Arizona Supreme Court Justice Robert Brutinel announced his retirement, effective October 31, 2024, after over 40 years in the legal field.
Appointed by former Republican Governor Jan Brewer in 2009, Brutinel served as chief justice from 2019 to 2024.
In his retirement letter, he expressed pride in his service and confidence in the judicial system’s future.
Brutinel’s departure presents Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs with a rare chance to appoint a justice to the predominantly Republican court, which was expanded to seven members in 2016.
The court recently reinstated an 1864 near-total abortion ban, which was later repealed by state lawmakers with Hobbs signing the repeal.
Governor Hobbs will receive a list of candidates from the Commission on Appellate Court Appointments by the end of the year and will have 60 days to select Brutinel’s replacement.
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