Arizona Supreme Court Justice Brutinel Announces Retirement, Sparking Legal Community Buzz

Justice Robert Brutinel of the Arizona Supreme Court has announced his retirement, effective October 31, marking a significant transition in the state’s judicial landscape.

This departure allows Governor Katie Hobbs to make an important appointment, the first justice chosen by a Democrat since 2005.

Brutinel, who has dedicated 42 years to the legal profession, with 28 years as a judge, initially joined the Arizona Supreme Court in 2010, appointed by former Governor Jan Brewer.

His judicial career began in 1996 when he was appointed a Yavapai County Superior Court judge by then-Governor Fife Symington.

Reflecting on his decision, Brutinel expressed the challenges of leaving a position he cherished, stating, “I will greatly miss the Court’s interesting and challenging work and particularly all the wonderful people with whom I have had the pleasure of working.”

He served as chief justice from 2019 until July of this year, when Ann Timmer assumed the role.

Notably, Brutinel and Timmer were the only dissenting voices in a recent case concerning a controversial abortion ban from 1864.

In his resignation letter, Brutinel praised his colleagues and court staff, acknowledging their dedication and the intellectual debates that characterized his tenure.

Chief Justice Ann Timmer commended Brutinel’s nearly three-decade service, highlighting his leadership during the pandemic and the respect he earned among his peers.

Brutinel concluded his letter by conveying good wishes to Governor Hobbs as she embarks on the task of selecting her appointee.

Scott Bales, the last justice appointed by a Democrat, served until his retirement in 2019. His appointment by Janet Napolitano in 2005 marked a significant political shift in the Arizona Supreme Court.

Brutinel reflected on his career with pride, confident in the future of Arizona’s judicial system: “The future of our courts is bright.”

Governor Hobbs will select a successor from a list provided by the Arizona Commission on Appellate Court Appointments.