--- title: "John R. Lopez IV | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/john-r-lopez-iv-az-supreme" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # John R. Lopez IV Arizona Supreme Court · Vice Chief Justice ## Profile - Court: Arizona Supreme Court - State: Arizona - Role: Vice Chief Justice - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-08-22 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - Vice Chief Justice (2024–present) — Assumed office July 1, 2024 - Justice of the Arizona Supreme Court (2016–present) — Retained by voters in 2020 with 72.7% of the vote - Over 12 years at the U.S. Attorney’s Office (roles included Executive Assistant U.S. Attorney and Chief of Public Crimes & Public Integrity) - Clerked for Justice Charles Jones, Arizona Supreme Court - First Hispanic justice appointed to the Arizona Supreme Court ### Education - University of Texas at Austin - Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law ### Additional information - In April 2024, Lopez authored a 4–2 decision in Planned Parenthood Arizona v. - He took the bench in January 2017. - Appointed by Governor Doug Ducey on November 28, 2016, filling one of two newly created seats after the court expanded from five to seven justices. - Date of birth: 1969 - Born 1968. - Served six months in Iraq as a legal advisor assisting in the prosecution of Saddam Hussein - Commercial litigator at Bryan Cave - American jurist serving on the Arizona Supreme Court. - Arizona Solicitor General prior to Supreme Court appointment - Mayes, ruling that Arizona’s territorial-era near-total abortion ban is enforceable. ## 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.azcourts.gov/AZ-Supreme-Court/Meet-the-Justices) - [Official roster](https://www.azcourts.gov/AZ-Supreme-Court/Meet-the-Justices) - [Arizona Judicial Branch official judicial roster](https://www.azcourts.gov/AZ-Supreme-Court/Meet-the-Justices) - [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) - [Wikidata: John Lopez IV](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q27947650) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/john-r-lopez-iv-az-supreme", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/john-r-lopez-iv-az-supreme", "name": "John R. 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