---
title: "Donn Kessler | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/donn-kessler-6218"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-07"
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# Donn Kessler

Court of Appeals of Arizona · Judge

## Profile

- Court: Court of Appeals of Arizona
- State: Arizona
- Role: Judge
- Service status: former
- Last verified: 2026-06-30

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Biography

### Professional career

- Judge, Court of Appeals of Arizona, 2003-present
- Judge on Division One of the Arizona Court of Appeals from 2003 until his retirement in 2017
- Private practice at Jones Skelton & Hochuli (Phoenix, AZ, 2002–2017)
- Staff attorney, Arizona Supreme Court (2000–2002)
- Co-authored Arizona Healthcare Professional Liability Handbook (1992, 1994 Supp.) and Federal Appellate Practice: Ninth Circuit (1999, 2000 Supp.)
- Partner at Ulrich, Kessler & Anger (Phoenix, AZ, 1991–2000)
- Appellate attorney and litigator at Christian Barton Epps Brent & Chappell in Richmond, Virginia (1979-1982), Jennings Strouss & Salmon in Phoenix (1982-1990), and Ulrich, Kessler & Anger in Phoenix (1991-2000)
- Partner at Jennings Strouss & Salmon (Phoenix, AZ, 1982–1990)
- Appellate attorney and litigator at Christian Barton Epps Brent & Chappell (Richmond, VA, 1979–1982)
- Assistant Attorney General, Commonwealth of Virginia (1978–1979)
- Deputy Attorney General, State of Hawaii (1975–1977)
- held the role of judge pro tempore for Division One of the Arizona Court of Appeals for four years

### Education

- University of Virginia-Main Campus — B.A.
- Yale University — J.D.

### Additional information

- Retained in 2012 for a term expiring in 2019
- Kessler sat on 518 opinions from 2004–2018, with 164 majority-authored decisions.
- Appointed to the Arizona Court of Appeals, Division One by Governor Janet Napolitano in 2003
- Practitioner, 2002-2002
- Withycombe among his most cited cases.
- His most frequent co-panelists included Margaret H. Downie, Kent E. Cattani, and Peter B. Swann.
- he authored 96 published opinions, 7 dissents, and 10 concurrences, with Dawson v.
- Chair, State Bar Antitrust Section
- President, Arizona Association of Healthcare Lawyers
- First Chair, State Bar Appellate Practice Section
- Co-chair, Appellate Mediation Committee for Division One of the Court of Appeals
- Member, State Bar Civil Practice and Procedure Committee

## Before you appear

- Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed.
- Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance.
- Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding.

## Courtroom Rules

### digital evidence portal

Scope: statewide

Arizona's digital-evidence portal supports invited parties in participating courts to upload, review, manage, and share case exhibits for virtual or in-person hearings.

Evidence excerpt: The digital evidence portal provides convenient 24/7 online access to upload, review, and manage exhibits in a case to which a party has been invited.

[Arizona Digital Evidence](https://www.azcourts.gov/digitalevidence)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### remote hearing local orders

Scope: statewide

Arizona requires each Superior, Justice, and Municipal Court to issue a local remote-hearing administrative order. The applicable county or court order controls scheduling and technology requirements.

Evidence excerpt: The Arizona Supreme Court also mandated that each Superior, Justice, and Municipal Court issue a local administrative order based on these recommendations, with modifications as necessary due to technology or staffing limitations.

[Local Administrative Orders Regarding Virtual Hearings](https://www.azcourts.gov/courtservices/Court-Services-Home/Local-Administrative-Orders-Regarding-Virtual-Hearings)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### remote appearances and evidence

Scope: statewide

Arizona remote appearances depend on the assigned judge and court. Parties should provide the court with evidence, documents, photos, or proof needed for the remote hearing using the court's directions.

Evidence excerpt: Depending on the judge and court, hearings can be scheduled as in person or remote appearances.

[Remote Court Appearances](https://www.azcourts.gov/selfservicecenter/Resources/Remote-Court-Appearances)
Source checked: 2026-07-26


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/6218/donn-kessler/)
- [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/6218/donn-kessler/)
- [Court of Appeals of Arizona current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/6218/donn-kessler/)
- [Arizona Digital Evidence](https://www.azcourts.gov/digitalevidence)
- [Local Administrative Orders Regarding Virtual Hearings](https://www.azcourts.gov/courtservices/Court-Services-Home/Local-Administrative-Orders-Regarding-Virtual-Hearings)
- [Remote Court Appearances](https://www.azcourts.gov/selfservicecenter/Resources/Remote-Court-Appearances)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/6218/donn-kessler/)
- [DONN KESSLER](https://coa1.azcourts.gov/coa1/former-judges/DONN-KESSLER.aspx)
- [History of the Court](https://coa1.azcourts.gov/Court-Information/History-of-the-Court)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/6218/donn-kessler/)
- [DONN KESSLER](https://coa1.azcourts.gov/coa1/former-judges/DONN-KESSLER.aspx)

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