David Barlow, a Dorsey & Whitney litigation partner in Salt Lake City who joined the firm last year from Walmart Stores Inc., was nominated Wednesday to the Utah federal trial bench.

Barlow's practice has focused on civil litigation and white-collar investigations. At Walmart, Barlow was vice president for health and wellness compliance, which included pharmacies, vision centers and medical clinics. He previously worked at Sidley Austin from 2000 to 2010, making partner in 2006.

Barlow was an Obama-era U.S. attorney nominee, serving as the state's top federal prosecutor from 2011 to 2014. Before that post, Barlow served for a year as chief counsel to Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, on the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Utah Democrats had reportedly denounced Obama's selection of Barlow to serve as the Utah U.S. attorney. “We don't see how the people of Utah are served by this guy,” the late director of the Utah Democratic Party said in 2011.

In 2015, Barlow testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee in support of the confirmation of Loretta Lynch as U.S. attorney general to succeed Eric Holder Jr.

“During my time as United States Attorney, I had the privilege of serving with a truly outstanding group of U.S. Attorneys throughout the country. I learned much from them and was inspired by their service and commitment,” Barlow said in a statement. “Of all of these dedicated and talented public servants, the Honorable Loretta Lynch truly stood out. If confirmed by the Senate, I believe she will make an excellent Attorney General of the United States.”

Barlow also signed a bipartisan letter on behalf of himself and other former U.S. attorneys backing Lynch's nomination.

Federal campaign finance records show Barlow contributed $500 to the unsuccessful 2017 congressional campaign of Damon Martinez, a Democrat and former Obama-era U.S. attorney for New Mexico. Barlow's also contributed to Lee's campaigns.

Barlow said last year he relocated to Utah and joined Dorsey & Whitney as part of his family's desire to return to the state. The firm has grown its presence in Utah over the past couple of years. The Salt Lake City office has added close to 30 lawyers.

Ken Cutler, managing partner of Dorsey & Whitney, last October called Barlow “an extraordinary attorney and public servant whose experience in corporate and private practice and as U.S. attorney will be a great addition to Dorsey's firmwide strengths.”

Barlow is a 1998 Yale Law School graduate.