Seventeen Contenders Vie for Arizona Supreme Court Seat

By Matthew Holloway |

The search for a successor to Arizona Supreme Court Justice Robert Brutinel is gaining momentum following his announcement of retirement effective October 31. With the reappointment of Justices Clint Bolick and Kathryn King confirmed, Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs will soon select a new justice from a narrowed pool of candidates. Initially, 17 applicants will be considered, with three finalists presented to the governor by the Arizona Commission on Appellate Court Appointments.

The application period closed on November 1, with candidates required to meet three key constitutional criteria: being licensed attorneys in good standing, under the age of 65, and Arizona residents for at least a decade. The Commission emphasizes several judicial standards that all candidates must demonstrate, including a solid command of the law, impartiality, and effective communication skills.

Brutinel, who joined the court in 2010 after an appointment from former Governor Jan Brewer, served as Chief Justice from 2019 until his retirement. In his farewell statement, Brutinel reflected on his 42-year legal career and his belief in the judicial system’s role in protecting rights and improving lives. He expressed pride in the work he undertook and acknowledged the emotional difficulty of leaving the court.

The new appointee will be significant, marking the first Democratic nomination since Justice Scott Bales left the bench in 2019. A diverse candidate slate includes individuals such as:

• Sheena S. Chiang, a noted criminal defense attorney.
• Ann B. Ching, a Clinical Professor of Law at ASU.
• Janette C. Corral, a Commissioner of the Superior Court.
• Maria Elena Cruz, a Judge on the Arizona Court of Appeals.
• Monica N. Bellapravalu Edelstein, a sitting Maricopa County Superior Court Judge.
• D. Andrew Gaona, a legal advisor to the Hobbs administration.
• Andrew M. Jacobs, a judge with academic ties to Harvard Law School.
• Shalanda M. Looney, specializing in juvenile law.
• Doreen N. McPaul, an assistant attorney for the Tohono O’odham Nation.
• Robert J. McWhirter, a criminal law attorney.
• Regina L. Nassen, principal assistant city attorney for Tucson.
• Alexander W. Samuels, deputy solicitor general for the Arizona Attorney General’s Office.
• Amy D. Sells, an appellate attorney at Tiffany & Bosco.
• Mikel P. Steinfeld, a public defender supervisor.
• Barry G. Stratford, a partner at Perkins Coie.
• William R. Wingard, a Maricopa County Superior Court judge.

The Commission is actively investigating the candidates’ backgrounds and will hold public interviews. Following these sessions, a shortlist will be created for Governor Hobbs, with public comments facilitated in a meeting scheduled for November 22.

Matthew Holloway is a reporter for AZ Free News. Follow him on X for his latest stories, or email tips to Matthew@azfreenews.com.