Governor Jan Brewer today appointed Court Commissioner Joan Sinclair to the Maricopa County Superior Court. The Governor’s appointment of Joan Sinclair fills the opening created by the recent appointment of Judge Samuel Thumma to the Arizona Court of Appeals.
“With more than two decades of courtroom experience in Arizona, Joan is well-rounded and well-suited for this important judicial role,” said Governor Brewer. “Her strong background in both civil and criminal law – in addition to an obvious affinity for public service – will be a valuable asset to both the court and community.”
Commissioner Sinclair has been a Maricopa County Superior Court Commissioner since 2006. She originally presided over initial appearances in criminal matters and has been assigned to juvenile court since the end of 2007.
Commissioner Sinclair has been licensed to practice law in Arizona since 1995. She also is a member of the New York and Georgia state bars. Prior to serving as a Court Commissioner for Maricopa County, Ms. Sinclair worked for several years in Atlanta, Ga., where her roles included: Social Security Disability Litigation Unit; Federal Highway Administration; and Dekalb County Juvenile Court Solicitor’s Office.
Since earning her license to practice in Arizona, Commissioner Sinclair served as a Maricopa County Attorney and worked for the Arizona Death Penalty Judicial Assistance Program. She also clerked for Chief Justice Bud Jones in the Arizona Supreme Court and practiced at firms Meagher & Geer and Dodge Anderson.
Additional noteworthy qualifications include service on the Arizona State Bar’s Criminal Jury Instruction Committee (1998-2000) and a recent appointment to the State Bar’s disciplinary panel. Ms. Sinclair graduated from the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Law (1986). She received her undergraduate degree from Le Moyne College (1983).