--- title: "Neil Vincent Wake | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/neil-vincent-wake-3339" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-09" --- # Neil Vincent Wake U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona · Senior Judge ## Profile - Court: U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona - State: Arizona - Role: Senior Judge - Service status: senior - Last verified: 2026-06-30 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - Judge, District Court, D. Arizona, 2004-present - Neil Vincent Wake (July 2, 1948 – May 26, 2026) was an American federal judge who served on the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona from 2004 until his death in 2026 ### Education - Harvard University — J.D. (1974) - Harvard Law School in — J.D. (1974) - Arizona State University in — B.A. (1971) ### Additional information - Served until July 5, 2016, when he assumed senior status, a role he held until his death. - Whiting (2011). - Legal Arizona Workers Act (2008) – Upheld Arizona’s law banning businesses from knowingly hiring illegal immigrants, rejecting constitutional challenges. - The U.S. Senate confirmed him on March 12, 2004, and he received his commission on March 15, 2004. - Private practice, Arizona, 1974-2004 - Practiced law in Arizona from 1974 to 2004. - On October 22, 2003, President George W. Bush nominated Wake to the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona, a seat vacated by. - Wake was born in Phoenix, Arizona, on July 2, 1948. - Date of birth: 1948-01-01 - Recognized for his judicial leadership, his willingness to address systemic issues in public institutions, and his role in significant legal rulings affecting immigration, civil rights, and public safety. - The ruling was later affirmed by the U.S. Supreme Court in Chamber of Commerce v. - Birth place: Phoenix, AZ ## 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/3339/neil-vincent-wake/) - [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/3339/neil-vincent-wake/) - [U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/3339/neil-vincent-wake/) - [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/3339/neil-vincent-wake/) - [Wikidata: Neil Vincent Wake](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6989444) - [U.S. District Court Directory - Judges](https://www.azd.uscourts.gov/clerk/phone-directory/judges) - [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/3339/neil-vincent-wake/) - [Wikidata: Neil Vincent Wake](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6989444) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/neil-vincent-wake-3339", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/neil-vincent-wake-3339", "name": "Neil Vincent Wake | KnowJudges", "description": "Neil Vincent Wake, U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona. 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Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule. [Official source](https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/federal-rules-of-civil-procedure.pdf). Collected 2026-10-27. - [Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, December 1, 2025](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-8721a344fececced2257fe1d) — Criminal proceedings in United States District Courts; this conservative mapping does not distribute appellate-specific provisions to appellate judges. Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule. [Official source](https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/federal-rules-of-criminal-procedure.pdf). Collected 2026-10-27.