Biographies
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W. Scott Bales
Justice
EDUCATION:
J.D., magna cum laude, Harvard Law School,1983; Harvard Law Review, Board
of Editors, 1981-1983
M.A., Economics, Harvard University,1980
B.A., summa cum laude, Michigan State University, 1978 Phi Beta Kappa, Phi
Kappa Phi, Omicron Delta Epsilon
CLERKSHIPS:
U.S. Supreme Court, Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, 1984-1985
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, Judge Joseph T. Sneed III, 1983-1984
Office of the Solicitor General, U.S. Department of Justice, 1983
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
Justice, Arizona Supreme Court, 2005-Present
Lewis and Roca LLP, 2001-2005
American Academy of Appellate Lawyers, 2003
Director's Award for Superior Performance as an Assistant U.S. Attorney, U.S.
Department of Justice, Executive Office of U.S. Attorneys, 2001
Solicitor General, Office of the Arizona Attorney General, 1999-2001
Team AG Award, 2000
Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, 1995-1999
Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Office of Policy Development, U.S.
Department of Justice, 1998-1999
Special Investigative Counsel, Office of the Inspector General, U.S. Department of Justice, 1995-1997 (FBI
Laboratory Investigation); U.S. Attorney General's Distinguished Service Award 1998; Inspector General's
Award of Merit, 1997
Meyer, Hendricks, Victor, Osborn & Maledon, 1985-1994
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS AND ACTIVITIES:
Executive Committee, Appellate Judicial Conference, ABA Judicial Division, 2008- Present
American Law Institute (elected 2007)
Board of Trustees, American Inns of Court Foundation, 2006-present
Board of Directors, Arizona Foundation for Legal Services and Education, 2004-2005; Foundation for Justice
Award, 2005
Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, Advisory Committee on Rules of Practice, 2001-2005
Arizona Lawyer Representative, Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference, 2002-2005; Chair 2004-2005
Chair, District of Arizona, U.S. Magistrate Judge Merit Selection Committee (Phoenix), 2003-2004
Judge Pro Tempore, Arizona Court of Appeals, 1993, 1998-1999; Maricopa County,1995-2002
State Bar of Arizona
Appellate Practice Section, Executive Council, 2003-2006; Chair 2004-2005
Task Force on Access to Justice, 2002-2004
Rules of Professional Conduct Committee, 1999-2005
Civil Practice and Procedure Committee, 1996-1998
Criminal Rules Committee, 1995
Volunteer Bar Counsel, Arizona State Bar Disciplinary Proceedings, 1993
Arizona State Senate Ethics Committee, Special Investigative Counsel, 1991
TEACHING
University of Arizona, Adjunct Professor of Law; Separation of Powers, 2007-2009; Election Law, 2003-2005
Arizona State University, Adjunct Professor of Law; Separation of Powers, 2007-2009; Election Law, 2001;
Origins of the Constitution, 1993; Presidential Powers, 1989-1991; Advanced Civil Procedure, 1988;
The Supreme Court, 1988
Harvard University, Teaching Fellow, 1979-1983; Social Analysis 10 (introductory economics), 1979-1983; Allyn
Young Prize for Excellence in Teaching Economics 1980,1981; Antitrust Law and Economics, 1982-1983;
The Supreme Court and the Constitution, 1982
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Rebecca White Berch
Chief Justice
EDUCATION:
M.A., Arizona State University, 1990
J.D., Arizona State University College of Law, 1979
B.S., Arizona State University, 1976
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
Chief Justice, Arizona Supreme Court, July 2009 - Present
Vice Chief Justice, Arizona Supreme Court, June 2005 - June 2009
Justice, Arizona Supreme Court, March 2002 - June 2005
Judge, Arizona Court of Appeals, Division One,
April 1998 - March 2002
First Assistant Arizona Attorney General, 1996 - 1998
Special Counsel to the Arizona Attorney General, 1995 - 1996
Solicitor General for the State of Arizona, 1991 - 1994
Director, Legal Writing Program, Arizona State University College of Law,
1986 - 1991, 1994 - 1995
Associate and Partner, McGroder, Tryon, Heller, Rayes & Berch, 1979 - 1985
SELECTED PUBLIC SERVICE:
Co-Vice Chair, Education Committee, U.S. Conference of Chief Justices, 2010 - Present
Co-Vice Chair, Meeting Planning Committee, U.S. Conference of Chief Justices, 2010 - Present
Board of Trustees, National Conference of Bar Examiners, 2009 - Present
Chair, Education Committee, National Conference of Bar Examiners, 2010 - Present
Council, Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar, American Bar Association,
2010 - Present
Council - Executive Committee, Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar,
American Bar Association, 2010 - Present
Chair, Arizona Commission on Appellate Court Appointments, 2009 - Present
Board of Advisors, The Green Bag Almanac and Reader, 2006 - Present
Board of Directors, U.S. Conference of Chief Justices, 2009 - 2010
Chair, Bar Admissions Committee, Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar,
American Bar Association, 2007 - 2010
Chair, Probate Rules Committee, 2006 - 2007
Chair, Commission on Technology, 2005 - 2009
Chair, Maricopa County Trial Court Appointments, 2002 - 2005
Judicial College of Arizona, 1999 - 2004 (Dean, 2002 - 2004)
Liaison, Arizona State Bar Board of Governors, 2002 - 2003
Commission on Judicial Conduct, 2001 - 2002
Judicial Ethics Advisory Committee, 2000 - 2001
Board of Certified Court Reporters, 1999 - 2002
Committee on Examinations, 1996 - 2002
Board of Editors, The Journal of the Legal Writing Institute, 1990 - 2002
Board of Directors, Homeless Legal Assistance Project, 1990 - 1999
State Bar Civil Practice (RAJI) Committee, 1992 - 1995
Civil Justice Reform Act Advisory Committee, 1992 - 1994
Judge Pro Tempore, Arizona Court of Appeals
Judge Pro Tempore and Court-Appointed Arbitrator, Superior Court in Maricopa County,
1984 - 1998
Board of Directors, Arizona State University College of Law Alumni Association, 1982 - 1985
Law Society, Arizona State University College of Law, 1987 - present
Various Appellate Practice Institutes (Chair, Judge, and Speaker)
Committee on Judicial Education and Training, 2002 - 2004
Valley Leadership Class XIX
We the People – Volunteer Judge and Trainer (Local and National)
Arizona Mock Trial – Judge for High School Competitions
HONORS AND AWARDS:
Graduation Speaker, Arizona State University College of Law, 2008, 2010
Graduation Speaker, Phoenix College, 2009
Rebecca White Berch Pro Bono Suite, Arizona State University College of Law, dedicated 2003
Distinguished Achievement Award, Arizona State University College of Law, 2002
Outstanding Alumnus, Arizona State University College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, 2002
Professional Achievement and Contributions Award, Arizona Women Lawyers' Association, 2002
Outstanding Alumnus of the Year Award, Arizona State University College of Law, 1999 - 2000
Outstanding Alumnus Award, Arizona State University College of Law, 1999
Appreciation Award, National Association of Attorneys General, 1998
Outstanding Service Award, Arizona Attorney General's Office, 1998
Recognition for Contributions to Arizona State University College of Law, 1994
Distinguished Service Award, Arizona State University College of Law, 1994
Outstanding Attorney of the Year, Arizona Attorney General's Office, 1992
Outstanding Service Award, Arizona Attorney General's Office, 1992
Outstanding Service Award, Phoenix College, 1974
Award for Leadership and Service to Arizona State University, 1973
PUBLICATIONS:
Co-Author, Introduction to Legal Method and Process, West Publishing Co., 1985, 5th edition, 2010
Co-Author, Teacher's Manual for Introduction to Legal Method and Process, West Publishing Co., 1985, 5th edition, 2010
Author, eleven law review articles, chapters in two books, book reviews and numerous articles
TEACHING:
Director, Legal Research and Writing Program, Arizona State University College of Law,
1986 - 1995 (leave 1991 - 1994)
Adjunct Professor, Arizona State University College of Law, 1984 - 1986
Adjunct Professor, Center for Women's Studies, Arizona State University, 1985 - 1986
Adjunct Professor, Center for the Study of Justice, Arizona State University, 1980 - 1982
Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, Arizona, summers 1986 - 1987
Mount St. Mary's College, Los Angeles, California, 08-1986
Regular Speaker for Continuing Legal Education Programs and Civic Groups
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Andrew D. Hurwitz
Vice Chief Justice
EDUCATION:
J.D., Yale University, 1972; Yale Law Journal, Note and Comment Editor,
1971-1972; Board of Editors, 1969-1971
A.B., cum laude, Princeton University, Public and International Affairs,
1968; Phi Beta Kappa
JUDICIAL CLERKSHIPS:
U.S. Supreme Court, Justice Potter Stewart, 1973-1974
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, Judge J. Joseph Smith, 1972-1973
U.S. District Court, District of Connecticut, Judge Jon O. Newman, 1972
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
Vice Chief Justice, 2009 - Present
Justice, Arizona Supreme Court, 2003 to 2009
Partner, Osborn Maledon, 1995-2003
Judge Pro Tempore, Arizona Court of Appeals, Div. I, 1994, 1996 and 1998
Associate and Partner, Meyer Hendricks Victor Osborn & Maledon, 1974-1980, 1983-1995
PROFESSIONAL AND CIVIC ASSOCIATIONS:
American Law Institute, 2002-Present
Horace Rumpole Inn of Court, Master, 1997-Present
Arizona Center for Law in the Public Interest, Board of Directors, 1986-1988
Arizona Town Hall, 1992-2004
Arizona State University Research Park, Director, 1989-2003
Children's Action Alliance, Board of Directors, 1999-2003 (Secretary, 2002-2003)
City of Phoenix, Street Environment Committee, Chair, 1989-1990
City of Phoenix, Neighborhood Improvement Committee, Chair, 1986-1988
Princeton Alumni Schools Committee, 1983-Present
State Bar of Arizona, Examination and Bar Review Committee, 1986-1987
State Bar of Arizona, Committee on Rules of Professional Conduct, 1985-1990
Federal Rules of Evidence Advisory Committee, 2004-Present
BAR ADMISSIONS:
Arizona Supreme Court (finished first on Arizona Bar Exam), 1974
Connecticut Superior Court, 1973
U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit, 1987
U.S. District Court, District of Connecticut, 1977
U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit, 1977
U.S. Supreme Court, 1976
U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit, 1975
U.S. District Court, District of Arizona, 1975
GOVERNMENT SERVICE:
Chief of Staff to Governor Rose Mofford, 1988
Chief of Staff to Governor Bruce Babbitt, 1980-1983
Arizona Board of Regents, 1988-1996 (President, 1992-1993)
Co-chair of Transition Team for Governor Janet Napolitano, 2002
LAW SCHOOL TEACHING:
Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law, Arizona State University Adjunct Professor of Law, teaching Ethics, Supreme
Court Litigation, Legislative Process, Civil Procedure, Federal Courts, 1977-1980, 1988, 2002, 2004-Present
Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law, Arizona State University, Distinguished Visitor from Practice, 2001
Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law, Arizona State University, Visiting Professor of Law, Civil Procedure, 1994-
1995
ENDOWED LECTURE:
Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law, Arizona State University, The Willard H. Pedrick Lecture, 1999
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A. John Pelander
Justice
EDUCATION:
LL.M. (Master of Laws in Judicial Process) University of Virginia School of
Law, 1998
J.D., with high distinction and Order of the Coif University of Arizona College
of Law, 1976
Executive Editor, Arizona Law Review, 1975-1976
B.A., cum laude, Wittenberg University, 1973
JUDICIAL CLERKSHIP:
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit,
Judge Richard H. Chambers, 1976-1977
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
Justice, Arizona Supreme Court, September 2009 – present
Judge, Arizona Court of Appeals, Division Two, May 1995 – August 2009
Chief Judge, July 2004 – June 2009
Vice Chief Judge, July 1999 – June 2004
Partner, Slutes, Sakrison, Grant & Pelander, P.C., 1984-1995
Partner, Slutes, Browning, Sakrison & Grant, P.C., 1981-1984
Associate and Partner, Slutes, Browning, Zlaket & Sakrison, P.C., 1977-1981
HONORS AND AWARDS:
Citation Award, Wittenberg University, 2010
Professional Achievement Award, University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law, 2007
Distinguished Alumnus Award, University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law, 2007
Second Year Law Student Contributing Most to Legal Scholarship, 1975
Outstanding First Year Writer, Arizona Law Review, 1974
Arizona State Bar Award, 1974 (top exam in course on legal ethics)
Standard Oil of Ohio Scholarship, Wittenberg University (4 years)
Alumni Scholarship, Wittenberg University (4 years)
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS AND ACTIVITIES:
Council of Chief Judges of the State Courts of Appeal
Vice President (2008-2009); Secretary/Treasurer (2007-2008)
Arizona Judicial Council, 2004-2009
Arizona Judicial Performance Review Commission, 2000-2007
Judicial Ethics Advisory Committee, 1997-2004
Chairman, November 2000 – May 2004
Arizona Supreme Court CourTools Committee, 2008-present
Arizona Supreme Court Advisory Rules Committee for Rules of Commission on Judicial Conduct, 2000-2001
Arizona College of Trial Advocacy, Faculty, 1993-1995, 2007-2009
American Board of Trial Advocates, 1987-present
Arizona State Bar Appellate Practice Section, 1995-present
Executive Council, 1996-1999
Arizona State Bar Civil Practice and Procedure Committee, 1983-1984
Morris K. Udall Inn of Court, 2006-2009
Presenter at many state and county bar association CLE programs
Moot court judge, University of Arizona College of Law, 1995-present
PUBLICATIONS:
Judicial Performance Review in Arizona: Goals, Practical Effects and Concerns, 30 Ariz. St. L. J. 643 (1998)
Michigan v. Tucker: A Warning About Miranda, 17 Ariz. L. Rev. 188 (1975)
Religious Freedom and the Native American Church, 16 Ariz. L. Rev. 554 (1974)
Prelitigation Investigation, Analysis and Employment of Experts, ch. 2, Arizona Personal Injury Guide (1991)
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Michael D. Ryan
Justice
EDUCATION:
Jurist Doctorate degree from Arizona State University Law School, May 1977
Bachelor of Arts degree from St. John's University, Collegeville, Minnesota,
June 1967
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
Justice, Arizona Supreme Court, July 1, 2002 to Present
Judge, Court of Appeals, Phoenix, Arizona October 8, 1996 to July 1, 2002
Vice Chief Judge, July 1, 2001 to July 1, 2002
Judge, Superior Court, Maricopa County, June 1986 to October 8, 1996
Associate Criminal Presiding Judge, 1993-1996
Full time Judge pro tempore, Maricopa County Superior Court, October 1985 to
June 1986
Deputy County Attorney, Maricopa County Attorney's Office, October 1977 to October 1985. Served in the
Major Felony Bureau, and one of four trial group managers in the office; Also co-coordinator of the office's sex
crimes unit
MILITARY SERVICE:
United States Marine Corps, September 1967 to February 1969. Medically retired as a result of wounds received in
Vietnam. Served in Vietnam as platoon commander. Last rank was First Lieutenant. Awarded the Bronze Star,
with a combat "V" for actions in combat. Also awarded two Purple Hearts.
SELECTED COMMUNITY SERVICE:
Chair, Arizona Supreme Court Capital Case Oversight Committee, 2008 to Present
Chair, Arizona Supreme Court Capital Case Task Force, 2007
Vice Chair, Arizona State Bar's Committee on Persons with Disabilities in the Profession, 2002 to Present
Chair, Arizona Supreme Court's Committee on Keeping the Record, 2004 to 2005
Member, Advisory Committee for the National Center for State Courts, Center for Effective Public Policy and State
Justice Institute's National Solutions Project, 2003 to 2004
Member, Arizona Attorney General's Capital Case Commission from 2000 through 2002. Chaired the
Commission's Direct Appeal-Post-Conviction Relief subcommittee and also served on the Data-Research
subcommittee of the Commission
Member, Maricopa County Resource Site Team for the Center for Sex Offender Management, 1996 through 2000
Member, Committee on the Recruitment and Retention of Women and Minority Lawyers, Maricopa County Bar
Association, 1997 to Present; Chair, 1997 to 2004
Member, Board of Directors, Maricopa County Bar Association, 1987 to 1991, and 1997 to 2002
Member, Scottsdale Judicial Appointments Advisory Board, 1999 to 2004; Chair, 1999 to 2002
SELECTED AWARDS:
Board of Directors' Member of the Year, Maricopa County Bar Association, 1999-2000
Judicial Award of Excellence for outstanding dedication and commitment to improving the justice system, State Bar
of Arizona, Public Lawyers Section, 2001
Honorable Henry S. Stevens Judge of the Year Award for outstanding service to improve the legal system, legal
profession and professionalism of the bench and bar, Maricopa County Bar Association, 2001
Arizona State University College of Law's Outstanding Alumnus Award, 2003
Arizona State University College of Law's Distinguished Achievement Award, 2003
State Bar of Arizona's James A. Walsh Outstanding Jurist Award, 2005
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