PHOENIX — Gov. Jan Brewer selected John Pelander, an Arizona Court of Appeals judge in Tucson, to be the newest justice on the Arizona Supreme Court on Tuesday.
Tucson attorneys familiar with his work lauded the selection, citing both Pelander's legal skills and his Tucson roots.
Pelander, a Republican, has been on the Court of Appeals since 1995. He was chosen over two appellate court colleagues. The state constitution required the governor to make her pick from the nominees sent to her by a special commission.
Brewer said all three were "very qualified." But she said Pelander stood out as the kind of judge she wants on the bench.
"He possesses the intellect, the experience and the temperament to be an outstanding member of our state's highest court," the governor said. "He shares my philosophy that judges should strictly interpret the laws and the constitution, and not legislate from the bench."
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Pelander, in turn, promised to "do everything I can to live up to the trust and confidence you placed in me by faithfully applying the law and by fairly and impartially approaching and deciding cases that come before the court."
Brewer also cited Pelander's "long and distinguished career" as an attorney in private practice in Tucson from 1977 until his appointment by then-Gov. Fife Symington to the appellate court.
"That was important to me," she said. Brewer said he can "take all that time and experience and . . . apply it serving on the bench."
Jim Sakrison, who worked with Pelander in the same law firm for more than 10 years, said he was ecstatic.
"He's a wonderful jurist and a brilliant man, but the best thing about him is he has common sense and is modest to a fault. I can't say enough about him," Sakrison said, adding that he is also pleased to see someone from Tucson on the state high court bench, which hasn't been the case since Stanley Feldman stepped down in 2002.
"As an attorney, he was thoughtful and thorough, and that's the type of person you want on the bench," Sakrison said of Pelander. "He knows the law, but he's got good common sense, and he'll look at things from every angle."
David Berkman, Pima County's chief criminal deputy county attorney, has known Pelander for years and described him as a "wonderful guy" who is articulate, thoughtful and an exceptional writer with great judgment.
"What a great thing," Berkman said. "What an incredibly great choice. I couldn't be happier. He's a gem."
Pima County Public Defender Robert Hirsh was pleased with the announcement, particularly given Pelander's roots in Tucson.
"I think he's a very bright guy," Hirsh said. "He's got a very good reputation."
The governor said she interviewed all three candidates and discussed various prior court rulings with Pelander. Brewer would not disclose specific questions she asked him, but she said she never asked any "litmus-test" questions on issues such as abortion or gun control, and they didn't discuss any currently pending cases.
Pelander replaces Ruth McGregor, a Democrat, who stepped down on June 30. McGregor was the chief justice before retiring. The new chief justice is selected by the other justices on the court.
