Three new appointees to Pima County Superior Court
- May 9, 2013
Governor Jan Brewer appointed attorneys Sean Earl Brearcliffe, Michael Joseph Butler and Brenden James Griffin to the Pima County Superior Court.
These three appointments were made to fill vacancies created by the retirement of Judge Terry L. Chandler and Judge Jan E. Kearney, and the appointment of Judge Michael O. Miller to Division Two of the Arizona Court of Appeals.
Since joining the firm in 1998, Brearcliffe has become a partner and an owner of Rusing Lopez & Lizardi. He previously worked in the law office of Richard Burris (1996-1998). Brearcliffe’s primary areas of practice include commercial litigation; cases involving construction, insurance and personal injury issues; and appellate matters.
In addition to his legal experience, Brearcliffe was a member of the Pantano Rotary Club (2001-10), where he also served as President (2004-05). He also served as Treasurer of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tucson (1999-05) and Chairman of the Rules Committee for the Pima County Bar Association and chaired three reappointment committees for U.S. District Court Magistrate positions.
Brearcliffe is a veteran of the United States Air Force (1983-1989). In 2006, he was awarded a Certificate of Recognition for his service in the Cold War. He graduated from the Golden Gate University School of Law (1995) and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from California State University East Bay (1991). Brearcliffe has been licensed to practice law in Arizona since 1996.
Butler has been a senior partner at Butler, Oden & Jackson since 2009. While the majority of his practice focuses on real estate and business dispute litigation matters, he also handles transactional matters and general business consulting. Previously, he worked for Butler & Associates (2007-09); Collins Butler (2003-07); the Law Office of Michael Butler (2000-03); the Law Office of George Feulner (1996-2000); Brown & Bain (1994-96); and as an Arizona Supreme Court Clerk for The Honorable Fred Martone (1993-94).
Mr. Butler has participated in the Volunteer Lawyers Program since 2008. He also served on the Board of Governors for St. Michael’s Parish Day School (2005-08). He was nominated Tucson Paramedic of the Year four years in a row.
Butler has been licensed to practice law in Arizona since 1993. He graduated Order of the Coif from the University of Arizona School of Law (summa cum laude) in 1993, and received his undergraduate degree in Business Administration from the University of Arizona in 1990.
Griffin has worked as a partner with the law firm of Gabroy, Rollman & Bosse, P.C. since 2011. Previously, Griffin worked for Lewis & Roca (1996-2010); Pillsbury, Madison & Sutro (1995-96) and served as Law Clerk for the Illinois Appellate Court (1994-95). Since 2011, Griffin has served as a Judge Pro Tempore for the Pima County Superior Court.
Additionally, Griffin has served as Vice President of Catholic Community Services (2005-07) and is involved with the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern Arizona. He works with several law-related associations, including as a member of the Pima County Bar Association board. The Tucson branch of the National Association of Legal Support Professionals honored him with the “Boss of the Year” award.
Griffin graduated Order of the Coif from the University of San Diego School of Law (1994), where he received six American Jurisprudence awards for obtaining the top grade in various courses. He also received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of San Diego in Business Administration/International Relations (1991).