James B. Morse Jr. was appointed to the Arizona Court of Appeals, Division One by Governor Douglas Ducey and began service on the Court of Appeals on November 6, 2017. Prior to his appointment, Judge Morse spent nearly 10 years with the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona. Judge Morse graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree, magna cum laude, in Political Science from Arizona State University in 1991. He earned his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Virginia in 1995.

Court of Appeals Division One > Court Information > Judges > James B. Morse

James Morse Jr. earned a bachelor's degree in political science, magna cum laude, from Arizona State University and a law degree from the University of Virginia.

James B. Morse Jr. was appointed to the Arizona Court of Appeals, Division One by Governor Douglas Ducey and began service on the Court of Appeals on November 6, 2017. Prior to his appointment, Judge Morse spent nearly 10 years with the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona, where he served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force, a Deputy Section Chief and Section Chief in the Southwest Border Crimes Unit, and as the Government Ethics Advisor.

Prior to his appointment, Judge Morse spent nearly 10 years with the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona. Judge Morse also worked in the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office where he served as a Deputy County Attorney and as an Assistant Bureau Chief. Judge Morse previously worked as a Law Clerk for United States District Judge James A. Teilborg, and as an associate at Snell & Wilmer in Phoenix, and Baker & Botts in Dallas.

James previously worked as an Assistant U.S. Attorney, Deputy Section Chief, Section Chief, and Government Ethics Advisor in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona. He also worked as a deputy county attorney and assistant bureau chief in the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, as a law clerk for U.S. District Judge James A. Teilborg, and as an associate at Snell & Wilmer and Baker & Botts.

James B. Morse Jr. was appointed to the Arizona Court of Appeals, Division One by Governor Douglas Ducey and began service on the Court of Appeals on November 6, 2017. Prior to his appointment, Judge Morse spent nearly 10 years with the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona.

James was appointed to the Arizona Court of Appeals, Division One, and began service on November 6, 2017.

James was appointed to the Arizona Court of Appeals, Division One, and began service in 2017.

2026 Arizona General Election

As of October 12, 2026, James Morse Jr. did not have a website or any information online.

Ethics & Conduct

Served nearly 10 years in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona, including as an assistant U.S. attorney, border-crimes unit leader, and government ethics advisor.

Served in the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office as a deputy county attorney and assistant bureau chief.

Worked as a legal associate at Snell & Wilmer in Phoenix and Baker & Botts in Dallas.

- Served nearly 10 years in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona, including as an assistant U.S. attorney, border-crimes unit leader, and government ethics advisor.
- Served in the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office as a deputy county attorney and assistant bureau chief.
- Worked as a legal associate at Snell & Wilmer in Phoenix and Baker & Botts in Dallas.

Legal Experience

Meets the Arizona Judicial Peformance Review (JPR) standards.

- Meets the Arizona Judicial Peformance Review (JPR) standards.

Judicial Administration

Judicial Philosophy

Community Involvement

James Morse Jr.

As of October 12, 2026, James Morse Jr.’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Isaac Brickman

Walter Ley

- The Court of Appeals Judge reviews proceedings that occurred in the trial courts for errors of law or legal procedure. They decide if the trial court correctly applied the law to the case.
- The Court of Appeals Judge deals with a majority of cases appealed from the Superior and District courts in civil and criminal cases.
- They are the only intermediate appellate court in the state, meaning they are the only court that sits between lower courts and the state Supreme Court.
- The court decides the cases that come before it in panels of three judges.
- 22 judges are elected in non-partisan elections. 
- They are paid an annual salary of $73,543.

Judge who hears appeals on decisions made by lower courts in Arizona.