trial bench. Nehring served as the presiding judge of the Third Judicial District Court. He also served as chair of the Board of District Court Judges, as member of the Supreme Court Advisory Committee on the Rules of Professional Conduct, and as a member of the Utah Judicial Council. Nehring presided over Alvarez v. State of Utah, Civil No. 000909680 (Utah 3rd Dist. 2000), a case challenging the right of elected officials to communicate to the public through the use of non-English languages. In his memorandum opinion, Nehring upheld the rights of government employees to communicate in languages other than English. Nehring also ruled that the state could continue to give drivers license exams in languages other than English. Nehring's service as a district court judge ended with his appointment to the Utah Supreme Court. Utah Supreme Court In May 2003, Nehring was appointed to the Utah Supreme Court by Governor Michael Leavitt. Nehring endured an extended confirmation process in front of the Utah State Senate Judicial Confirmation Committee. Nehring was questioned concerning numerous politically controversial topics in Utah, including abortion rights, capital punishment, and the separation of church and state. The fact that Nehring, if confirmed, would be the only Supreme Court Justice to be unaffiliated with the state's predominant religion (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) was discussed by the Senate Confirmation Committee. The committee also considered questions relating to Nehring's health and his battle with cancer. For a description of the confirmation process, see the Additional Reading section. Associate Chief Justice Nehring announced his retirement in July 2014. He retired from the Utah Supreme Court on February 1, 2015. Justice Nehring was replaced by Constandinos Himonas, a judge in Utah's Third District—also not a member of the state's predominant religion. Punitive Damages Campbell v. State Farm Mutual Auto. Ins. Co., 98 P.3d 409 (Utah 2004) The facts, as cited in the summary presented in the issued Utah Supreme Court opinion, were as follows: Mr. Campbell was responsible for an automobile accident that disabled Robert Slusher and killed Todd Ospital. At the time, Mr. Campbell was insured by State Farm up to $25,000. State Farm chose not to settle the case. At trial, Mr. Campbell was found 100 percent responsible and a judgment was entered against him for $135,000. State Farm refused to pay this amount, suggesting instead that the Campbells put their house up for