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Soto, James Alan

Born 1950 in Nogales, AZ

Federal Judicial Service:
Judge, U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona
Nominated by Barack Obama on January 6, 2014, to a seat vacated by David C. Bury. Confirmed by the Senate on May 15, 2014, and received commission on June 9, 2014. Assumed senior status on July 1, 2024.

Education:
Arizona State University, B.S., 1971
Arizona State University College of Law (now Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law), J.D., 1975

Professional Career:

Arizona National Guard, 1971-1977
Deputy city attorney (part-time), Nogales, Arizona, 1975-1983
Town attorney (part-time), Patagonia, Arizona, 1975-1992
Private practice, Nogales, Arizona, 1975-2001
Deputy county attorney (part-time), Santa Cruz County, Arizona, 1979
Presiding judge, Arizona Superior Court, Santa Cruz County, 2001-2014

Other Nominations/Recess Appointments:

Nominated to U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona, December 19, 2013; no Senate vote