![](./mar062019_files/S(1).gif) |
Greetings,
When students ask me for the name of a judge I consider to be especially thoughtful and a person who illustrates what it means to have a judicial temperament, I often say "Justice John Pelander."
This week we celebrate the career of John Pelander ('76) on the occasion of his retirement from the Arizona Supreme Court. It will be a loss to the state judiciary, but a gain for Arizona Law to have more of his time and presence back in Tucson.
Until the footnotes,
Marc
|
|
Justice John Pelander ('76) Retires from Arizona Supreme Court
|
Retiring Justice John Pelander, JD class of 1976, capped his nearly 10 years on the Arizona Supreme Court by gathering last week at the State Courts Building with colleagues and friends who celebrated his career and contributions to justice in the State of Arizona.
Speakers at the event included Chief Justice Scott Bales, Dave Byers of the Administrative Office of the Courts, Joel England ('02) of the State Bar of Arizona, and Anni Foster of the Governor's Office.
Justice Pelander was appointed to the Arizona Supreme Court in 2009 by Governor Jan Brewer. He was Vice Chief from mid-2014 to early 2018. He previously served for 14 years on the Arizona Court of Appeals, Division 2, including five years as Chief Judge. He also spent 18 years in private practice in Tucson.
|
Justice Pelander (far right) at last week's farewell celebration
alongside his fellow justices.
|
Chief Justice Bales noted, "For more than twenty-three years, Justice Pelander has been an exemplary judge -- a model for his wisdom, collegiality, and commitment to fairly upholding the law." After the event, Chief Justice Bales also shared that Justice Pelander, a longtime basketball player and fan (particularly of the Wildcats), has been an all-star on many courts, and that he -- like former basketball star and U.S. Senator Bill Bradley -- is not only extraordinarily talented, but also inspired others to do better: "John played that role on our team at the Arizona Supreme Court. His example and friendship inspired us to be better judges. We will greatly miss him on our Court and wish him a most enjoyable retirement."
|
From left to right: Vice Chief Justice Robert Brutinel, Arizona Law Professor Ellen Bublick, Justice Pelander, Arizona Law Director of Development Megan O'Leary, and Arizona Law Professor of Practice Lisa Howell ('04).
|
Vice Chief Justice Robert Brutinel ('82) commented, "I wish Justice Pelander the best in his retirement, but I am truly saddened that he's leaving the Court. Over the last nine years I have gotten to know John as an outstanding judge, a logical thinker, and a great colleague. He is also an outstanding editor and an elegant writer. Whether we agreed on the outcome of a case or not, he made everyone's work better. We will miss having him on the Court."
Originally from Ohio, John moved west for law school and quickly set down lasting roots in Tucson. He graduated from the UA with his JD, earning high distinction and Order of the Coif. He has also been an avid Wildcat football and basketball fan ever since. And he has returned often to Arizona Law to interact with students, faculty, and fellow alumni. Now John and Mary look forward to spending more of their time at home in Tucson. John is also considering new ways to engage with the legal community in Tucson and the state. (He answers questions about that in a recent KJZZ interview.)
|
Arizona Law Team Competes in National Environmental Law Moot Court
![](./mar062019_files/S.gif) |
| ![](./mar062019_files/S.gif) |
The team ready and waiting for their third round.
|
Professor Joy E. Herr-Cardillo ('84) wrote to congratulate the Arizona Law team of Ashley Daltrey (2L), Brooke Harris (2L), and Jessica Moore (3L) on an outstanding job representing our school at last week's Jeffrey G. Miller National Environmental Law Moot Court Competition (NELMCC), held at Pace Law School. The NELMCC is one of the most prestigious interscholastic specialty-skills competitions in the country. The team made it through three tough rounds of competition. They had to argue on behalf of a different party in each round, and expertly handled very tough questioning on six environmental issues so complex that some of the judges visibly wrestled with them.
This year's problem contemplated whether plaintiffs, who inhabited disappearing islands, could invoke the jurisdiction of the federal court to address climate change using a combination of international environmental law, the alien tort statute, and the public trust doctrine. Professor Herr-Cardillo says that, yes, it really was as crazy and complicated as it sounds. She shared, "Throughout the competition, the team demonstrated commitment, collegiality, and composure. All three of the team members put in several months of hard work, including drafting the brief in October and November, and participating in multiple practice sessions each week this semester." The trio benefitted from preparation and advice from Arizona Law faculty, including Bethany Sullivan ('11), Jamie Ratner, Don Large, David Gantz, and James Hopkins. The team also received support from several local and visiting environmental lawyers -- Harlan Agnew ('73), Barrington Daltrey, Bruce Plenk, Adriane Hofmeyr, and Michael LeBlanc -- who volunteered as practice judges and provided invaluable feedback. Finally, in one of their last practice sessions before leaving for New York, the team argued before Arizona Court of Appeals Division 2 Chief Judge Peter Eckerstrom, who not only asked them great questions, but also had several practical tips and pointers. Congratulations again to our outstanding team, Ashley, Brooke and Jessica!
|
![](./mar062019_files/S(1).gif) |
Invitation to Health Law Reception, March 12
HEALTH LAW AT ARIZONA LAW
Key Updates and Networking Reception
Tuesday, Mar. 12, 5-6:30 p.m.
University of Arizona College of Law Lewis Roca Rothgerber Christie Lobby 1201 E. Speedway, Tucson, AZ 85721
Courses provide students with a fundamental understanding of the laws, policies and ethics surrounding the health care industry and the development of medical products (drugs, devices, diagnostics). They are tailored for non-lawyers to be able to identify, interpret and effectively communicate the legal issues that inevitably arise in these highly regulated environments. This reception celebrates our inaugural class and will give current and prospective students the opportunity to meet each other, faculty, Arizona Law alumni, and other community leaders. Many of our students possess years of experience in health care and regulatory science as health professionals, administrators, research scientists and entrepreneurs. The faculty and guest lecturers are the result of an innovative interdisciplinary effort and they represent colleges and departments from across UA, along with international industry leaders. Faculty includes colleagues from the UA Colleges of Pharmacy, Public Health, and Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS). We will present briefly on the latest developments in these health law programs, including new course offerings in Aging Law and Policy and a welcome from Susannah Myerson, vice president of senior housing at Wells Fargo and Tucson ambassador for Aging2.0.
|
VICE News, quoting professor Andrew Coan
The Los Angeles Times, opinion by professor Robert Glennon
OZY, referencing professor Andrew Coan Arizona Public Media, discussion with professor Robert Glennon
|
John -- congratulations on completing your distinguished service on our Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals, Division 2. We look forward to seeing more of you in the halls of your law school.
|
|
|
|
![](./mar062019_files/S(1).gif) |
|