Opinion
Administrative Order No. 2011-100
September 26, 2011.
Rule 33, Arizona Rules of the Supreme Court, provides that the Supreme Court shall appoint members to the Arizona Supreme Court Committee on Character and Fitness; members are appointed for a seven-year term and are not eligible for reappointment. Rule 33 is silent regarding the appointment of the chair of the Committee. In contrast, the rules governing other Supreme Court committees specify that the Chief Justice shall select the chair from among the appointed members and shall appoint the chair to serve in that capacity for a multi-year term.
On November 14, 2006, via Administrative Order No. 2006-104, the Court appointed John Tuchi to the Committee. Mr. Tuchi has now served five years of his seven-year term as an attorney member of the Committee.
There have been significant changes to the attorney admissions process in recent years, and additional changes are currently under consideration by the Committee and the Court. Appointment of the Committee chair by the Chief Justice for a multi-year term will more fully utilize the knowledge and expertise of the members, assist in the transition and continuity of leadership, and provide for consistency across Court committees. Therefore, after due consideration,
IT IS ORDERED that John Tuchi is appointed chair of the Committee on Character and Fitness, effective November 1, 2011. Mr. Tuchi will serve as chair until expiration of his term as a member of the Committee on October 31, 2013.
Dated this 26th day of September, 2011.