Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) released the following statement on the announcement that Associate Chief Justice Thomas Rex Lee will be stepping down from the Utah Supreme Court.

“My brother Tom is truly a model jurist and public servant, and has fulfilled his role on the Utah Supreme Court with an unparalleled commitment to excellence and professionalism over the last twelve years. He’s a pioneer and expert in the use of linguistic theory and tools in interpreting the language of the law. 

“His work has brought increased transparency and determinacy to the work of textualism and originalism, thus enhancing the rule of law. His judicial opinions and scholarly publications in this field have been cited in state and federal courts throughout the country, including in the Supreme Court of the United States. I couldn’t be more proud to be his brother."