A state court of last resort / Established 1912

Supreme Court of Arizona

Phoenix · A court of last resort in Arizona.

The Supreme Court of Arizona is the highest court in Arizona. Its justices are chosen by gubernatorial appointment from a nominating commission, followed by retention elections. This page lists every justice to serve on the court, current and former, with when they joined the bench and whom they succeeded.

39
Justices in history
5
Currently serving
Merit selection
Selection
6-yr
Term
Current justices
Former justices
JusticeYears
Andrew David Hurwitz2003–2012
Michael D. Ryan2002–2010
Ruth V. McGregor1998–2009
Charles E. Jones1996–2005
Frederick J. Martone1992–2002
Thomas A. Zlaket1992–2002
Robert J. Corcoran1989–1996
James Moeller1987–1998
Stanley G. Feldman1982–2002
Frank X. Gordon Jr.1975–1992
William A. Holohan1972–1989
James D. Cameron1971–1992
Jack D.H. Hays1969–1987
Ernest W. McFarland1965–1971
Edward W. Scruggs1964–1965
Lorna E. Lockwood1961–1975
Renz L. Jennings1960–1964
Robert O. Lesher1960–1960
Jesse A. Udall1960–1972
Charles C. Bernstein1959–1969
J Mercer Johnson1957–1960
Fred C. Struckmeyer Jr.1955–1982
Dudley W. Windes1953–1959
Evo Anton DeConcini1949–1953
Marlin T. Phelps1949–1961
Levi S. Udall1947–1960
Arthur Thornton LaPrade1945–1957
Joseph H. Morgan1945–1947
R.C. Stanford1943–1955
Alfred C. Lockwood1925–1943
Frank H. Lyman1923–1925
Archibald G. McAlister1921–1945
Albert C. Baker1919–1921
Henry D. Ross1912–1945

How a justice reaches this court. Justices of the Supreme Court of Arizona are appointed by the governor to 6-year terms and then face yes-or-no retention elections. A bipartisan nominating commission sends names to the governor, who appoints; justices then stand for retention every six years. Selection methods vary by jurisdiction and have changed over time; this page reflects the court’s current method (source: National Center for State Courts). Open any justice to see their tenure and whom they succeeded.

Source: CourtListener / Free Law Project; selection method from the National Center for State Courts. Data last verified 2026-06-30. Verify against the primary source before relying. Not a consumer report (FCRA).