Kathryn Hackett King

Biography

As a native Arizonan, I have always been proud of my Arizona roots. I was born and raised in Phoenix. I have fond childhood memories of traveling to Pinetop in the summer and visiting family in Tucson. Over the years, I came to appreciate Arizona’s spirit and fortitude that fostered my desire to pursue public service in this state.

I briefly left Arizona to pursue my undergraduate degree from Duke University. After graduating from Duke, I attended law school at the University of Arizona, where I served in my first official legal writing role as a Note and Comment Editor for the Arizona Journal of International and Comparative Law.

My legal education inspired me to pursue a position as a law clerk to Justice Michael D. Ryan at the Arizona Supreme Court. I am forever grateful to Justice Ryan for this experience. It gave me an inside look into the integral role the Arizona Supreme Court plays within our system of government, as well as the legal writing and analysis essential to the role of a Justice.

I began my career in private law practice as an attorney at Snell & Wilmer, where I practiced in the areas of labor and employment law and commercial litigation. I represented clients in both state and federal court, drafted legal documents, and advised on legal compliance matters. I still, however, made time to serve by representing clients on a pro bono basis. In 2011, for example, I received the Volunteer Lawyers Program Consumer Litigator of the Year Award for my pro bono representation of an individual client in a contractual and employment dispute.

As I was starting my family, I was offered the opportunity to serve the State of Arizona as Deputy General Counsel in the Governor’s Office. In this role, I advised on various constitutional, statutory, and other legal requirements of the Governor’s Office. This position instilled in me a deeper understanding of the constitutional role of each branch of government.

A few years later, I returned to private law practice as a Partner at BurnsBarton, where I once again represented clients in state and federal court.

In 2021, I was appointed to the Arizona Supreme Court by Governor Doug Ducey. It is a tremendous honor to serve on this Court.

Prior to my appointment, my dedication to this state inspired me to serve Arizona citizens through other positions in state government, including on the Arizona Civil Rights Advisory Board and the Arizona Board of Regents. I have also enjoyed presenting at various events and seminars, such as those hosted by the State Bar of Arizona, the Arizona Women Lawyers Association, the Arizona Foundation for Legal Services and Education, and various high school and elementary school groups, to name a few.

My greatest accomplishment is my role as a wife and mother. My husband is also an Arizona native and a practicing attorney, and we have two children who are in elementary school. My favorite way to spend free time is supporting our children in school, participating in their school and community activities, and cheering them on in sports.

Opinions

Below are links to all of the opinions I have authored as a member of the Arizona Supreme Court