---
title: "Wendell Griffen | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/wendell-griffen-6206"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-08-02"
---

# Wendell Griffen

Court of Appeals of Arizona · Judge

## Profile

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

## Summary

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

## Biography

### Professional career

- Retired Arkansas circuit judge, former Arkansas Court of Appeals justice, and pastor, currently running as the Democratic candidate for Pulaski County Judge in the 2026 election
- Judge, Court of Appeals of Arizona, 2010-present
- Next step: The Pulaski County Judge election is scheduled for November 3, 2026, with Griffen facing Republican nominee Michael Rushin
- In 2026, Griffen is running for Pulaski County Judge — the county’s chief executive — after defeating incumbent Barry Hyde in the March primary.

### Education

- B.A. in political science and government from the University of Arkansas (1973) and a J.D. from the University of Arkansas School of Law (1979).

### Additional information

- Griffen was appointed by former Arkansas Governor Jim Guy Tucker to the Arkansas Court of Appeals in 1995, serving until 2008.
- Date of birth: 1952-09-23
- One Future.”
- The first black lawyer at the Little Rock firm of Wright Lindsey & Jennings, where he practiced business and tort law.
- Also an ordained Baptist minister, past president of the Pulaski County Bar Association, and a U.S. Army veteran who received the Army Commendation Medal for leadership in race relations and equal opportunity work.
- His campaign theme is “One County.
- He later became Circuit Judge for the Sixth Judicial Circuit (covering Pulaski and Perry counties) for over a decade, presiding over criminal and civil trials.
- Before his judicial career, he was founder and CEO of Griffen Strategic Consulting, PLLC and held the role of chairman of the Arkansas Workers’ Compensation Commission under Governor Bill Clinton.

## 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/6206/wendell-griffen/)
- [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/6206/wendell-griffen/)
- [Court of Appeals of Arizona current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/6206/wendell-griffen/)
- [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/6206/wendell-griffen/)
- [Griffen, Wendell - Encyclopedia of Arkansas](https://encyclopediaofarkansas.net/entries/wendell-griffen-15691)
- [Wendell Griffen - FranaWiki](https://honors.uca.edu/wiki/index.php/Wendell_Griffen)

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