James A. Soto | |
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.jpg) Soto in 2014 | |
| Senior Judge of theUnited States District Court for the District of Arizona | |
| Assumed office July 1, 2024 | |
| Judge of theUnited States District Court for the District of Arizona | |
| In office June 9, 2014 – July 1, 2024 | |
| Appointed by | Barack Obama |
| Preceded by | David C. Bury |
| Succeeded by | Angela M. Martinez |
| Judge of theSanta Cruz County Superior Court | |
| In office 2001–2014 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1950-07-01)July 1, 1950 (age 74)[1] Nogales, Arizona, U.S.[2] |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Education | Arizona State University (BS,JD) |
James Alan Soto (born July 1, 1950) is aseniorUnited States district judge of theUnited States District Court for the District of Arizona and former Arizona state court judge.
Soto received aBachelor of Science degree in 1971 fromArizona State University. He received aJuris Doctor in 1975 fromArizona State University College of Law. From 1975 to 1976, he worked in the law office of Nasib Karam. From 1976 to 1979, he was a sole practitioner of law. From 1979 to 1992, he was associated with various law partnerships. From 1992 to 2001, he was a shareholder of Soto, Martin and Coogan, P.C. Concurrently with his private practice, he held a number of public positions. From 1975 to 1983, he worked as a part-time deputy city attorney in the Office of theNogales City Attorney. He worked as a part-time town attorney inPatagonia, Arizona in from 1975 to 1992. He worked as a part-time deputy county attorney for theSanta Cruz County Attorney's Office in 1979. From 2001 to 2014, Soto served on the Superior Court in Santa Cruz County, where he also served as presiding superior court judge.[3] Soto was elected to the bench as aDemocrat.[4]
On December 19, 2013, PresidentBarack Obama nominated Soto to serve as a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the District of Arizona, to the seat vacated by JudgeDavid C. Bury, who assumedsenior status on December 31, 2012.[5] On February 27 2014, his nomination was reported out of the committee.[6] On May 13, 2014, Senate Majority LeaderHarry Reid filed forcloture on his nomination. On May 15, 2014,United States Senate invokedcloture on his nomination by a 61–35 vote.[7] Later that same day, his nomination was confirmed by a 93–1 vote.[8] He received his judicial commission on June 9, 2014. He assumedsenior status on July 1, 2024.[9]
| Legal offices | ||
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| Preceded by | Judge of theUnited States District Court for the District of Arizona 2014–2024 | Succeeded by |
