Ruth V. McGregor

Chief Justice Ruth McGregor served on the Arizona Supreme Court from February 1998 until June 30, 2009. She was the Court’s Chief Justice from June 2005 until her retirement. She served on the Arizona Court of Appeals from 1989 until 1998, including a term as Chief Judge from 1995 to 1997. Before her appointment to the bench, Justice McGregor engaged in the private practice of law as a member of the Fennemore law firm in Phoenix, Arizona, where she was the firm’s first female partner. She served as law clerk to Justice Sandra Day O’Connor during Justice O’Connor’s first term on the United States Supreme Court.

Justice McGregor has participated extensively in professional activities, particularly in those organizations dedicated to assuring a fair and impartial judiciary. Among other activities, she served as an officer and a member of the Board of Trustees for the American Inns of Court Foundation, the National Association of Women Judges and Justice at Stake; as a board member of the Conference of Chief Justices, the American Judicature Society, and the Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System; and as a member of the Legal Council of the American Bar Association Section of Legal Education and Admission to the Bar, including a term as Chair.

Since her retirement, in addition to chairing several commissions for the Arizona Supreme Court, she has completed a number of investigations for public entities and acted as a special master for the United States District Court for the District of Arizona, as mediator for the City of Phoenix in public transit disputes, and as special administrator for the Arizona Supreme Court.

Justice McGregor received a Bachelor of Arts degree, summa cum laude, and a Master of Arts degree from the University of Iowa. She received her Doctor of Jurisprudence degree, summa cum laude, from the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University and a Master of Laws degree from the University of Virginia.