"Clark has a spotless background and should be one of the least controversial nominations that there could be," said attorney Rob Clark, who works with Waddoups at Parr Waddoups Brown Gee & Loveless. "He does not have a political orientation. He should be a really satisfactory choice to anyone who wants to see excellent judges on the bench without regard to any type of political issues."

The White House announced late Tuesday that President Bush had nominated Waddoups to take the place of U.S. District Judge Paul Cassell, who stepped down in November to teach at the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. The nomination must still be approved by the U.S. Senate.

Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff said traditional labels of "conservative" or "liberal" don't apply to Waddoups, who he called "as qualified as they get."

"He goes above and beyond in everything he gets involved in," Shurtleff said.

Waddoups was out of town Tuesday and could not be reached for immediate comment.

The 62-year-old is an experienced trial attorney specializing in corporate and commercial litigation involving anti-trust, labor and employment, banking, construction, environmental and insurance claims.

An Idaho native, he earned a bachelor of arts in 1970 from Brigham Young University and a law degree in 1973 from the University of Utah. After clerking for Judge J. Clifford Wallace of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, he practiced with California law firm O'Melveny & Myers for seven years.

Since 1981, Waddoups has practiced law with the Salt Lake City firm that bears his name. He has represented clients in banking, finance, manufacturing, broadcasting, oil and real estate.

Waddoups has recently handled two high-profile cases. In 2006, he won a ruling from the Utah Supreme Court that upheld state lawmakers' right to phase out a public employee benefit. Last year, he lost arguments on behalf of private school voucher supporters that the high court should strike down a referendum petition that put the controversial issue to voters.

Waddoups has been married for 40 years to Vickie Lee Waddoups. They have five children and 16 grandchildren, with a 17th due this summer.

Vickie Waddoups said the two grew up in the same Idaho community and started dating in Clark Waddoups' senior year in high school. She said they enjoyed living in California but were thrilled when they had the opportunity to move back to Utah.

Clark said his friend has a long record of community service. He also said Waddoups is an excellent fisherman who enjoys the outdoors.

"We will miss him greatly here," he said.

Shurtleff said Waddoups is dedicated to serving the public, pointing out that Waddoups earns more as a lawyer in private practice than he will as a judge earning $165,200 a year.

"What a great pick," he said.

pmanson@sltrib.com

Age: 62

Education: Bachelor of arts in 1970 from Brigham Young University; law degree in 1973 from the University of Utah

Career: Trial attorney who has practiced at Parr Waddoups Brown Gee & Loveless since 1981, representing clients in finance, manufacturing, broadcasting, oil and real estate

Family: Married with five children and 16 grandchildren