Judge Christopher Whitten: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

Maricopa County Superior Court, Department 303

Appointed By: Gov. Janet A. Napolitano

Biography

Hon. Christopher T. Whitten is a judge for the Maricopa County Superior Court in Arizona. He was appointed to the bench by former Governor Janet Napolitano in 2006.

During his judicial tenure, Whitten has held assignments in the Juvenile, Tax, Family, Criminal, and Civil Courts. He also served as presiding judge of the Tax Department. In addition, Whitten has presided as a judge pro tempore of the Arizona Court of Appeals.

Prior to his appointment, he worked in private practice in Phoenix. During that time, he was an attorney at Whitten Berry, PLLC (1999 to 2006) and Holloway, Odegard & Sweeney (1996 to 1999).

He was a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates and was certified by the Arizona State Bar as a specialist in injury and wrongful death litigation.

Before working in the private sector, Whitten was a deputy county attorney with the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office (1993 to 1996).

He also taught as an adjunct professor at several law schools, including the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, Louisiana State University School of Law, the University of San Diego School of Law, Emory University School of Law, and the Arizona Summit Law School. In addition, Whitten has trained judges and lawyers in four of Mexico’s states, worked on trial skills with solicitors in Ireland, and also worked with lawyers in Myanmar, judges in Egypt, and law professors in Japan.

Whitten received a B.S. in business marketing from the University of Arizona in 1988. He then completed a J.D. at the University of San Diego University School of Law in 1991.

After graduating from law school, he began his legal career as a law clerk to the Hon. John L. Claborne with the Arizona Court of Appeals (1991 to 1993).

His memberships have included the Arizona Judges Association (Board of Directors), the Arizona-Mexico Commission, the Arizona Supreme Court’s Commission for Victims in the Courts, and the State Bar of Arizona.

Whitten was a past chair of the American Bar Association’s National Conference of State Trial Judges and served as the Judicial Division representative on its House of Delegates. He also sat as a member of the ABA Nominations Committee.

In addition, Whitten was chair of the Commission on the American Jury and Judicial Divisions liaison to the Section of Litigation Council and was also a liaison to the Coalition for Justice, the Trial Court Time Standards Committee, and the Advisory Group for Language Access to State Courts. His other committee memberships included the Empirical Research Steering Committee of the Civil Jury Project at New York University.

From a civic standpoint, he has sat on the Board of Directors of the Foundation for Blind Children, the Arizona School for the Arts, the Brophy Lacrosse Club, the University of San Diego School of Law Alumni Board, and the Recreational Association of Madison Meadows and Simis. Whitten was also a past president and board member of the St. Thomas More Society.

Whitten and his wife, Ann, have two sons. He and his sons were part of a team that led several blind hikers on a twenty-four-mile hike across the Grand Canyon.

Recent Cases by Hon. Christopher Whitten

Cody James Bensonvs G R E Management L L C

On February 20, 2026 a civil case was filed in the jurisdiction of Maricopa County. Judge Christopher Whitten presiding.

Filed

Feb 20, 2026

Judge

Hon. Christopher Whitten 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Christopher Whitten

Court

Maricopa County

County

Maricopa County, AZ

Case #

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Court Category

Civil

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 20, 2026

Melissa Howellvs America West Lender Services L L C

On February 19, 2026 a civil case was filed in the jurisdiction of Maricopa County. Judge Christopher Whitten presiding.

Filed

Feb 19, 2026

Judge

Hon. Christopher Whitten 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Christopher Whitten

Court

Maricopa County

County

Maricopa County, AZ

Case #

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Court Category

Civil

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 19, 2026

Vanessa Hatchervs F C A, U S, L L C

On February 19, 2026 a civil case was filed in the jurisdiction of Maricopa County. Judge Christopher Whitten presiding.

Filed

Feb 19, 2026

Judge

Hon. Christopher Whitten 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Christopher Whitten

Court

Maricopa County

County

Maricopa County, AZ

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Court Category

Civil

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 20, 2026

Joseph Dwyervs Cortney E Kinney

On February 18, 2026 a civil case was filed in the jurisdiction of Maricopa County. Judge Christopher Whitten presiding.

Filed

Feb 18, 2026

Judge

Hon. Christopher Whitten 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Christopher Whitten

Court

Maricopa County

County

Maricopa County, AZ

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Civil

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 19, 2026

Paula Konczvs Michael Scott Pribble

On February 18, 2026 a civil case was filed in the jurisdiction of Maricopa County. Judge Christopher Whitten presiding.

Filed

Feb 18, 2026

Judge

Hon. Christopher Whitten 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Christopher Whitten

Court

Maricopa County

County

Maricopa County, AZ

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Civil

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 19, 2026

John Johnson Cristosvs State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company

On February 18, 2026 a civil case was filed in the jurisdiction of Maricopa County. Judge Christopher Whitten presiding.

Filed

Feb 18, 2026

Judge

Hon. Christopher Whitten 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Christopher Whitten

Court

Maricopa County

County

Maricopa County, AZ

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Civil

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 19, 2026

James Arthur Warrenfeltzvs Andres Samuel Contreras

On February 17, 2026 a civil case was filed in the jurisdiction of Maricopa County. Judge Christopher Whitten presiding.

Filed

Feb 17, 2026

Judge

Hon. Christopher Whitten 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Christopher Whitten

Court

Maricopa County

County

Maricopa County, AZ

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Court Category

Civil

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 18, 2026

Seth Smithvs U S A A Casualty Insurance Company

On February 17, 2026 a civil case was filed in the jurisdiction of Maricopa County. Judge Christopher Whitten presiding.

Filed

Feb 17, 2026

Judge

Hon. Christopher Whitten 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Christopher Whitten

Court

Maricopa County

County

Maricopa County, AZ

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Court Category

Civil

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 18, 2026

Joochul Kimvs Theodore James Green

On February 17, 2026 a civil case was filed in the jurisdiction of Maricopa County. Judge Christopher Whitten presiding.

Filed

Feb 17, 2026

Judge

Hon. Christopher Whitten 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Christopher Whitten

Court

Maricopa County

County

Maricopa County, AZ

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Court Category

Civil

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 18, 2026

Christine Ann Dittrichvs Donna Audette Deschenes

On February 17, 2026 a civil case was filed in the jurisdiction of Maricopa County. Judge Christopher Whitten presiding.

Filed

Feb 17, 2026

Judge

Hon. Christopher Whitten 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Christopher Whitten

Court

Maricopa County

County

Maricopa County, AZ

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Court Category

Civil

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 18, 2026

Dobbins Crossing Homeowners Association Of Phoenixvs Jalon Tutera

On February 17, 2026 a civil case was filed in the jurisdiction of Maricopa County. Judge Christopher Whitten presiding.

Filed

Feb 17, 2026

Judge

Hon. Christopher Whitten 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Christopher Whitten

Court

Maricopa County

County

Maricopa County, AZ

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Court Category

Civil

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 19, 2026

Magdalena Llamasvs Tina Michelle Fliegel

On February 17, 2026 a civil case was filed in the jurisdiction of Maricopa County. Judge Christopher Whitten presiding.

Filed

Feb 17, 2026

Judge

Hon. Christopher Whitten 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Christopher Whitten

Court

Maricopa County

County

Maricopa County, AZ

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Court Category

Civil

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 19, 2026

E B F Holdings L L Cvs Four Fingers L L C

On February 16, 2026 a civil case was filed in the jurisdiction of Maricopa County. Judge Christopher Whitten presiding.

Filed

Feb 16, 2026

Judge

Hon. Christopher Whitten 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Christopher Whitten

Court

Maricopa County

County

Maricopa County, AZ

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Court Category

Civil

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 18, 2026

David Malakovvs Bruce Jeffrey Sussman

On February 14, 2026 a civil case was filed in the jurisdiction of Maricopa County. Judge Christopher Whitten presiding.

Filed

Feb 14, 2026

Judge

Hon. Christopher Whitten 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Christopher Whitten

Court

Maricopa County

County

Maricopa County, AZ

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Court Category

Civil

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 17, 2026

State Farm Fire And Casualty Companyvs Right Way Roofing Inc

On February 13, 2026 a civil case was filed in the jurisdiction of Maricopa County. Judge Christopher Whitten presiding.

Filed

Feb 13, 2026

Judge

Hon. Christopher Whitten 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Christopher Whitten

Court

Maricopa County

County

Maricopa County, AZ

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Court Category

Civil

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 14, 2026

Heather Ann Valdesvs James Michael Kimes

On February 13, 2026 a civil case was filed in the jurisdiction of Maricopa County. Judge Christopher Whitten presiding.

Filed

Feb 13, 2026

Judge

Hon. Christopher Whitten 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Christopher Whitten

Court

Maricopa County

County

Maricopa County, AZ

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Court Category

Civil

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 17, 2026

Wesley Roland Davisvs Property Hub Realty

On February 13, 2026 a civil case was filed in the jurisdiction of Maricopa County. Judge Christopher Whitten presiding.

Filed

Feb 13, 2026

Judge

Hon. Christopher Whitten 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Christopher Whitten

Court

Maricopa County

County

Maricopa County, AZ

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Court Category

Civil

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 18, 2026

Yanan Tianvs Brother Trans Inc

On February 13, 2026 a civil case was filed in the jurisdiction of Maricopa County. Judge Christopher Whitten presiding.

Filed

Feb 13, 2026

Judge

Hon. Christopher Whitten 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Christopher Whitten

Court

Maricopa County

County

Maricopa County, AZ

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Court Category

Civil

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 17, 2026

Carolyn Artis Trustvs Higinio Aguilar Jimenez

On February 12, 2026 a civil case was filed in the jurisdiction of Maricopa County. Judge Christopher Whitten presiding.

Filed

Feb 12, 2026

Judge

Hon. Christopher Whitten 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Christopher Whitten

Court

Maricopa County

County

Maricopa County, AZ

Case #

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Court Category

Civil

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 13, 2026

Hector Hernandezvs Zachary Chase

On February 11, 2026 a civil case was filed in the jurisdiction of Maricopa County. Judge Christopher Whitten presiding.

Filed

Feb 11, 2026

Judge

Hon. Christopher Whitten 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Christopher Whitten

Court

Maricopa County

County

Maricopa County, AZ

Case #

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Court Category

Civil

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 12, 2026

Ricky Aydelottvs Keith Larson

On February 11, 2026 a civil case was filed in the jurisdiction of Maricopa County. Judge Christopher Whitten presiding.

Filed

Feb 11, 2026

Judge

Hon. Christopher Whitten 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Christopher Whitten

Court

Maricopa County

County

Maricopa County, AZ

Case #

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Court Category

Civil

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 13, 2026

Sentry Storage L L Cvs Town Of Queen Creek

On February 11, 2026 a civil case was filed in the jurisdiction of Maricopa County. Judge Christopher Whitten presiding.

Filed

Feb 11, 2026

Judge

Hon. Christopher Whitten 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Christopher Whitten

Court

Maricopa County

County

Maricopa County, AZ

Case #

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Court Category

Civil

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 12, 2026

S C R Joint Venture L Pvs Paul Diaz

On February 11, 2026 a civil case was filed in the jurisdiction of Maricopa County. Judge Christopher Whitten presiding.

Filed

Feb 11, 2026

Judge

Hon. Christopher Whitten 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Christopher Whitten

Court

Maricopa County

County

Maricopa County, AZ

Case #

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Court Category

Civil

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 13, 2026

United Services Automobile Associationvs Super Home California Inc

On February 10, 2026 a civil case was filed in the jurisdiction of Maricopa County. Judge Christopher Whitten presiding.

Filed

Feb 10, 2026

Judge

Hon. Christopher Whitten 👉 Discover key insights by exploring more analytics for Christopher Whitten

Court

Maricopa County

County

Maricopa County, AZ

Case #

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Court Category

Civil

Case Last Refreshed

Feb 11, 2026

About

Christopher Whitten
Current Appointment Maricopa County Superior Court, Department 303	Maricopa County Superior Court, Department 303
Election/Appointment November 3, 2020 - Re-elected November 8, 2016 - Re-elected November 6, 2012 - Re-elected	November 3, 2020 - Re-elected November 8, 2016 - Re-elected November 6, 2012 - Re-elected
Previous Appointment Arizona Court of Appeals	Arizona Court of Appeals
Education J.D., University of San Diego University School of Law - 1991 B.S., University of Arizona - 1988	J.D., University of San Diego University School of Law - 1991 B.S., University of Arizona - 1988

Court Info

Court Info
Current Court:	AZ - Maricopa County Superior Court
Previous Court:	AZ - Arizona Court of Appeals
Clerk phone:	+1 (602) 372-5375
Office:	+1 (602) 372-1164

Career History

Career History
Role	Employer	Where
Attorney	Whitten Berry, PLLC	Maricopa County, Arizona
Attorney	Holloway, Odegard & Sweeney	Maricopa County, Arizona
Deputy County Attorney	Maricopa County Attorney's Office	Maricopa County, Arizona
Law Clerk	Arizona Court of Appeals with the Hon. John L. Claborne	None
Judge	Maricopa County Superior Court	Maricopa County, Arizona
Judge Pro Tempore	Arizona Court of Appeals	None