Rebecca White Berch


Rebecca White Berch is a former justice of the Arizona Supreme Court. On July 1, 2009, she began a five-year term as the court's Chief Justice, a position to which she was elected by her peers on the court. As chief justice, she succeeded Ruth McGregor. She concluded her service as Arizona's Chief Justice in July 2014 when she passed the gavel to new Chief Justice Scott Bales. Berch had been a justice of the state's highest court since March 2002, when she was appointed to the court by Republican governor Jane Dee Hull. Justice Berch retired in September 2015.

Education

She earned a B.S., J.D., and M.A. all from Arizona State University.

Professional career

Justice Berch began her career as an Associate and Partner with the firm McGroder, Tryon, Heller, Rayes & Berch, 1979-1985 before serving as Director, Legal Writing Program, Arizona State University College of Law, from 1986–1991, and 1994-1995. She served as Solicitor General for the State of Arizona, from 1991–1994, as Special Counsel to the Arizona Attorney General from 1995–1996 and as First Assistant Arizona Attorney General from 1996-1998.
Justice Berch joined the bench as a Judge on the Arizona Court of Appeals, Division I, from April 1998- March 2002. She served as a justice of the Arizona Supreme Court in April 2002 - June 2005 before becoming Vice Chief Justice in June 2005. Justice Berch retired from the Supreme Court in September 2015.

Awards and associations

Awards