University of Arizona Law to Host Arizona Supreme Court Arguments Nov. 5

Oct. 14, 2019
As part of its ongoing public education effort, the Arizona Supreme Court will be holding arguments at the University of Arizona on Nov. 5.  
 
The justices have identified two cases to be presented, and attorneys representing each side will be given 20 minutes to present their arguments. After the second case, the justices will take questions from the audience, as long as those questions do not pertain to the case or cases they just heard.   
 
When: Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2019, 2-4 p.m. Guests for case 1 must arrive no later than 1:15 p.m. in order to go through security screening. Check-in for case 2 starts at 2:15 p.m. There is no courtroom entry once court is in session.  
 
Where: Ares Auditorium, Room 164, University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law, 1201 E. Speedway Blvd. 
 
Who may attend: Seating is limited and available to those who have registered prior to the event. Members of the public are welcome on a first-come, first-served basis as remaining space allows.   
 
Note that food and beverages are not permitted past security. 
 
REGISTER FOR THIS EVENT 
 
The two cases are: 
 
2-2:40 p.m. 
Hwal'Bay Ba J Enterprises Inc. v Hon. Jantzen/Fox, CV-19-0123-PR 
Summary: This case raises the question of whether a business owned by a tribal government shares the government's defense of sovereign immunity.
3-3:40 p.m.  
Johnson Utilities LLC v Arizona Corporation et al, CV-19-0105-PR 
Summary: In 2018, the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) appointed an interim manager to replace the manager of Johnson Utilities--a public company that provides water and wastewater--responding to concerns from Johnson's customers regarding health and safety as well as unfair billing practices. In its action at the court of appeals, Johnson was denied relief; Johnson filed a petition for review in the Supreme Court of Arizona, requesting the Court find the ACC exceeded its constitutional authority in rate-making and its statutory authority to regulate public utility companies. The ACC argues it acted within its statutory authority, constitutional rate-making authority, and its permissive authority to enforce rules and regulations for the "convenience, comfort, and safety" of public service company patrons.
The oral arguments will be archived for later viewing on the Arizona Supreme Court website.
 
This visit is hosted by the William H. Rehnquist Center at the James E. Rogers College of Law. 

 

 

With questions about access or to request any disability-related accommodations that will facilitate your full participation in this event such as ASL interpreting, CART captioning, captioned videos, Braille, wheelchair access, or electronic text, etc., please contact Bernadette Wilkinson.    

Event Contact: Bernadette Wilkinson, senior program coordinator, UA James E. Rogers College of Law, 520-626-1629, bwilkins@email.arizona.edu.