Paul Van Dam | |
|---|---|
| 17th Attorney General of Utah | |
| In office 1989–1993 | |
| Governor | Norman Bangerter |
| Preceded by | Dan Wilkinson |
| Succeeded by | Jan Graham |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 15, 1937 Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Mary Dawn Bailey |
| Children | 5 |
| Alma mater | University of Utah |
| Occupation | lawyer |
R. Paul Van Dam (born October 15, 1937) is an American politician and attorney from the state of Utah. He attended East High School and graduated in 1955. Paul and his wife Mary Bailey are fifth-generation Utahns.[1] He served as Attorney General of Utah from 1989 to 1993, as a Democrat. He attended the University of Utah and is a former Salt Lake County district attorney.[2][3]
Under District Attorney Van Dam's leadership, Salt Lake County DA's office was the first jurisdiction to prosecute serial killer Ted Bundy,[4] subsequently getting a conviction.
Prior to his serving as DA, there were separate organizations for the county attorney and the district attorney. As DA, he oversaw a huge reorganization to combine the two.
In 1988, he ran for Utah Attorney General[5] believing the office was under-funded and too small for the job. He was able to get the legislature to increase the budget, which enabled him to hire qualified attorneys and update the computer system making case handling more expedient and effective. He was a Democrat AG working with a Republican legislature.
Cold fusion at the University of Utah was a huge issue early in his term as AG. The state had to do whatever they could to protect the university's rights and interests in the process of cold fusion. Cold fusion ended up being a losing issue for the university but required a major effort by the AG's office.
An antitrust suit involving the University of Utah and medical services for children was another major case during his term. The university had been warned not to combine with a business that provided the same services but did so anyway, thereby making them the only providers. He pursued action against the university, incurring the wrath of the university. The case ran over into his successor's term for completion.
The abortion issue toward the end of his term proved very challenging when the state wanted to pass an anti-abortion law. He told them the law would be unconstitutional. As he was a Democrat, many did not want him involved. The state wanted to challenge the abortion issue but AG Van Dam argued it would be a waste of state dollars when case law indicated they would lose. The state hired an outside firm but ultimately failed in their efforts for the state.
During his term as AG he served as chair of the National Association of Attorneys General's antitrust committee.[6]
A quote from Utah's Deseret News provides his public service philosophy:
"Throughout my life, including my service as attorney general, I have worked with people from both parties to solve problems and represent the people of Utah. I will establish that same dynamic in the Senate, where the needs and concerns of the people of Utah will always be my priorities."
Van Dam did not run for a second term. He did in 2004 run for U.S. Senate against then Senator Robert Bennett feeling that issues needed to be dealt with such as health care.
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