When discussing the ideals of legal service, it is easy to think of skillful advocacy, deep legal knowledge, and the pursuit of justice. What is often overlooked is the profound community-minded spirit that animates so many in the profession. No one exemplifies that blend of public service, passion for civic education, and devotion to the law more than Michelle M. Oldroyd, this year’s recipient of the prestigious Spirit of Quinney Award from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law.

“Michelle Oldroyd truly deserves the Spirit of Quinney Award for her unwavering dedication and exceptional contributions to the legal profession and our wider community. As a colleague, she exemplifies the values of collaboration, kindness, and integrity. Michelle consistently goes above and beyond to support her team, always willing to lend a helping hand and offer thoughtful insights,” said Lydia Kane, assistant CLE director. 

“Her positive attitude and enthusiasm create a welcoming environment where everyone feels valued and heard, enabling ideas to flourish. Michelle’s ability to balance professionalism with warmth makes her an outstanding colleague, and her impact is felt throughout the entire legal community. This recognition is a testament to the positive influence she has on those around her,” Kane added.

A Lifetime Rooted in Service

Michelle’s journey began just outside of Washington, D.C., where she was born into a family of federal government employees. Her father’s career with the FBI eventually brought them to Utah, the place she now proudly calls home. Growing up, Michelle always sensed the importance of public service. Whether it was her father’s time as a federal agent or her mother’s dedication to special needs education, Michelle witnessed firsthand how individuals could combine professional life with deep community engagement.

That early sense of duty informs her outlook today. She speaks fondly of “rowing the boat” with others—of doing her share to keep neighborhoods and society running smoothly. For Michelle, this is not just an abstract principle; it is the bedrock of her personal and professional life.

Discovering a Passion for Law

Michelle admits she has always been a “civics nerd.” Even as a child, she was captivated by stories of lawyers who paired their work in the courtroom with passions outside of it—like running a restaurant or owning an antique bookstore. She realized law could be a powerful credential, unlocking numerous ways to serve the public interest.

“I define myself very plainly as a lawyer,” Michelle explains. “I take such pride in that term as part of who I am, and I love doing it.” In law school, she found a natural alignment: a profession that encourages rigorous intellectual work, a dedication to due process, and the chance to help individuals during life’s most difficult moments.

Professional Highlights

Michelle’s résumé reflects this broad commitment to service:

• She is Director of Professional Education at the Utah State Bar, where she designs and hosts professional development courses on ethics, civility, and inclusion. She also serves as Outreach and External Relations Director, forming partnerships with higher education and community institutions.

• • Previously, Michelle served as Director of the Utah Commission on Civic and Character Education in the Office of the Lieutenant Governor. She has also worked as a Staff Attorney for the United States District Court for the District of Utah, mediating complex litigation matters and managing press relations during high-profile trials.

• • Over the years, she has been recognized for her excellence, earning accolades such as UCCR Peacekeeper, the Scott M. Matheson Award from the Utah State Bar, recognition among Utah’s Legal Elite, and being named one of the Elite Women Professionals in the United States.

In each of these roles, she has embodied the ideal of merging lawyering skills with a genuine commitment to civic engagement.

“Michelle’s work exemplifies the highest ideals of our profession,” said Bar Executive Director Elizabeth Wright. “Her dedication to public service, her passion for teaching, and her willingness to mentor new attorneys make her a worthy recipient of this important award.”

The Spirit of Quinney Award

The Spirit of Quinney Award honors individuals who epitomize not just professional success, but also a wholehearted dedication to community well-being. Joseph “Joe” Quinney, for whom the award and law school are named, was known for his exemplary service in both the legal field and the wider community. Michelle resonates with his legacy, saying it is “monumental when you think about who this person was and what he meant to the community—both as an advocate and a public servant.”

When Michelle learned she would be recognized in the same sentence as Quinney, she found it both humbling and deeply affirming. “I feel very humbled by the idea that I’m being singled out,” she shares, noting that so many of her colleagues are just as deserving. For her, it is also a moment to celebrate her parents, husband, children, and all those who inspire her every day to serve “with a deep sense of civic duty.”

She added, “To have my name mentioned in the same sentence as Joe Quinney, regarding the quality and rigor of my lawyering, is a deep honor, by which I am very humbled. I have such gratitude for what SJQ has provided for me – not just a platform for my career, but tremendous relationships, treasured colleagues to learn from, and opportunities to give back to our legal community; so I am grateful to my alma mater for recognizing my work and my contribution.”

“I truly love being a lawyer; it is one of the primary ways that I define myself, in addition to being a wife, mother, friend,” Oldroyd said. “I find our work filled with passion, skill, joy, and a multitude of people whose paths cross mine; lawyering is so valuable for our society, our governance, and our ability to hear and see one another with dignity. I cannot imagine work that I would find more connection to or more enthusiasm for than lawyering.”

A Joyful Approach to the Law

If there is one theme that runs through Michelle’s story, it is her unwavering sense of joy in practicing law. She calls it “a credential to do all the things you dream about doing,” allowing her to connect with community members, teach about justice, and help people navigate moments of deep conflict or need. Whether leading CLE programs, mentoring future attorneys, or simply greeting people with kindness in her neighborhood, Michelle is motivated by the knowledge that law can be a powerful tool for building bridges and uplifting others.

She enthusiastically encourages new lawyers to explore the breadth of what a J.D. can offer: “We need a profession that’s as wide-ranging, effective, artistic, and scientific as we can craft,” she says. “Everyone who wants to be a problem-solver and help move people out of ‘stuckness’ should consider law school. We need all of you.”

Looking Ahead

Receiving the Spirit of Quinney Award will undoubtedly be a celebratory moment for Michelle and the many people she has guided, mentored, and befriended over the years. Yet in true Michelle style, she will see it as a call to even deeper engagement—an invitation to carry on the legacy of Quinney by continually finding ways to do good. It is also a reminder, as she notes, to show grace to others and be grateful for the grace they show us.

For Michelle, the law is not merely a profession. It is a space where personal passions for fairness, justice, and compassion flourish—and help shape the future of her community. That is the spirit of her work, and precisely why she is such a fitting recipient of this prestigious award.

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Congratulations to Michelle on this remarkable honor! Her work exemplifies the very essence of what it means to serve as a lawyer: blending intellect, empathy, and public service to strengthen the institutions and individuals around us.

This blog was written with the assistance of AI from the transcript of the video below.