FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 23, 2011
Contact: Matthew Benson, Office of the Governor
Phone: 602.542.1342
Email: mbenson@az.gov

Governor Brewer Announces Appointment of Superior Court Judge in Maricopa County

PHOENIX - Arizona Governor Jan Brewer today announced the appointment of Mark H. Brain to the Maricopa County Superior Court.

Commissioner Brain has served since 2006 as a Court Commissioner for the Maricopa County Superior Court, where he presides over juvenile cases. He received his undergraduate degree in Physics from Iowa State University in 1985, and graduated from the University of Michigan School of Law in 1988. Commissioner Brain was admitted to the State Bar of Arizona later that same year. Prior to his appointment as a Court Commissioner, he worked for the law firm Fennemore Craig from 1988 to 2002, and the law firm Peshkin & Kotalik from 2002 to 2006, where he specialized in civil matters.

"Commissioner Brain has had an impressive career in private practice and as a court commissioner," said Governor Brewer. "His wide breadth of legal practice and judicial experience makes him well-qualified to be a superior court judge."

This court appointment was made to fill the vacancy created by the untimely passing of the Honorable Pendleton Gaines, who was a former colleague of Commissioner Brain's at Fennemore Craig.

Commissioner Brain is reflective of Governor Brewer's continued effort to identify and appoint judges who share her philosophy that judges should strictly interpret and apply the laws as written.

"Commissioner Brain's values and integrity were instilled in him as a young boy raised on a farm in Iowa that is still owned and operated by his family," said Governor Brewer. "I am honored to appoint Commissioner Brain to the Maricopa County Superior Court and I am confident he will serve the citizens well."

About the State Bar
The State Bar of Arizona is a non-profit organization that operates under the supervision of the Arizona Supreme Court.

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