---
title: "Erik Thorson | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/erik-thorson-maricopa-520"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-07"
---

# Erik Thorson

Superior Court in Maricopa County · Superior Court Judge

## Profile

- Court: Superior Court in Maricopa County
- State: Arizona
- Role: Superior Court Judge
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-07-26

## Summary

Official judge-specific and circuitwide procedural guidance has been located for this profile.

## Biography

### Professional career

- Arizona Tax Court Rules of Practice Task Force Chair (2024) The Judicial Branch of Arizona in Maricopa County
- Lawyer: Partner at Snell & Wilmer LLP (2017–2018) and Associate (2008–2017) in the Special
- Judge Thorson’s division uses Court Connect for virtual proceedings and CaseCenter for electronic exhibits The Judicial Branch of Arizona in Maricopa County

### Education

- University of Michigan Law School — J.D. (2008)
- Bachelor's Degree — Arizona State University — 2004

### Additional information

- Arizona Supreme Court Advisory Committee on Rules of Evidence — Chair (2024–present) The Judicial Branch of Arizona in Maricopa County.
- State Bar of Arizona Civil Practice and Procedure Committee (2014–present) The Judicial Branch of Arizona in Maricopa County.
- Arizona Supreme Court Task Force on Rules and Procedure for Special Actions (2023–2024) The Judicial Branch of Arizona in Maricopa County.
- Past assignments: Civil Department (2022), Juvenile Court (2018), Northeast Regional Court Center (2020) The Judicial Branch of Arizona in Maricopa County.
- Current assignment: Family Court, Phoenix, Maricopa County Superior Court The Judicial Branch of Arizona in Maricopa County.
- Maricopa County Superior Court judge in Phoenix, Arizona, currently presiding over Family Court cases and serving as the Arizona Tax Court Presiding Judge, with a career that spans law, journalism, and judicial leadership.
- He emphasizes respectful, professional conduct, prohibits harassment or bias, and requires all case communications via the court’s email system to include all parties The Judicial Branch of Arizona in Maricopa County.
- Member of the National Conference of State Tax Judges and International Association of LGBTQ+.

## 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

### judge specific protocol

Scope: judge specific

Erik Thorson has a published Maricopa protocol and practice page; review it for judge-specific courtroom and presentation requirements before appearing.

Evidence excerpt: Protocol and Practice

[Protocol and Practice page for Erik Thorson](https://www.superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/JudicialBiographies/profile.asp?jdgID=520&jdgUSID=13287)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### judge protocol directory

Scope: courtwide

Maricopa County publishes judge and judicial-officer protocol links from its official judicial-officer directory; check the assigned officer's protocol page before hearings or trial presentation planning.

Evidence excerpt: Protocol

[Maricopa County Superior Court Judicial Officers](https://www.superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/JudicialBiographies/index.asp?title=0)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### 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.superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/JudicialBiographies/judicialBio.asp?jdgID=520&jdgUSID=13287)
- [Official roster](https://www.superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/JudicialBiographies/judicialBio.asp?jdgID=520&jdgUSID=13287)
- [Superior Court of Arizona in Maricopa County official judicial roster](https://www.superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/JudicialBiographies/judicialBio.asp?jdgID=520&jdgUSID=13287)
- [Maricopa County Superior Court Judicial Officers](https://www.superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/JudicialBiographies/index.asp?title=0)
- [Protocol and Practice page for Erik Thorson](https://www.superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/JudicialBiographies/profile.asp?jdgID=520&jdgUSID=13287)
- [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)
- [Official biography source for Erik Thorson](https://www.superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/JudicialBiographies/judicialBio.asp?jdgID=520&jdgUSID=13287)

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## Published courtroom rules

### Shared court rules

- [Local Administrative Orders Regarding Virtual Hearings](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-7bfe9b727b74710561b957ad) — Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim.  Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory. [Official source](https://www.azcourts.gov/courtservices/Court-Services-Home/Local-Administrative-Orders-Regarding-Virtual-Hearings). Collected 2026-07-26.
