--- title: "John Pelander | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/john-pelander-3720" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # John Pelander Arizona Supreme Court ยท Judge ## Profile - Court: Arizona Supreme Court - State: Arizona - Role: Judge - Service status: former - Last verified: 2026-08-22 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - Judge, Arizona Supreme Court, 2009-present - In September 2009, Governor Janice Brewer appointed him to the Arizona Supreme Court, where he later held the role of Vice Chief Justice from July 2014 to January 2018. - He became chief judge of the court in 2004, serving until 2009 - Began his legal career as a law clerk for Judge Richard H. Chambers of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals from 1976 to 1977 - focusing on insurance defense, employment law, commercial litigation, and appeals, eventually becoming a partner at Slutes, Sakrison, Grant & Pelander, P.C. He was also a certified specialist in personal injury and wrongful death law and an associate of the American Board of Trial Advocates. ### Education - He later obtained a Master of Laws in Judicial Process from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1998. - He obtained a Bachelor of Arts from Wittenberg University in 1973, graduating cum laude, followed by a Juris Doctor from the University of Arizona College of Law in 1976, with high distinction and membership in the Order of the Coif. ### Additional information - He was retained in the 2012 election with 73.94% of the vote and retired on March 1, 2019. - He has also been an officer of the Council of Chief Judges of the State Courts of Appeal and was elected to the American Law Institute in 2015. - In May 1995, Pelander was appointed to the Arizona Court of Appeals, Division 2, by Governor Fife Symington. - He then entered private practice in Tucson, Arizona, from 1977 to 1995 - Arthur John Pelander III was born on January 26, 1951. - Date of birth: 1951-01-01 - Pelander has served on the Arizona Commission for Judicial Performance Review, the Arizona Judicial Council, and chaired the Judicial Ethics Advisory 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/3720/john-pelander/) - [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/3720/john-pelander/) - [Arizona Supreme Court current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/3720/john-pelander/) - [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/3720/john-pelander/) - [John Pelander - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/John_Pelander) - [Wikidata: John Pelander](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q16149944) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/john-pelander-3720", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/john-pelander-3720", "name": "John Pelander | KnowJudges", "description": "John Pelander, Arizona Supreme Court. 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