[1] He received a Bachelor of Arts degree, cum laude, from Brigham Young University (BYU) in 1975 and a Juris Doctor, cum laude, from the J. Reuben Clark Law School at (BYU) in 1978.

He served as president of the Utah State Bar from 2000 to 2001.

[5] He would replace Judge Dale A. Kimball, who assumed senior status in 2009.

The Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing on his nomination on September 20, 2011 and reported it to the floor on October 13, 2011.

On March 22, 2012, the United States Senate confirmed Nuffer by a 96–2 vote.