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John M Pelander

Arizona Supreme Court
Biography

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, 2010
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

Professional Experience
Justice
Arizona Supreme Court
- Current
Judge
Arizona Court of Appeals, Division Two
-
Chief Judge, July 2004 – June 2009 Vice Chief Judge, July 1999 – June 2004
Law Clerk
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, Judge Richard H. Chambers
-
Partner
Slutes, Sakrison, Grant & Pelander, P.C.
-
Partner
Slutes, Browning, Sakrison & Grant, P.C.
-
Associate and Partner
Slutes, Browning, Zlaket & Sakrison, P.C.
-
Education
University of Virginia School of Law
LL.M. (1998)
University of Virginia School of Law Logo
James E. Rogers College of Law, University of Arizona
J.D. (1976)
Honors: with high distinction and Order of the Coif
Activities: Executive Editor, Arizona Law Review, 1975-1976
James E. Rogers College of Law, University of Arizona Logo
Wittenberg University
B.A. (1973)
Honors: cum laude
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Awards
Citation Award
Wittenberg University
Professional Achievement Award
University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law
Distinguished Alumnus Award
University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law
Arizona State Bar Award
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Professional Associations
Arizona Supreme Court CourTools Committee
Member
- Current
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Arizona State Bar Appellate Practice Section
--
- Current
Activities: Executive Council, 1996-1999
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University of Arizona College of Law
Moot court judge
- Current
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American Board of Trial Advocates
Member
- Current
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Council of Chief Judges of the State Courts of Appeal
Vice President
-
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Arizona College of Trial Advocacy
Faculty
-
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Morris K. Udall Inn of Court
Member
-
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Arizona Judicial Council
Member
-
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Council of Chief Judges of the State Courts of Appeal
Secretary/Treasurer
-
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Arizona Judicial Performance Review Commission
Member
-
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Judicial Ethics Advisory Committee
Member
-
Activities: Chairman, November 2000 – May 2004
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Arizona Supreme Court Advisory Rules Committee for Rules of Commission on Judicial Conduct
Member
-
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Arizona College of Trial Advocacy
Faculty
-
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Arizona State Bar Civil Practice and Procedure Committee
Member
-
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Publications
Articles & Publications
Judicial Performance Review in Arizona: Goals, Practical Effects and Concerns
30 Ariz. St. L. J. 643
Prelitigation Investigation, Analysis and Employment of Experts
ch. 2, Arizona Personal Injury Guide
Michigan v. Tucker: A Warning About Miranda
17 Ariz. L. Rev. 188
Religious Freedom and the Native American Church
16 Ariz. L. Rev. 554
Websites & Blogs
Website
Arizona Supreme Court
Website
Court biography
Contact & Map
Arizona Supreme Court
1501 W. Washington
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Telephone: (602) 452-3300