Jay L. Springer

Jay L. Springer, JD

Attorney & Problem Solver

I am a problem solver at my core, with expertise in Utah land use law and local government. My work focuses on the transactional, advisory, and compliance facets of work for local governments, businesses, and individuals. I seek opportunities to support clients operating effectively and efficiently.

About

Background

I am the founder of Meridian Land Counsel, PLLC, where my clients are primarily developers or local government bodies including cities and towns, and special districts of all sorts (including public infrastructure districts (PIDs) and infrastructure financing districts (IFDs)).

I regularly advise government clients including districts and city councils and planning commissions on procedures and substantive requirements of Utah land use, reporting and compliance matters, and all manner of legal issues affecting cities and their citizens. I have presented at over 100 city council, special district board, and planning commission meetings, trained dozens of elected and appointed officials, and drafted dozens of local government codes.

For private clients, I have helped clients navigate land use approvals and appeals, negotiate contracts with cities, counties, utility providers, and contractors for their developments, and ensure compliance with their ongoing contractual obligations. I also regularly advise on internal structures for companies, including bylaws and operating agreements.

Right out of law school, I worked as the Director of Operations at Microbial Robotics, including: HR, vendor relations, contracts, acquisitions, and supply chain management. I facilitated, coordinated, and planned many of the core functions of the business operations, which further instilled a drive for efficiency and creative problem solving with the recognition that sometimes grit is the only way things get done.

Professional Experience

Career

Founder and Lead Counsel

Meridian Land Counsel, PLLC | 2025 - Present | Salt Lake City, UT
Founded a boutique law firm focused on land use, infrastructure financing (PIDs and IFDs), and local government compliance. Serving as General Counsel for multiple Utah special districts, PIDs, and IFDs, and providing land use and general counsel services to municipalities across the state.

Attorney

Smith Hartvigsen, PLLC | July 2018 - 2025 | Salt Lake City, UT
Provided specialized legal counsel on land use law, local government compliance, and transactional matters for developers, municipalities, and special districts throughout Utah.

Consultant, Advisor, and Editor

Self-Managed | May 2015 - Present
I emphasize retaining and bringing value to existing relationships with small companies, attorneys, and individuals. By always bringing high-quality analysis and strong work ethic to each project, I have acquired new contacts and consistently received repeat projects from existing clients. I take on legal work from solo practitioners and law firms, revise contracts and government filings for small businesses, and support authors who seek to publish in quality peer-reviewed journals.

Chief Editor and Founder

Prestige English Services | September 2017 - December 2021
Founded and managed an editing and writing company boosting careers through exceptional English writing and documents. Emphasized closing the gap between fluent and native English in written documents critical to career advancement.

Review Attorney

Xact Data Discovery | March 2016 - July 2017 | Salt Lake City, UT
Specializing in contract review for software companies, reviewed and reported on over 400 software and service contracts according to roughly 45 criteria in 11 categories. Developed aspects of project management and recommended reporting procedures.

Director of Operations & Director, Legal and Regulatory Affairs

Microbial Robotics LLC | January 2014 - May 2015 | Cincinnati, OH
Internal operations including human resources, information technology, financial planning, event planning, agreement negotiation and drafting with institutions and partners, company meeting coordination and leading. Later transitioned to regulatory strategy and framework for viral and bacterial synthetic biology projects.
Education

Academic Background

Juris Doctor (J.D.), Law

University of Michigan Law School | 2010 - 2013
Curriculum emphasized transactional and regulatory work, trade, natural resources, and business law, with international exposure and courses at the Ross Business School. Served as Executive Editor of the Michigan Journal of International Law. Active in Asia Law Society, International Law Society, and Asian Pacific Law Students Association.

B.A., Philosophy & Economics (Honors)

Westminster University | 2005 - 2009
In philosophy, explored the philosophical relationship between debtors and creditors and the morality of bankruptcy systems. On the economics side, analyzed the macroeconomic influences of governance factors on foreign direct investment in African nations.
Key Skills

Areas of Expertise

Land Use Law Transactional Law Local Government Contract Law Analytical Skills Public Infrastructure Districts (PIDs) Infrastructure Financing Districts (IFDs) Special Districts Municipal Law Compliance & Regulatory