Arizona

Arizona, often called The Grand Canyon State, became an official US state on February 14, 1912, and was the last named state of the lower-48 states admitted to the union. It was originally part of New Mexico and was ceded to the US in 1848 eventually becoming its own territory in 1863.

Arizona quickly became rich when copper was discovered in the state in 1854 and copper-mining soon after followed, making it the most profitable industry through 1950. Post-WWII, the introduction of air conditioning and refrigeration led to a huge boom in population, making Phoenix one of the fastest growing US cities. The land-area of Arizona makes it the 6th largest state by area. With roughly 6.9 million inhabitants, it is the 14th largest US state by population.

The Arizona government was established by the Arizona Constitution, and it has three branches.  The Executive Branch includes the governor, his or her cabinet, and other statewide elected officials.  The Legislative branch is broken into the House of Representatives and the Senate.  The judiciary is the Arizona Supreme Court and the lower courts. 

The Arizona Supreme Court consists of 7 justices, including a chief justice and a vice-chief justice, and five other justices.  The justices are appointed by the governor from a list generated by bi-partisan committee, and the justices are confirmed by vote two years into their term. 

The Arizona Court of Appeals is the intermediate court in the state.  It is broken into two division, Division One based in Phoenix with sixteen justices, and Division Two based in Tucson.  Judges are chosen in a similar manner to Arizona Supreme Court Justices. Additionally, the state has a Superior Court, which acts as an appellate court for justice and municipal courts.  The Arizona Justice courts are nonrecord courts of limited jurisdiction with justices of the peace who are elected for four-year terms, with jurisdiction over small lawsuits ($10,000 or less) and other misdemeanor allegations.  The Arizona Municipal courts, or city courts or magistrate courts, have criminal jurisdiction over offenses committed in the areas they preside over.  These courts can issue search warrants as well as orders of protection.

Arizona is extremely diverse in race-ethnicity. In addition to Indian Tribes, Spanish, German, Chinese, Vietnamese, French, and Arabic are some of the ethnic groups living in the state. Over 10 Non-English languages are spoken, with Spanish and Native-American dialects being prominent in the state. Tribal law can be of major import in Arizona, as well as immigration law, as the state shares a border with Mexico.

The Capital city is Phoenix, the state tree is the Palo Verde, and the Cactus Wren is the state bird. Arizona’s state flower is the Saguaro Cactus Bloom. The Grand Canyon was formed over a period of roughly 3 to 6 million years over the Colorado River, and is about 227 miles long and 18 miles deep at certain points. With nearly 5 million visitors annually, the state nickname is named accordingly.

Arizona is home to many prestigious universities and law schools including: Arizona State University, the University of Arizona, and Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, Arizona State University. Arizona is also known for points of interest including: The Grand Canyon Sky Walk, Hoover Dam, Antelope Canyon, and Lake Powell.

Custom text Title Organization
Aug
18
2014
Indian Nations Law Focus - August 2014 Godfrey & Kahn S.C.
Jul
9
2014
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Approves First Settlement Stemming from the September 2011 Southwest Blackout Inquiry ArentFox Schiff LLP
Jul
8
2014
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Approves $3.25 Million Civil Penalty in Southwest Blackout Case Bracewell LLP
Jul
7
2014
Five Estate Planning Documents Every Young Professional Should Have Ryley Carlock & Applewhite, A Professional Corporation
Jul
7
2014
Constitutional Legal Updates for Government Entities Covering May and June 2014 Ryley Carlock & Applewhite, A Professional Corporation
May
23
2014
Five Things Every Arizona Employer Should Know About Medical Marijuana Ryley Carlock & Applewhite, A Professional Corporation
May
19
2014
Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) Continues its Evaluation of Distributed Generation, Net Metering Lewis Roca Rothgerber LLP
May
16
2014
Lenders Beware – The Steinberger Decision in Arizona Leaves Lenders Vulnerable to a Defaulting Homeowner's Delay Tactics Ryley Carlock & Applewhite, A Professional Corporation
May
13
2014
5 Trademark Questions Answered by a Trademark Attorney with Small- and Medium-Sized Businesses in Mind Ryley Carlock & Applewhite, A Professional Corporation
May
5
2014
Legal Updates for Government Entities Covering March and April 2014 Ryley Carlock & Applewhite, A Professional Corporation
May
3
2014
The Limits to a Receiver's Liability – Mashni v. Foster, No. 1 CA-SA 13-0250 Ryley Carlock & Applewhite, A Professional Corporation
Apr
21
2014
Arizona Anti-Deficiency Protection Cannot Be Waived Ryley Carlock & Applewhite, A Professional Corporation
Apr
20
2014
The Arizona Court of Appeals Holds the Right to a Fair Market Value Hearing Cannot be Waived in a Deficiency Action Ryley Carlock & Applewhite, A Professional Corporation
Apr
19
2014
Certain Residential Developers are Unprotected by the Anti-Deficiency Statute after Foreclosure of a Deed of Trust on Vacant Property Ryley Carlock & Applewhite, A Professional Corporation
Apr
18
2014
Arbitration Agreements are Not Enforceable if a Party Cannot Bear the Costs of Arbitration Ryley Carlock & Applewhite, A Professional Corporation
Apr
15
2014
Glendale City (Arizona) Council Softens Stance on Tohono O’Odham Casino Dickinson Wright PLLC
Apr
9
2014
Significant Changes Made by Registrar of Contractors (ROC) to its Complaint and Hearing Process Dickinson Wright PLLC
Mar
25
2014
U.S. Securities & Exchange Commision (SEC) Brings Charges Against SEC Registered Investment Adviser for Improperly Allocating Expenses and Other Violations of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP
Mar
7
2014
Timely Contest of Penalties Essential as Commission Rebuffs Late Attempt to Challenge Jackson Lewis P.C.
Feb
13
2014
D.C. Circuit Vacates FCC’s (Federal Communications Commission) Net Neutrality Rules Lewis Roca Rothgerber LLP
Feb
12
2014
Arizona Corporation Commission Recognizes Changing Landscape of Telecommunications Lewis Roca Rothgerber LLP
Jan
31
2014
Innovation and the Changing Regulation of the Electric Industry Lewis Roca Rothgerber LLP
Jan
7
2014
Governor Appoints New Director of Arizona Department of Gaming; Agency Continues Enforcement Actions Dickinson Wright PLLC
Dec
29
2013
Arizona Local Counsel Information Lewis Roca Rothgerber LLP
Dec
27
2013
Prospective Waivers of the Fair Market Value Defense Held Invalid in Arizona Court Lewis Roca Rothgerber LLP
Dec
17
2013
Homeowners in Arizona Cannot Assert Claims Against Subcontractors for Breach of Implied Warranty Dickinson Wright PLLC
Dec
15
2013
Arizona State Minimum Wage Increases Effective January 1, 2014 Jackson Lewis P.C.
Dec
5
2013
Progress on the Western Front in the Solar Net Metering Battle? Lewis Roca Rothgerber LLP
Oct
25
2013
Support for Airlines Merger Grows McDermott Will & Emery
Oct
17
2013
A Sense of Security with Orders of Protection in Arizona Dickinson Wright PLLC
Oct
11
2013
Arizona’s Broad Anti-Deficiency Protection Confirmed Dickinson Wright PLLC
Sep
28
2013
Prospective Waivers of the Fair Market Value Defense Held Invalid Lewis Roca Rothgerber LLP
Sep
13
2013
Arizona Corporation Commission Stops Looking Into Deregulation Lewis Roca Rothgerber LLP
Aug
14
2013
Savings, Solar, and Shade: Taking Advantage of Arizona's Public School District Energy Contract Statutes Dickinson Wright PLLC
Jul
11
2013
Arizona Legislature Adds New Limits on Indemnification in Public Construction Contracts Dickinson Wright PLLC
Jun
15
2013
Case For Efficiency In Deficiency Judgments: Timely Tips For Lenders Holding Arizona Real Estate As Collateral Lewis Roca Rothgerber LLP
Feb
20
2013
Tohono O’odham Nation – An Emerging Indian Gaming Juggernaut in the Desert Dickinson Wright PLLC
Feb
6
2013
Energy and Environmental Law Update - February 3, 2013 Mintz
Dec
13
2012
Outreach Agreement May Signal EEOC Focus on National Origin Discrimination Barnes & Thornburg LLP
Nov
18
2012
Court Rules That Plaintiffs Failed to Establish "Scheme Liability" in Securities Case Katten
Oct
13
2012
At Long Last, Tribal I-Gaming Is On! (Well, Sort Of…) Dickinson Wright PLLC
Sep
24
2012
EEOC Wins Rare Summary Judgment Verdict In Disability Suit Against Creative Networks U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Sep
19
2012
Mixed Ruling Upholds Arizona's 'Show Your Papers' Provision Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Sep
18
2012
FreedomWorks for America Releases Deluge of Ads Center for Public Integrity
Sep
8
2012
Federal Court Upholds Arizona’s Union Secret Ballot Amendment Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Sep
7
2012
Arizona District Court Upholds State Secret Ballot Law for Union Elections Barnes & Thornburg LLP
Aug
29
2012
Arizona Immigration Law May Take Effect Within Weeks Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Aug
24
2012
Arizona Law Enforcement Raids GNC Warehouse Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Aug
23
2012
Arizona Responds to Deferred Action Program by Blocking Privileges for DREAMers Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Aug
1
2012
Banner Health Settles EEOC Disability Discrimination Lawsuit for $255,000 U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
 

NLR Logo

We collaborate with the world's leading lawyers to deliver news tailored for you. Sign Up to receive our free e-Newsbulletins

 

Sign Up for e-NewsBulletins