamless administration of court services.